CSR in the auto industry: Do the first-tier suppliers have stakeholders?

URL:

Abstract:

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an increasingly important construct for corporate strategies, notably in the automotive industry. This article tries to identify which factors might induce first-tier suppliers to commit to socially responsible practices. Rooted in a stakeholder approach, we analyse in what way customers, civil society, employees, Socially Responsible Investors (SRIs) and state authorities affect first-tier suppliers. We will demonstrate that these traditional stakeholders have little influence on companies. The conclusion will argue that the analyticalframework should be broadened to include the meso-economic level. © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.