The Governing of Corporate Social Responsibility: The Role of the Regulator.

Abstract

This research explores the role of the regulator in the governing of corporate social responsibility. In order to achieve this, extant literature on the concept, debates and role of government was reviewed in order to identify the gap in knowledge posed by the research question “What is the role of the Regulator in the governing of orporate Social Responsibility?”. A force field analysis was used to develop the conceptual framework upon which the research was built. To answer the research question, qualitative data was gathered using the semi-structured interview method from four respondents. The interviews were transcribed using MAXQDA and analysed and a deductive research approach was used to identify recurring themes from the responses given by the interviewees. Given the nature of the research, an interpretivist research philosophy was employed. The research found that CSR as a moral obligation and as a business strategy are inextricably interdependent, secondly that there is no optimal level of regulatory involvement in CSR, it depends on the industry and finally that the pathway to a more socially responsible business lies in education over regulation. The implications of the findings were discussed, limitations of the research identified and recommendations for further research as well as the use of the findings in practice were given.