Abstract
The ubiquity of the term CSR threatens its carrying any distinctive meaning. Despite its long history no consensus has been developed among the industry participants, academics or other interested parties. After a careful review of the complications and complexities of the CSR debate and distinct disciplinary definitions, the article turns to approach the problem of definition using the philosophy of science. It applies a scientific definitional approach of genus, differentia and species to arrive at a definition of CSR as international private business self-regulation. The article provides an overview of the implications of this definition on CSR as a field of study, a management practice and an approach to improving the dialogue concerning the social contribution of business.
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Notes
This is not to say there is no new knowledge. New knowledge in CSR would primarily involve innovation resulting from the implementation process. That, however, is a different thing from taking the position that CSR itself is a knowledge creation enterprise like other sciences or research endeavours.
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Appendix
Appendix
Partial Listing of International and Transnational Law Norms
United Nations Conventions and Treaties
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1.
United Nations Human Rights Council, A/HRC/17/31, 21 March 2011, Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations Protect, Respect and Remedy Framework, http://www.ohchr.org/documents/issues/business/A.HRC.17.31.pdf.
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2.
United Nations, General Assembly resolution 217 A (III), 10 December 1948, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/.
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3.
United Nations, General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI), 16 December 1966, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; United Nations, General Assembly resolution 2200A (XXI), 16 December 1966, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
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4.
United Nations, General Assembly resolution A/61/L.67 and Add.1, March 2008, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, Art. 8, 10, 25 and 26, http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/DRIPS_en.pdf.
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5.
United Nations Human Rights Council, Resolution 7/14, 27 March 2008, The Right to Food, http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/E/HRC/resolutions/A_HRC_RES_7_14.pdf.
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6.
United Nations, A/HRC/4/18, December 2007, Basic Principles and Guidelines on Development-based Evictions and Displacement, http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/housing/docs/guidelines_en.pdf.
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7.
United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 1999, Guidelines for Consumer Protection, http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/publications/consumption_en.pdf.
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8.
United Nations, A/CONF.151/26 (Vol. I), June 1992, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, http://www.un.org/documents/ga/conf151/aconf15126-1annex1.htm.
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9.
United Nations, 1992, Convention on Biological Diversity, 1760 UNTS 79; 31 ILM 818 (1992), http://www.cbd.int/doc/legal/cbd-en.pdf.
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10.
United Nations, 11 December 1997, Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UN Doc FCCC/CP/1997/7/Add.1, Dec. 10, 1997; 37 ILM 22 (1998), http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.pdf.
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11.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna, 27 UST 1087; TIAS 8249; 993 UNTS 243 (1973), http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/text.php.
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12.
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, 2226 U.N.T.S. 208; 39 ILM 1027 (2000); UN Doc. UNEP/CBD/ExCOP/1/3, at 42 (2000), http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/text/.
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13.
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, 2256 UNTS 119; 40 ILM 532 (2001), http://chm.pops.int/Convention/ConventionText/tabid/2232/Default.aspx>.
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14.
Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, 2244 UNTS 337; 38 ILM 1 (1999) (revised in 2011), http://www.pic.int/The-Convention/Overview/TextoftheConvention/tabid/1048/language/en-US/Default.aspx>.
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Sheehy, B. Defining CSR: Problems and Solutions. J Bus Ethics 131, 625–648 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2281-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2281-x