Corporate (Social) Responsibility under Authoritarianism: Interpretation, Communication, and Implementation...

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Xu Kang

Corporate (Social) Responsibility under Authoritarianism

Interpretation, Communication, and Implementation in China

Xu Kang

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Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Routledge
07 November 2025

Regional studies; Development studies; Business ethics; International business; Sales & marketing

Series: Routledge Advances in Management and Business Studies

This book provides an in-depth exploration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the authoritarian context. It challenges prevailing CSR frameworks, which largely derive from liberal democratic contexts and overlook how political institutions shape the conceptualisation and practice of corporate responsibility. By situating CSR within China’s political-economic system, the book sheds light on how CSR is dynamically interpreted, strategically communicated, and selectively implemented by corporate and state actors.

Drawing on a mixed-method research design, the study analyses both qualitative and quantitative evidence. The analysis integrates policy documents, regulatory frameworks, CSR and sustainability reports from Chinese corporations, and in-depth qualitative interviews with corporate managers, NGO leaders, and experts. The findings highlight how CSR in China emerges through the normative interplay between market logics and power politics, involving various actors, including enterprises, state entities, and NGOs. The book also presents a critical account of how Chinese companies strategically adapt CSR discourses to align with governmental priorities while navigating complex stakeholder relationships.

A book of vital interest to researchers in business ethics, international business and Asian studies, it will also appeal to practitioners and policymakers seeking to enhance strategies and policies for responsible business conduct.

By: Xu Kang
Imprint: Routledge
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781041030652
ISBN 10: 1041030657
Series: Routledge Advances in Management and Business Studies
Pages: 172
Publication Date: 07 November 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Xu Kang is a researcher at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and currently serves as an Ernst Mach Fellow at Vienna University of Economics and Business. His research focuses on responsible business conduct, corporate social responsibility, business and human rights, and sustainability governance.