Civil Society

Question 1

What is the indirect stake of CSOs

Answer 1

Represent the interests of individual stakeholders by acting on their behalf
Represent non human stakeholders including anaimals and the planet

Question 2

What are some key facts about CSOs

Answer 2

Increasing number- 2 million domestic us ngos
They are heterogenous
Increasing trust- they aren’t selling a product rather they are trying to champion an issue

Question 3

What are the indirect tactics of CSOs

Answer 3

Competition for public and media attention
Development of credible arguments
Risk: provision of misleading information e.greenpeace Brent oil spa overestimated amount of toxic sludge

Question 4

What are violent direct tactics

Answer 4

Illegal but highly visible so generate more media attention
Unethical
Can these actions be deemed civil at all
Perceived legitimacy of this action prevents access to decision making
E.g huddling life sciences- animal testing

Question 5

What are non violent direct tactics

Answer 5

Boycotts demonstrations and marches 
Non violent sabotage
Stunts
Picketing 
Often cause corporations the most damage

Question 6

What is the definition of a boycott

Answer 6

An attempt by one or more parties to achieve certain objectives by urging customers to refrain from selected purchases

E.g Exxon
Nestle
Triumph manufacturing in Burma

Question 7

What are the 4 types of boycott

Answer 7

Instrumental- change a policy
Catalytic- raise awareness
Expressive- communicate displeasure
Punitive- punishment for actions

Question 8

What are the ethical issues of CSOs

Answer 8

Who exactly is an organisation such as greenpeace supposed to be serving
Principle agent relationship

CSOs from developed countries may misrepresent those from a developing country

Involvement of beneficiaries in decision making is limited
Need for financial support
Beneficiaries lack the voice to signify their approval or disapproval

Question 9

Tell me about bus cso relations

Answer 9

Traditionally regarded as confrontational and highly aggressive
Since 1990s the extent and degree of collaboration has been growing

Question 10

Tell me about business CSO collaboration

Answer 10

Closer and more interactive relations between civil society
As CSOs are trusted it can help organisations
Can improve cso credibility
E.g greenpeace and foron
WWF and Unilever - promotion of sustainable fisheries

Question 11

What are the limitations of CSO collaboration

Answer 11

Ensuring legitimacy and commitment. 
Mask for continuing hostility? 
Power imbalance? 
Distribution of benefits? 
Are companies simply riding on the trust of CSOs?

Question 12

What is the purpose of CSOs

Answer 12

Regarded as the third actor and a counterbalance to the state and market ensuring everyone’s best interests are served, guarding against power abuse

Supposed role is the provide a degree of social and political pluralism that provides a more civilised society

Question 13

What’s the definition of a CSO

Answer 13

Include a plethora of pressure groups, non governmental organisations l, charities l, religious groups and other actors that are involved in the promotion of certain interests, causes or goals

Question 14

CSO as stakeholders

Answer 14

Rarely have resources to give orgs and therefore have nothing tangible to retract if they disagree

Link Mitchell power

Self declare their stakes but ultimately it is the subjective interpretations of managers that decides their legitimacy

Whilst ignoring CSOs to hope they go away is a normal corporate response the long term impacts are hazardous

Question 15

What are the 2 types of CSO

Answer 15

Sectional- member based

Promotional - serve causes and issues

Question 16

What does Zadek (2001) say about CsO

Answer 16

It’s not really the companies choice to decide who is and who isn’t a stakeholder

Question 17

What are the elements of CSO characteristics

Answer 17

Type ( community, campaign)
Structure (informal, formal, co-op)
Focus (natural environment) 
Activities ( academic)
Scope (local, regional, national)

Question 18

What is he huddington life sciences example?

Answer 18

Tested on 70,000 animals a year
Stop hiddiington animal cruelty set up
Broke windows, glued locks and painstriped cars
Lost investment and went into receivership

Question 19

Who is the most boycotted company?

Answer 19

Nestle- 78% of ethical consumer magazine have boycotted

Question 20

Wombat is a multi stakeholder network

Answer 20

When business, cso and gvt come together to find a common appoach to an issue that affects them all but is too complex to solve without collaboration e.g the un global compact

Question 21

What is the definition of a multi stakeholder network

Answer 21

Networks in which actors from civil society, business and government come together in order to find a common approach to an issue that affects them all

Question 22

What does roloff identify as limitations of stakeholder theory

Answer 22

Does not reflect what happens in multi stakeholder networks is

Question 23

What does rollof suggest as an alternative definition of stakeholder

Answer 23

Any individual who is affected or affect the issues addressed by the network

Question 24

What are the phases of a stakeholder network

Answer 24

Initiation
Acquaintance 
First agreement 
Second agreement 
Implementation
Consolidation 
Institutionalisation or extinction

Question 25

What are limitations of network models

Answer 25

Often time consuming and unstable
In many cases a lasting and comprohensive solution can not be realised
Sphere of influence is always confined to Participants

Question 26

What is the problem with the organisation focused view

Answer 26

Tend to prioritise threats to the firm rather than those of the vulnerable who are solely affected

When threatened with a boycott, a manager may engage in a discussion with NGOs rather than talking to workers and negotiating changes

Question 27

Why are multi stakeholder networks better

Answer 27

Issue focused
A stakeholder is any group or individual who can affect or is affected by the approach to the issue addressed by the network

Better reflection of reality
Dialogue by all participants
Better quality solutions

Question 28

What does Reece, 2001 say

Answer 28

CSOs are usually regarded as the counterbalance to the state and market and ensures everyone’s best interests are served, guarding against power abuse

Question 29

What are some examples of boycotts

Answer 29

Exxon mobile- lack of investment in renewables
Nestle- most boycotted company
Triumph- manufacturing in burma - withdrew in 2002

Question 30

What is a potential problem of dealing with multiple CSOs

Answer 30

May have conflicting interests
E.g North Sea fishing, is st much help
WWF and Unilever wanting to stop fishing
CSOs protecting interests of fishermen

Question 31

What does roloff identify as limitations of the organisation focused view

Answer 31

Managers using a strong organisation focused can overlook stakeholders who are affected by the organisation in favour of those that can affect it

Often managers end up addressing the claims of powerful and vocal stakeholder groups who can affect the firm rather than those vulnerable

Question 32

What does roloff say about he issue focused view

Answer 32

Can result in moral legitimacy