Civil Society Flashcards
What is the indirect stake of CSOs
Represent the interests of individual stakeholders by acting on their behalf
Represent non human stakeholders including anaimals and the planet
What are some key facts about CSOs
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
What are the indirect tactics of CSOs
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
What are violent direct tactics
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
What are non violent direct tactics
Boycotts demonstrations and marches Non violent sabotage Stunts Picketing Often cause corporations the most damage
What is the definition of a boycott
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
What are the 4 types of boycott
Instrumental- change a policy
Catalytic- raise awareness
Expressive- communicate displeasure
Punitive- punishment for actions
What are the ethical issues of CSOs
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
Tell me about bus cso relations
Traditionally regarded as confrontational and highly aggressive
Since 1990s the extent and degree of collaboration has been growing
Tell me about business CSO collaboration
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
What are the limitations of CSO collaboration
Ensuring legitimacy and commitment. Mask for continuing hostility? Power imbalance? Distribution of benefits? Are companies simply riding on the trust of CSOs?
What is the purpose of CSOs
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
What’s the definition of a CSO
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
CSO as stakeholders
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
What are the 2 types of CSO
Sectional- member based
Promotional - serve causes and issues
What does Zadek (2001) say about CsO
It’s not really the companies choice to decide who is and who isn’t a stakeholder
What are the elements of CSO characteristics
Type ( community, campaign) Structure (informal, formal, co-op) Focus (natural environment) Activities ( academic) Scope (local, regional, national)
What is he huddington life sciences example?
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
Who is the most boycotted company?
Nestle- 78% of ethical consumer magazine have boycotted
Wombat is a multi stakeholder network
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
What is the definition of a multi stakeholder network
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
What does roloff identify as limitations of stakeholder theory
Does not reflect what happens in multi stakeholder networks is
What does rollof suggest as an alternative definition of stakeholder
Any individual who is affected or affect the issues addressed by the network
What are the phases of a stakeholder network
Initiation Acquaintance First agreement Second agreement Implementation Consolidation Institutionalisation or extinction
What are limitations of network models
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
What is the problem with the organisation focused view
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
Why are multi stakeholder networks better
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
What does Reece, 2001 say
CSOs are usually regarded as the counterbalance to the state and market and ensures everyone’s best interests are served, guarding against power abuse
What are some examples of boycotts
Exxon mobile- lack of investment in renewables
Nestle- most boycotted company
Triumph- manufacturing in burma - withdrew in 2002
What is a potential problem of dealing with multiple CSOs
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
What does roloff identify as limitations of the organisation focused view
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
What does roloff say about he issue focused view
Can result in moral legitimacy
