This article is the guest editors’ introduction to special issue in Business & Society on “SMEs and CSR Developing Countries.” The includes four original research articles by Hamann, Smith, Tashman, Marshall; Allet; Egels-Zandén; Puppim de Oliveira Jabbour various aspects of relationship small medium enterprises (SMEs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) developing countries.

Purpose – In light of recent enthusiasm over African private sector development, the purpose this paper is to review business literature on enterprise development with a view identifying lacunas in and developing an analytical framework that may guide future research issue. Design/methodology/approach The provides extant by juxtaposing traditional pessimistic performance more recent, optimistic accounts. Based review, are identified integrative for analysing developed. used provide overview...

Experiences from developed and emerging economies inform us that close state–business relations (SBRs) are crucial for economic development structural transformation. Based on the positive experiences other parts of world, most African governments have begun processes to establish collaborative SBRs. Amongst initiatives, these include amendments existing laws facilitate public–private interaction, direct support business associations (BAs). This article draws an analysis survey data 210...

Students wishing to pursue careers in international business, notably the developing world, must be prepared for complex, unpredictable, uncomfortable, and messy realities, collaborate with others very different from themselves. Mainstream business school learning environments are generally highly structured, cognitively oriented, predictable hence not particularly conducive orchestrating disruptive experiences that can develop such abilities. In this article, we show how a field-based...

Abstract This paper compares the way garment factory workers in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho experience interaction between mechanisms for inspecting labour codes of conduct government functions trade unions. In Africa there was little awareness potential impact such instruments on working conditions. Lesotho, where is a high profile campaign, are more aware codes, but confusion over who visitors to factories are, corporate whitewash, limit instruments. all three countries perceived...

Click to increase image sizeClick decrease size Notes1 Inspiration from the organizer’s conference call is acknowledged. For more information, see https://fau.dk/non-regular%2525252520activites/joint-nordic-development-research-conferences--3/index.html2 See for an example of ongoing discussions these issues: https://www.eadi.org/wg/postcolonial/3 Bhambra (Citation2017) how conceive such challenges.

Abstract Workers in the garment manufacturing industry are often subjected to violations of their rights and exposed low wages difficult working conditions. In response exposure these media, major fashion brands retailers subject suppliers labour codes conduct. Despite conduct being largely ineffective, this comparative case study manufacturers operating from Lesotho Eswatini illustrates that such provide workers trade unions with access bargaining leverage they would otherwise not have. A...

We engage a discussion of political CSR in SMEs an African context. Based on critical observations Western MNC action emerging economies that holds counterproductive implications for social development, economists have argued business profit far more than society developing from CSR. In this paper we argue local work strong influence economies, also includes development. empirical findings countries, conceptualize how differ their European counterparts with focus retention employees and...

The ‘Africa rising’ narrative sparked a lively discussion of the powers orthodox economic policies to ensure good governance and attract private investments further stimulate growth. 2014 commodity bust Covid-19 pandemic effectively ended this triggered critical examination fundamentals narrative. This study investigates how have affected strive for structural transformation in resource-rich economy like Zambia. It argues that there is mismatch between mostly driven policy formulation needs...