Corporate social responsibility in China: Current issues and their relevance for implementation of law

Abstract

Following an introduction to the issue of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and recent developments that indicate a growing interest with CSR in China, this paper discusses some of the issues concerning law in China, in particular effectiveness of labour law and its implementation at local level. The indications are that CSR may have relevance as a modality for strengthening the implementation of law in China. Examples are given of how some CSR-conscious foreign companies that work in or supply from China handle social and environmental responsibility, and tentative perspectives of CSR in China are suggested, with regard to a possible impact on the implementation of law.