Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 06/2010

Corporate Responsibility & Anti-Corruption: the Missing Link?

Susan Côté-Freeman

January 2010

Transparency International

Abstract

While corporate responsibility initiatives have multiplied dramatically over the past 20 years there still is no universal understanding or unified approach when it comes to their concept or practice. At their worst, corporate responsibility programmes may be mere window-dressing exercises. At their best, these initiatives represent genuine attempts by companies working with stakeholders to address the great environmental, social and ethical challenges of our times. As corporate responsibility programmes continue to evolve, the challenge for the anti-corruption movement is determining the appropriate place for anti-corruption efforts and whether — and how — they can support a company’s corporate responsibility strategy.