In the last two decades, the private sector has been placed under intensifying pressure to ensure it operates in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Companies have moved through various phases of response, starting with a 'deny and defend' position, moving to 'paying penance' through donations and philanthropy, and currently settling on risk management through mitigating the negative impacts of their business operations. Drawing on research undertaken by Oxfam International mainly in the retail sector, as well as in the coffee and pharmaceutical sector, this article argues that the current approach is, as yet, inadequate. Simply mitigating negative impacts through castigating intermediaries or suppliers does not contribute to sustainable solutions. For the private sector to meet corporate social responsibility pledges, companies need to pursue alternative business models that forge connectivity, coherence, and interdependence between their core business operations and their ethical and environmental commitments.

Authors

Dhanarajan, Sumi

Editors

Eade, Deborah

Journal

Development in Practice Volume 15 Issue 3 & 4 Development and the Private Sector

Publication date

01 Jun 2005

DOI

10.1080/09614520500075946

Publisher

Oxfam GB

Routledge

Type

Journal article

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