Political corporate social responsibility in authoritarian contexts

Abstract Political CSR emphasizes the need for democratic governance of business conduct through public deliberation, and expects multinational enterprises (MNEs) to contribute self-regulation goods provision fill gaps left by unwilling or unable governments. In under-researched context autocracies, however, political pluralism participation are severely limited, which confronts MNEs with limited spaces such activities. this article, I deconstruct assumptions on political–institutional prevalent in IB research activities MNEs. Drawing science literature state power authoritarianism, reconstruct using different autocracies across globe as illustrative examples. elucidate boundaries room responsible policies drawing a framework developed that distinguishes between high- low-capacity autocracies. My implies face constraints regard deliberation self-regulation, while there is considerable provision. Finally, explain why normative desirability former two high, whereas authoritarian contexts lower given its implications stabilization autocratic rule.