University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

Relational Governance
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One of the main catalysts for this paper is the recently published research and
concept development of a number of scholars positioned in the management studies
and business ethics domain who have been undertaking major research projects into
CSR across the Europe. Among the recent studies that are especially noteworthy are
those that attempt either EU-wide (Habisch et al. 2005; Lozano et al. 2008; Albareda
et al., 2008) or single country assessments (see for example, Moon 2004 and 2005;
Antal & Sobczak 2007). Several of these studies have been useful in advancing the
academic debate about CSR public policy and private practice. In particular, the
relational model (Lozano et al. 2008, Albareda et al. 2008) could be considered to be
one of the most significant developments.
The relational model of CSR has been described by its own authors as an
interdisciplinary analytical framework that is underpinned by political science, public
administration and CSR (Lozano et al. 2008; Albareda et al. 2008) that builds on the
earlier work of others and their own previous research and publications. The model
as outlined by Albareda et al. (2008) and Lozano et al. (2008) identifies four key
relationships: CSR in public administration; CSR in administration-business sector
relationships; CSR in administration-society relations; and finally what they label
relational CSR (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: The relational model for analysis of public policies on CSR
Business
Government
Civil Society
Key:
1. CSR in public administration
2. CSR in administration-business sector relationships
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2 3