Product Description

In the highly praised The Market for Virtue, David Vogel presents a clear, balanced analysis of the contemporary corporate social responsibility (CSR) movement in the United States and Europe. In this updated paperback edition, Vogel discusses recent CSR initiatives and responds to new developments in the CSR debate. He asserts that while the movement has achieved success in improving some labor, human rights, and environmental practices in developing countries, there are limits to improving corporate conduct without more extensive and effective government regulation. Put simply, Vogel believes that there is a market for virtue, but it is limited by the substantial costs of socially responsible business behavior.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27231 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 222 pages

Review
"Here is the definitive guide to what corporate social responsibility can and cannot accomplish in a modern capitalist economy." --Robert B. Reich, University Professor of social and economic policy, Brandeis University, and former U.S. Secretary of Labor

"The study combines sound logic with illustrative cases, and advances the sophistication of the CSR debate considerably." --John G. Ruggie, Harvard University, co-architect of UN Global Compact

"Vogel provides needed clarity about the costs, benefits, ambiguities and potential of corporate social responsibility." --Susan Ariel Aaronson, senior fellow, Kenan Institute at the University of North Carolina

John G. Ruggie, Harvard University, co-architect of UN Global Compact
"The study combines sound logic with illustrative cases, and advances the sophistication of the CSR debate considerably."

Susan Ariel Aaronson, senior fellow, Kenan Institute at the University of North Carolina
"Vogel provides needed clarity about the costs, benefits, ambiguities and potential of corporate social responsibility."

Customer Reviews

An Honest Look at Capitalism
Perhaps what I liked the most about this book was that it was less focused on the ethical questions, and more focused on what "Market for Virtue" exists in a Capitalistic system. That is, the ethical questions and answers are much more obvious on the subject of corporate social responsibility than the practical questions and answers within the context of Capitalism.

For this reason, I found this book to be one you could take in multiple ways. For example, you can look at it as a critique of how Capitalism can change for the better. You can also look at it as a critique of modern society (which is viewed as merely stating they'd pay a premium for social responsibility, when most individuals don't do so in practice).

While I found this book to go at the issue from a perspective that would be suitable for Sociological discourse, I think it's just as important (if not moreso) for businesspeople to understand the views in this book and to ask themselves some serious questions about what Business SHOULD be.

An invaluable resource offering a serious-minded, in-depth discussion of a complex issue
Written by Professor of Business Ethics (Haas School of Business) David Vogel, The Market for Virtue: The Potential and Limits of Corporate Social Responsibility is a scholarly examination of a politically charged and highly polarized debate concerning what corporate social responsibility can, cannot, and must accomplish in a modern capitalist economy. Chapters explore answers to and differing perspectives on the questions "Is there a business case for virtue?" and "What is the demand for virtue?" as well as examining corporate responsibility with regard to both the environment and human rights. Extensively researched, The Market for Virtue is an invaluable resource offering a serious-minded, in-depth discussion of a complex issue. Enthusiastically recommended especially for college library shelves, and invaluable reading for activists, businessmen, and legal personnel grappling with all dimensions of the interests and responsibilities of corporations.

Excellent: Balanced, Readable and Practical
Vogel has provided us with a much needed skeptics eye view of Corporate Social Resposibility. This book is a very accesible and practical guide for the manager who is beset with open ended questions and needs realistic answers to a difficult subject. The "needs to have" are separated from the "nices to have", the realistic from the theoretical.
At less than 200 pages, this is the one book the operating manager needs to read on the subject.