Where Responsibility Lies: Corporate Social Responsibility and Campaigns for the Rights of Workers in a Global Economy

The London School of Economics and Political Science Where responsibility lies: Corporate social responsibility and campaigns for the rights of workers in a global economy Jill Timms A thesis submitted to the Department of Sociology of the London School of Economics for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, London, December 2012 Declaration I certify that the thesis I have presented for examination for the PhD degree of the London School of Economics and Political Science is solely my own work other than where I have clearly indicated that it is the work of others (in which case the extent of any work carried out jointly by me and any other person is clearly identified in it). The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. Quotation from it is permitted, provided that full acknowledgement is made. This thesis may not be reproduced without my prior written consent. I warrant that this authorisation does not, to the best of my belief, infringe the rights of any third party. I declare that my thesis consists of 98,770 words. 2 Abstract Sociological analysis of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is, as yet, limited. This thesis analyses how approaches to CSR are defined and mobilised in relation to the rights of workers in transnational contexts of production and exchange. Participation in emerging global discourses of CSR is becoming standard practice amongst transnational corporations, and the growth and professionalisation of CSR, even during global economic crisis, suggests there may be substantial incentives for those seeking to influence agendas. To misunderstand the significance of CSR is dangerous. It is necessary to go beyond questions of whether CSR is merely marketing, to understand how the terms of debate are being set regarding responsibility in the global economy. Drawing on critiques of globalising corporate practices and labour movements research, I examine how these debates are being mobilised not only by politicians and employers, but also by workers and their advocates. Employment relations is an important arena for practical and ideological struggles over CSR, as production networks and labour markets have been dramatically restructured by globalising processes. To investigate the role of contestation in CSR development, labour rights campaigns were investigated as moments when responsibilities to workers are in dispute. A preliminary textual analysis categorised competing CSR agendas in terms of corporate, professional, political and activist approaches. Research into three case studies then explored how these can be mobilised in practice: the factory-focused Keep Burberry British campaign to prevent work being outsourced overseas; the event- focused PlayFair 2012 campaign for workers making Olympic merchandise; and product-focused campaigns for cut flower workers. The thesis contributes empirically and analytically to understanding the potential implications of emerging approaches to CSR for employment regulation, the relationship of states to corporations, and the response of labour movements. It is argued that activist framing of the employment relationship in terms of CSR is being used to pursue improved conditions of work and to influence debate over where responsibility lies. 3 Acknowledgements The work for this thesis has been done at a significant time for the developing field of corporate social responsibility (CSR), and at a challenging time for labour movements as they respond to the global restructuring of production networks. It has also been done at a significant and challenging time in my own life, over an extended period. For this reason, to the many who have offered intellectual, practical and moral support I have particular and rather extended thanks to offer, please bear with me! In different ways and at different times these individuals have made this momentous journey enjoyable, bearable, exciting and worthwhile. There are some people very important to me who are no longer here to share in my finishing this project, but who played a significant role in supporting me. My life was transformed and my work inspired by Richard Nagle. I can only hope he would be proud. My return to the research was encouraged by my wise friend, Joan Bernard. Her interest in my academic work, her friendship and example, helped greatly. I have also been fortunate to benefit from the wisdom of my grandparents. I shall always be especially grateful to Clifford Sharples for pushing me to ask questions of the world from an early age, and to Ada Timms for her stories of life in the Lancashire cotton mills that began my fascination with our working lives. They are all missed deeply. I owe a great debt of thanks to my supervisors. Leslie Sklair has provided outstanding support, encouragement and challenge, always in a way that has pushed me to develop as a sociologist and strengthened my determination to continue. His belief in me and this research from my very first proposal, and through the many ups and downs, has been both unfailing and sustaining. I will always be immensely grateful for all I have learnt from him and his work. I have been very fortunate that Fran Tonkiss generously and expertly also supervised me for the significant years of the project. Her meticulous attention to my work has been incredibly appreciated. The insightful and critical comments she regularly offered have provoked and challenged my thinking, encouraged me to write more clearly and helped me to keep moving forward. Together they have made a formidable and inspiring team. I am grateful to colleagues who have given their time to offer valuable feedback on drafts: Daiana Beitler, Antje Lechner, Patrick McGovern, Paddy Rawlinson, Sandy Ross and Judy Wajcman. A special mention goes to Silke Lechner, who belongs to so many of the groups I wish to thank. Her friendship and engagement with my work have been a steadfast source of motivation. At LSE I have benefitted from the convivial environment that is the S201 research room. I am grateful to all there who have shared in my progress and offered advice, understanding and distraction when needed, particularly Antonia Dawes, Susanna Finlay, Des Fitzgerald, Malcolm James, Helen Kim, Nabila Munawar, Naaz Rashid, Victoria Redcliff and Jessie Potter, as well as those in my original and adopted cohorts. Conversations with others about my field of study and the PhD process have helped develop my ideas and my survival tactics, especially Hannah Abdulla, Roxana Bratu, Simon Dickason, Iuliana Gavril, Laura Gherardi, Kevin Gillan, Marlies Glasius, Fiona Holland, Iain Lindsay, Isaac Marrero- Guillamón, Maurice Roche, Roberta Sharples-Swanson, Yuka Shimamura-Willcocks, Jane Steen, Jackie Smith, Kate Sotejeff-Wilson, Sally Stares, Anna Strhan and Lucy Soutter. I also thank my students and conference audiences who have helped me to explain myself better and encouraged me by their interest in the research. 4 Family and friends have done a sterling and sustained job, patiently listening to progress reports and offering all manner of help. I thank them all. From University times (not all my own) friends have encouraged me to keep going, from University College Dublin, Kings College London and from Keele, Louise, Caroline, Vicky and John are always there to share a glass of red and whatever life brings. I thank my Southwark circle for providing friendship and spiritual nourishment to see me through (not least ‘conclusion cake’ and impromptu biscuit deliveries), as well as the CSC community and wonderful work of WAY; James Buxton, Georgie Heskins, Andrew Nunn, Bruce Saunders, Ruth White and Mandy Geils should be particularly mentioned. I am also grateful to Hanya Chalala, Christine Nancarrow and Keith Silvester for their patience and skills in helping me continue. I thank my Nagle family in Wales for their never failing welcome and care, Dorothy Bury for research suggestions, Kasey Townsend for accompanying me on research trips, and all my other supporters in Darwen. Very special thanks go to my sister Kate Townsend, who despite being a busy mum of four wonders, without exception is ready with time, tea and her considerable talents, for whatever I might need. To my parents, Clive and Margo Timms, I offer my greatest appreciation. They have taught me so much, supported me resolutely and enabled me to follow my passions. Then to Neil Capp, who has made life in these last few years so much better for being in it, I simply thank for everything. I hope to spend very many years repaying him for all the time, space, love and support he has unconditionally given me and my thesis. Please note, unless otherwise stated, all photographs were taken by the author and are copyright of Jill Timms. I am grateful to the GMB, Kenyan Flower Council, Labour behind the Label, Ian Price of Treorchy.net, Play Fair, Natalya Sverjensky, War on Want and Wayne Visser of CSR International, for kind permission to use the images attributed to them. An earlier version of Chapter 5 was published as ‘The Olympics as a platform for protest: A case study of the London 2012 ‘ethical’ Games and the Play Fair campaign for workers’ rights’ in Leisure Studies, 31(3): 355-372 (2012), also published in J. Horne (ed.), Leisure, Culture and the Olympic Games, London: Routledge (2013). Sections of Chapters 3 and 5 contribute to my forthcoming chapter ‘A socially responsible business legacy: Raising standards in procurement, supply chains and employment through mega-events’ in R. Holt and D. Ruta (eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Sport and Legacy, London: Routledge (2013). I am grateful to the reviewers and editors of these publications for constructive comments that have improved my work. Finally, this thesis would not have been possible without the help of the many research participants who shared their knowledge and experiences with me, giving so generously of their time. I am enormously grateful. Their passion continues to motivate and inspire me.

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