Responsibility Theory: An Examination of the Inherent Role of Corporations versus Government

When examining the public and private sectors as structures of authority in the context of global economic and social governance, we are viewing two sides of the same coin. Corporations and governments each hold an impressive amount of power to influence policy, set business standards, and create shared value - impacting people and the environment on a scale that is arguably unmatched by other entities. They also share a significant capability to design and execute multifaceted strategies that serve their own short and long-term goals, often to the benefit of some and the detriment of others. Consequently, understanding how the characteristics of capability, power, and impact might shape public and private sector responsibilities (and the relationship between them) is a valuable area of study.

This PhD research will explore how these three concepts affect the responsibility and role of corporations versus government, whether this differs in times of crisis, and consider implications for the delivery of public goods and corporate governance structures. The aim of the research is to contribute to ongoing academic dialogue in the areas of business ethics and political corporate social responsibility (CSR). This contribution will seek to take the form of a practical framework that scholars, business leaders, and civil servants can reference when evaluating the appropriate role of a corporation and its relationship to government activities. Another valuable outcome is a possible finding on how to better leverage the presumed capability, power, and impact of the private sector to implement the intent of democratic government.