The Market for Virtue: The Potential And Limits of Corporate Social Responsibility [Paperback]

David Vogel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0815790775 | ISBN-13: 978-0815790778 | Publication Date: August 1, 2006

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In a world filled with hot air on the subject, it is refreshing to find such a clear--and concise--assessment of CSR's pros and cons. – Simon London, Financial Times

About the Author

David Vogel is the Solomon Lee Professor of Business Ethics at the Haas School of Business and professor of political science at the University of California, Berkeley. His books include Barriers or Benefits? Regulation in Transatlantic Trade (Brookings, 1998); Kindred Strangers: The Uneasy Relationship between Politics and Business (Princeton, 1996); and Trading Up: Consumer and Environmental Regulation in a Global Economy (Harvard, 1995).

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Brookings Institution Press (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815790775
• ISBN-13: 978-0815790778
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on the Subject, October 6, 2005

By 

James J. O'toole "James O'Toole" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Market For Virtue: The Potential And Limits Of Corporate Social Responsibility (Hardcover)

Vogel's THE MARKET FOR VIRTUE is a balanced and objective review of the many activites that fall under the rubric of "corporate social responsibility." He convincingly shows that these are over-ballyhooed by their enthusiasts, and over-disparaged by their critics. In fact, they make useful, albeit marginal, contributions to the welfare of communities and society. He draws useful distinctions between the many different manifestations of CSR, and offers thoughtful metrics for evaluating them. He cites literally hundreds of examples, and helps the reader to think about them in a rigorous and disciplined way. This is a must-read for corporate executives and business students.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Seminal Work in CSR, November 17, 2005

By 

Jerry Schulman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Market For Virtue: The Potential And Limits Of Corporate Social Responsibility (Hardcover)

Vogel's THE MARKET FOR VIRTUE is the seminal work in CSR. His lively text offers the right mix of theory, analysis, and example. His conclusions are profound and will make a difference for the better. Required reading for corporate executives, business and management students, and those of us who simply wish to be informed participants in 21st century society.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An invaluable resource offering a serious-minded, in-depth discussion of a complex issue, January 5, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Market for Virtue: The Potential And Limits of Corporate Social Responsibility (Paperback)

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.