Business-state relations and the role of the market in social development have undergone profound changes in recent decades as a result of policy and institutional changes related to economic liberalization, privatization, commodification, and new approaches to regulation and governance. The implications of these developments for social well-being, equity and democratic governance are profound and are the focus of research under the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) programme on Markets, Business and Regulation.
Work on these issues is organized under the following research areas:
- Social effects of the privatization of public services
- Role of business in poverty reduction
- Social and policy responses to 'corporate globalization'
- Business influence on social policy and development
Work undertaken in each of these areas builds on research completed as part of previous projects including: Business Responsibility for Sustainable Development; Commercialization of Health Care; Global and Local Dynamics and Policy Responses; Commercialization, Privatization and Universal Access to Water.
Accessing project related information
Information relating to current and completed projects is accessible by clicking on the appropriate link on the right hand side. Once in a project description page, you will see several links on the right hand side. Clicking on the ‘Publications’ link will provide an updated list of published papers and reports. ‘Unpublished Papers’ will list material pending publication. The 'News and Views' section includes articles written by United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) staff that have been published in journals, magazines and other media.
Programme News and Events
- New book by Marques, José Carlos and Utting, Peter (eds). 2010. Business, Politics and Public Policy: Implications for Inclusive Development. Palgrave available here
- New book by P.Utting and J.C. Marques (eds). 2010. Corporate Social Responsibility and Regulatory Governance: Towards Inclusive Development?, Palgrave available here
- Peter Utting presented ‘Food Insecurity and Inclusive Development: Is CSR a Solution?’ at the The World Food Crisis and the Global Southconference,London 27-28th January 2009
- 'The Struggle for Corporate Accountability', Development and Change volume 39, issue 6, November 2008
- Conference News on Business, Social Policy and Corporate Political Influence in Developing Countries, available here
- Peter Utting participated in a Seminar on 'Exploring the Boundaries of CSR' at Middlesex University , London U.K. on 1 December 2008
- Peter Utting presented 'CSR from a Development Perspective: Trends, Debates and Policy Implications' at the Forum of Arab Ministers for Social Development , Jordan 12-14th November 2008, see details here
- New Book by P. Utting and J. Clapp (ed). 2008. Corporate Accountability and Sustainable Development, Oxford University Press: New Delhi is now available
- A draft paper summarizing the main project findings on Negotiating Alternative Trade Regimes in Latin America is now available: 'The Changing Coordinates of Trade and Development in Latin America: Implications for Policy Space and Policy Coherence' by Mejido, Utting and Carrion, click here for details
- 'Achieving Development through Corporate Social Responsibility? The problem of Policy Incoherence', presented by Peter Utting at York University September 2008
- New Book by D Fig (ed) Staking their claims: Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility in South Africa, University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, 2006
- Public-Private Partnerships for Sustainable Development took place on 15 Aug 2006 in Copenhagen, Denmark
- 'Rethinking Business Regulation: From Self-Regulation to Social Control', a programme paper by Peter Utting
- Please click here to access a flyer highlighting some of UNRISD's publications on Corporate Social Responsibility