From Conflict To Collaboration: Exploring Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives As A Conflict Management Mechanism For Corporate Social Conflicts

This dissertation explores “multi-stakeholder initiatives” created collaboratively by civil society groups and corporations to implement private, voluntary code of conduct regimes to regulate corporate behavior around conflictual issues like labor standards, environmental protection, business activities in conflict zones, and general corporate social responsibility. This study applies a conflict analysis framework to explore the nature of this recently developed organizational form as a mechanism for managing corporate social conflicts in the context of a shift by some parties in these conflict systems from contentious to collaborative conflict strategies. Twenty-two multi-stakeholder initiatives were analyzed using a coding system based on notions of sound conflict management practices, including procedural fairness, reasonable outcomes, and relationship building. This exploratory research reveals numerous structural problems in the conception, design, and operations of these initiatives that decrease the likelihood of success in managing conflicts.