The Global and the Local A qualitative study of how Swedish Multinational Corporations in China govern their work with Corporate Social Responsibility.

Abstract: In this thesis it is suggested that the local context and culture has a large impact on how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is perceived and worked with. Previous research shows that it is important for Multinational Corporations (MNCs) to govern their CSR with respect to the local context to be trusted and run their business in a ‘good’ (what is socially perceived as good) way. The aim of this study is to examine how MNCs that are founded in Sweden and in some ways have established in China, perceive CSR and how they work with it in respect to the global- and the local context. The thesis further studies what approaches, and drivers lies behind the engagement in CSR-related activities. The thesis is based on a qualitative approach with six semi-structured interviews, that makes up the empirical material. The interviews were conducted with participants in leading positions in Swedish MNCs located in Shanghai, China. The results show that a global perspective is perceived as important for MNCs to work with, and that they in many ways adapt their global practises with respect to local culture. Furthermore, the approaches used when working with CSR are in many ways strategic and has an ethical and philanthropical drive behind them.