The Evolution of CSR Standards in the Coffee Value Chains - Transition Pathways to Sustainability

Résumé du livre

The aim of this paper is to analyze the evolution and interactions among private CSR schemes and among private regulation and public law and how they contribute to changes in our society towards sustainable development. The focus of analysis will be the coffee sector. The evolutionary pathways will be analysed in five CSR schemes. Both competition and some harmonization can be found among the schemes. The competition is continuous between the schemes which target their marketing to the consumers (B2C markets). The schemes, however, fill the different consumer or business segments and cover different functions of the CSR - in that way they complement each other. Two of the schemes are more focused on B2B business relationships and risk management, while three others serve as opportunity management tools. All of these CSR schemes have connections to transnational public law and public soft law; in organic scheme this is clearer than in other CSR schemes. This article contributes to debates about transitions and systemic changes summarising the transition pathways of five CSR coffee schemes towards a more sustainable society and towards new regulatory arrangements in transnational regulation.