概要

This paper assesses the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Costa Rican-United Kingdom banana supply chain. The researchers use a case-study approach, applying qualitative methods such as documentary analysis, semi-observation and semi-structured interviews, following the supply chain from end-to-end. The case study focuses on the interactions between major corporate actors (UK supermarket groups and North American agribusinesses) pushing for greater CSR in the name of consumer interests, and Costa Rican state-led policies protecting workers’ rights. Instead of these policies coming together to enhance social and environmental sustainability, it is found that CSR labour codes are often obscured by competitive pressure for high production quality and low production costs, forcing working conditions into a downward spiral. The authors recognise that CSR is often driven by corporate rather than producer interests, therefore future changes in supermarket behaviour are possible but more likely to happen if consumer trust is at stake.