SCAPES, MEDIA LYNCHINGS AND DISPUTES PRACTICES IRRESPONSIBLE OF FIRMS MULTINATIONALS

Abstract

This article analyses the catalyst role played by corporate scandals and scapegoating process in the
contention process of multinational corporations by their fringe stakeholders. Based on the work of René
Girard, we show that corporate scandals and scapegoating processes can be perceived as conflict mechanisms settlement in a context of weak governance. We use the scapegoating process identified by René
Girard as a metaphor. This helps to describe the different components of the political contention process:
convergence of the contention on a single target, publicization of irresponsible behaviors and contagion
to organizational supports. We then identify three necessary conditions in the emergence of scapegoating process: unsettled conflicts, potentials targets and credibility in the involvement of the target. We
conclude by pointing out the main implications of our research on stakeholder politics and political CSR