THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE UNION UNITS TERRITORIAL TO CSR DEVELOPMENT: CAPACITY STUDY OF THREE UNIONS FRENCH

Abstract

The dissemination of responsible actions within a territory can be carried out by various actors (businesses, associations, public authorities and trade unions). The aim of this article is to explore how local trade unions can contribute to the implementation of social responsibility actions in their territory. The role of trade unions seems crucial to avoid unilateral approaches by employers and to ensure on the contrary that workers’ representatives are involved in the definition, the implementation and the monitoring of corporate social responsibility commitments within a territory. We use the concept of “union capacity”, which focuses on the resources and skills of unions, to study how they meet certain challenges. Based on a study of five trade unions in twodifferent regions in France, we show that trade unions are capable of deploying a variety of actions and of formalizing a strategy aimed at social responsibility to a greater or lesser  extent.Specific resources (inclusion in a network), certain capabilities (articulation, bridging) and the exercise of individual and collective leadership are particularly decisive for commitment to responsible actions.