The comparison of distinct societal processes expressing key universals in societal progress permits a fusion of local and wider logics. Two main stereotypes are examined to compare their workings and their outcomes: the Western free market democratic, and the Chinese party-state driven.

We provide an overview of existing research on CSR and institutions and suggest avenues for future development. We begin by laying out how the three major forms of institutionalism have approached CSR, what kinds of institutions and levels of analysis have been used, and how this has been linked...