ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the approaches to corporate citizenship and corporate social responsibility (csr) of large firms headquartered in Mexico. Corporate citizenship is rapidly becoming a popular expectation around the globe—including in Central and South America, as documented in this focused issue. Case studies of Mexican firms that are recognised as having exemplary csr practices provide a more accurate view of how csr is understood within Mexican firms and the distinctive forms that csr takes in Mexico. Mexico's cultural and institutional history is rooted in its colonial past, reflecting a mistrust of power and institutions while also placing particular emphasis on the public interest-serving roles of private-sector businesses. Since the 1980s, Mexico has aggressively entered the global economy, both by opening its borders to foreign trade and investment and by stimulating the growth of the Mexican private sector, especially through privatisation of state-owned enterprises.
