Corporate Governance and Social Dialogue: towards Business Sustainability with a Social Focus

Abstract

This article critically examines the incorporation of social dialogue into corporate policies as a central element of social sustainability and contemporary corporate governance. Using an analytical and comparative approach, the study explores how companies across
European, U.S., Asian, and Latin American contexts have institutionalized participatory mechanisms that go beyond instrumental approaches to corporate social responsibility. The analysis connects theoretical perspectives on expanded corporate governance, stakeholder participation, and social sustainability with empirical evidence drawn from documented business practices.
The findings indicate that effective social sustainability depends less on the formal existence of participatory mechanisms and more on their capacity to influence internal rules, governance structures, and strategic decision-making processes. It concludes by advancing a socially oriented corporate governance framework, particularly relevant for emerging economies, where structured social dialogue can enhance corporate legitimacy and strengthen engagement with civil society in complex institutional environments.