This essay identifies epistemological,
theoretical and methodological problems in a potentially influential subset of the interdisciplinary corporate
responsibility literature, that which appears in the management literature. The received conceptualization
of stakeholder analysis is criticised by identifying six sets of factors conventionally considered as promoting social responsibilities in the firm: inter-organizational factors, economic competitors, institutional investors, end-consumers, government
regulators and non-governmental
organizations. Each is addressed on conceptual grounds, its empirical salience in terms of the latest relevant research and prospects
to be a significant factor in promoting outcomes consistent with social welfare. Despite obvious antagonistic
relations between organization-
centred economic objectives and extra-organizational-directed social considerations, the huge body of research we address drifts in a disengaged Sargasso Sea. The essay argues for appropriate directions for continuing business ethics/responsibility/
corporate citizenship research, suggesting certain sociological works on moral leadership, moral courage, and academic leadership.`