Table 2 Network actors and actions... | Emerald Publishing

Table 2

Network actors and actions shaping reputational meanings

Actor	Action
Before the focal critical event
Corporate knights	Inclusion of SE in the Global 100 list during 2009 and 2011
SE	Illegal activities and environmental violations in China and Brazil Announcement of investments in Pakistan Not disclosing the consultancy report that highlighted child labor Resignation of the vice president of global responsibility due to divergent views on sustainable branding efforts
Bulleh Shah (and SE)	Formation of a joint venture with SE
SEBCON	Consultancy report highlighting the use of child labor in the Bulleh Shah supply chain
Suppliers of Bulleh Shah	Use of child labor
During the focal critical event
Veckans affärer and TV in Sweden	Public announcement that SE knew about the risk that child labor was a part of its business network in Pakistan
SE	Denial of accusations, for the most part (admits only one case of child labor) Inappropriate response by the PR manager
Investors of SE	Questioning the continuation of relationships with SE Decrease in trust and commitment Placing SE on an investor blacklist
SE business and stakeholder network actors	Demanding clear decisions and action plans to correct the situation and recover NR Questioning the company’s code of conduct Questioning the possibility of the business relationship continuing with SE Decrease in trust from investors and business partners Deeming it impossible to accept child labor
After the focal critical event
SE	Implementing internal changes, e.g. new code of conduct, supplier’s declaration, dialogical communication tools, more intensive CSR reporting and reorganization of the company Engaging in several communication and interaction events with its stakeholder network Admission of knowing about the use of child labor in its supply chain Stopped its investment in Bulleh Shah altogether Pakistani local community support, despite withdrawing its investment
Bulleh Shah	In 2015 / 2016, Bulleh Shah continued to brand itself as a joint venture with Stora Enso Until late summer 2017, Stora Enso continued to be mentioned on the website. From 2018 onwards, cooperation with Stora Enso is mentioned in the company’s historical description Began publishing sustainability reports in late 2019 As of 2025, the sustainability webpages focus on information regarding both social and environmental sustainability
SE suppliers	Must sign a supplier’s declaration, confirming that they consent to the SE code of conduct and will act accordingly
SE business network actors	Can report any misconduct or violations of SE’s code of conduct in the SE “speak up” hotline
Media	The supportive reaction to the company’s actions highlights the difficulty in controlling child labor issues in developing countries
Investors of SE	SE remains on investor blacklists and some have terminated their relationship with the company

Actor	Action
Before the focal critical event
Corporate knights	Inclusion of SE in the Global 100 list during 2009 and 2011
SE	Illegal activities and environmental violations in China and Brazil Announcement of investments in Pakistan Not disclosing the consultancy report that highlighted child labor Resignation of the vice president of global responsibility due to divergent views on sustainable branding efforts
Bulleh Shah (and SE)	Formation of a joint venture with SE
SEBCON	Consultancy report highlighting the use of child labor in the Bulleh Shah supply chain
Suppliers of Bulleh Shah	Use of child labor
During the focal critical event
Veckans affärer and TV in Sweden	Public announcement that SE knew about the risk that child labor was a part of its business network in Pakistan
SE	Denial of accusations, for the most part (admits only one case of child labor) Inappropriate response by the PR manager
Investors of SE	Questioning the continuation of relationships with SE Decrease in trust and commitment Placing SE on an investor blacklist
SE business and stakeholder network actors	Demanding clear decisions and action plans to correct the situation and recover NR Questioning the company’s code of conduct Questioning the possibility of the business relationship continuing with SE Decrease in trust from investors and business partners Deeming it impossible to accept child labor
After the focal critical event
SE	Implementing internal changes, e.g. new code of conduct, supplier’s declaration, dialogical communication tools, more intensive CSR reporting and reorganization of the company Engaging in several communication and interaction events with its stakeholder network Admission of knowing about the use of child labor in its supply chain Stopped its investment in Bulleh Shah altogether Pakistani local community support, despite withdrawing its investment
Bulleh Shah	In 2015 / 2016, Bulleh Shah continued to brand itself as a joint venture with Stora Enso Until late summer 2017, Stora Enso continued to be mentioned on the website. From 2018 onwards, cooperation with Stora Enso is mentioned in the company’s historical description Began publishing sustainability reports in late 2019 As of 2025, the sustainability webpages focus on information regarding both social and environmental sustainability
SE suppliers	Must sign a supplier’s declaration, confirming that they consent to the SE code of conduct and will act accordingly
SE business network actors	Can report any misconduct or violations of SE’s code of conduct in the SE “speak up” hotline
Media	The supportive reaction to the company’s actions highlights the difficulty in controlling child labor issues in developing countries
Investors of SE	SE remains on investor blacklists and some have terminated their relationship with the company