PROCESSES associated with globalization, economic liberalization, and democratization have given rise to certain conditions which are encouraging large firms to adopt a range of voluntary initiatives and multi-stakeholder partnerships to improve their social and environmental performance. The Social Development Research Center is conducting a research which aims to examine the relationship between these processes and corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSER) "and the contribution of voluntary initiatives (VIs) to social and sustainable development. The research will describe the initiatives involved, identify the conditions underpinning corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSER), and assess its impact in relation to social development, labor conditions and the environment. The findings of the research will provide inputs to the ongoing policy debate on corporate self regulation and civil regulation versus mandatory regulation.