This paper considers the issue of corporate social responsibility (CSR) standard impact assessment
in global value chains. CSR standards have proliferated in recent years, and several studies have
attempted to assess their effects on local producers, workers, and the environment in developing
countries. However, much less attention has been paid to the “dark side” of impact assessment – the
ethical and political dilemmas that arise in the process of carrying out impact studies. This paper
addresses this gap in literature, arguing that impact assessments of CSR standards may do more
harm than good to the intended beneficiaries - developing country firms, farmers, workers, and
communities - unless these ethical and political dilemmas are given serious consideration
