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Business and human rights: not just another CSR issue?
Type
book section
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Buhmann, Karin
Editor(s)
Rasche, Andreas
Morsing, Mette
Moon, Jeremy
Abstract
This chapter explores the business-human rights nexus and its tensions, challenges and opportunities. It provides an introduction to and overview of issues being discussed in regard to corporate human rights responsibility, guidance documents to help firms navigate social expectations on their human rights impact, and an increasing range of soft, hard and ‘smart-mix’ public regulation aiming to shape business conduct and impact on human rights. The chapter first looks at the idea and nature of human rights in general. It next reflects on the reasons – moral, managerial, political and legal – why human rights are relevant for business enterprises. Third, it explores the evolving international BHR regime as well as the concerns and initiatives that drive the BHR agenda, and moves on to introducing the UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs, UN 2011) as a current key instrument offering human rights guidance for businesses. In this context, the chapter also discusses how the BHR regime is influencing broader CSR norms and guidance, followed by a section on operational issues and challenges that companies encounter. Finally, accountability and mechanisms for remedy are discussed, both on a state and business level. A concluding summary is followed by a case study and student questions.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Book title
Corporate Social Responsibility. Strategy, Communication, Governance
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publisher place
Cambridge
Start page
379
End page
404
Subject(s)
Contact Email Address
florian.wettstein@unisg.ch
Eprints ID
260608