Description
Book SynopsisThis essential Research Handbook provides a comprehensive and critical assessment of the global governance instruments related to business and human rights from an interdisciplinary perspective. Contributions from a diverse range of leading international scholars offer an overview of the existing literature and rapidly-evolving research discipline, as well as identifying key trends and outlining an ambitious future research agenda.
The Research Handbook first examines governance initiatives that operate across economic sectors, discussing both public and private initiatives at state, regional and international levels that seek to develop, implement and enforce rules with regard to the impacts of transnational business activities on human rights. Chapters then investigate particular economic sectors – including textiles, electronics, agro-chemical, construction, and finance – to assess the ways in which different initiatives attempt to mitigate risks and address business-related human rights abuses.
Scholars of law, regulatory governance, global governance, management, human rights and social sciences who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the emerging business and human rights regime will find this Research Handbook a crucial read. It will also prove a useful and thorough introduction for students, scholars and practitioners new to the field of business and human rights.
Trade Review‘The chapters in this Handbook present a comprehensive and sophisticated analysis of the wide-ranging initiatives of non-state actors to improve the human rights performance of global firms. An impressive and informative collaborative effort by two dozen distinguished scholars that tells us both what we now know and what we still need to learn about this important subject.’ -- David Vogel, University of California, Berkeley, US
‘A remarkable work with an impressive line-up of experts from different fields which provides an in-depth analysis of a wide range of issues pertaining to the field of business and human rights. A must read for anyone interested or working in the field!’ -- Claire Bright, NOVA School of Law, Portugal
Table of ContentsContents: 1 Global governance of business and human rights: introduction 1 Axel Marx, Kari Otteburn, Diana Lica, Geert van Calster and Jan Wouters 2 The United Nations Draft Treaty on Business and Human Rights: an analysis of its emergence, development and potential 21 Radu Mares 3 Business and human rights and regional systems of human rights protection: applying a governance lens 44 Claire Methven O’Brien 4 The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: what contribution are the National Action Plans making? 75 Carmen Márquez Carrasco 5 Transparency and human rights in global supply chains: from corporate-led disclosure to a right to know 99 Olga Martin-Ortega 6 Human rights due diligence instruments: evaluating the current legislative landscape 120 Robert McCorquodale 7 Public procurement as an instrument to pursue human rights protection 142 Sope Williams-Elegbe 8 Voluntary standards for business and human rights: reviewing and categorizing the field 161 Andreas Rasche 9 The efficacy of voluntary standards, sustainability certifications, and ethical labels 176 Elizabeth A. Bennett 10 No ISO fix for human rights: a critical perspective on ISO 26000 guidance on social responsibility 204 Stéphanie Bijlmakers 11 Seeking remedies for corporate human rights abuses: what is the contribution of OECD National Contact Points? 228 Kari Otteburn and Axel Marx 12 Business and human rights: what role for National Human Rights Institutions? 253 Linda C. Reif 13 The role of Human Rights Ombudsman Institutions in business and human rights 273 Jernej Letnar Černič 14 Regulating human rights in the textile sector: smoke and mirrors 290 Justine Nolan 15 The electronics industry: governance of business and human rights against a background of complexity 311 Peter Pawlicki 16 Biotechnologies and concentration in the agro-biochemical-technological market: risks and challenges for human rights 333 Ana Luiza da Gama e Souza 17 Human rights and the global construction sector: deconstructing the challenges faced by low-wage workers 357 David Segall 18 Ensuring financial sector compliance with human rights: from the UNGPs to complicity 379 Marta Bordignon Index
