ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by surveying the growth and emergence of non-governmental organizations (NGO) and their interactions with business. It discusses how a specific form of NGO–the trade or industry association–emerged as an actor in international relations, representing often diverse interests in specific contexts. The chapter explores the increased interactions between NGOs and trade associations, especially as they relate to the development of private self-regulation. It examines the interactions between NGOs and trade associations generally, and specifically, in the development of self-regulation. NGOs have emerged as critical stakeholders in the global economy. Corporations increasingly encounter NGOs as expectations grow for companies to improve the social and environmental impacts of their business activities through corporate social responsibility initiatives. NGOs such as Greenpeace, Save the Children, and the World Wide Fund for Nature provide direct services to various groups and interests, while also interacting with government and business to initiate or change policies and programs in response to social and environmental needs.
