Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book demonstrates how the world’s leading companies are implementing global codes of conduct, including the Global Compact of the United Nations, the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Social Accountability 8000 and AccountAbility 1000. It provides a wide range of issues, including human rights, labour rights, environmental management, corruption and corporate governance. The challenge for corporate responsibility is that each company is different; each sector has different priorities. The chapter focuses on interviews with the standard-setters, with the implementers of standards, with academics, with activists and with other key stakeholders from around the world. Each of the standards and codes described has been shared with the promulgators of the instrument to ensure that the information is as up to date as possible.