1.11 Conclusion

This chapter has set out the perimeters of the study contained in this book. The study focuses on the roles and position of companies in realising sustainable globalisation. According to governments, international organisations, civil society and MNCs, CSR can contribute to this. The concept of CSR embraces the idea that MNCs should operate in a socially responsible manner with a longterm vision. In addition, companies are expected to publicly report on their policies and behaviour to ensure that they can be held accountable by civil society at large. Stakeholder engagement and mediation rather than litigation can also be considered to be part of responsible business conduct.

The chapter has demonstrated that CSR has been promoted by governments through legislation, and by international organisations and civil society by providing codes of conduct containing ethical norms and values, e.g. the civil society document - the Earth Charter, the GRI Guidelines, the Global Compact Principles and the OECD MNE Guidelines. Companies themselves have also positively contributed to the acceptance of CSR over the last decade. They have formulated concrete ambitions concerning, for example, sustainable water use. They have agreed on industry codes of conduct and sustainability labels, often in collaboration with civil-society representatives. They have implemented anticorruption programmes in their organisations, and have established PPPs to contribute to the MDGs.

In this chapter, it is pointed out that CSR relies on, and interacts with, certain legal and semi-legal frameworks, such as corporate governance, annual reporting, internal control and management information systems, private regulation, due diligence assessments, and the provision of information concerning products. The author asserts that these frameworks can support CSR, but that companies have to actively use them. It is argued that if they do, incorporating CSR in normal business practices will enhance their business position in various ways: from managing risks in a more comprehensive manner to having early access to new product and services markets. On a fundamental level, CSR will help safeguard their licence to operate because it encourages companies to firmly engage with the communities in which they operate.

Tineke Lambooy

27 June 2010