Florian Wettstein

There is a tendency today to interpret business and human rights (BHR) as a part or a subset of broader corporate social responsibility (CSR) approaches. However, a closer look at the history of both discussions shows that the relationship between CSR and BHR is more complex. While the two movements may seem similar, compatible or complementary in promoting responsible business conduct on the surface, CSR may turn out to be counter-productive to the BHR agenda at a more fundamental level. The argument supporting this view proceeds in three steps. First, the chapter traces the historical evolution of the BHR movement from its origins to its current institutionalization in policy, in practice and as an academic field. The second step outlines the main conceptual and practical differences between BHR and CSR. More specifically, it substantiates the view of BHR as a critique of CSR and elaborates on CSR’s potential to slow rather than to bolster and support current progress in BHR. This second step is informed by the historical insights in the first part. The third step draws some conclusions and implications from the first two. Specifically, it briefly outlines and assesses three different scenarios for the future of BHR: (1) coexistence between the two discussions; (2) cooptation of BHR by CSR frameworks; (3) replacement of CSR by BHR.

This chapter provides an introduction to business and human rights (BHR) as a new research field in the intersection of corporate responsibility and international business and specifically reflects on it through, and relates it to, an emerging economies perspective. It aims at outlining the basic contours of the BHR field, clarifying its underlying rationale, as well as providing an overview of some prevalent issues and delineating it from other related concepts such as, particularly, corporate social responsibility. The chapter concludes with a reflection on some key research trends and themes emerging from the BHR field, which may be of particular relevance to international business and emerging markets scholars.

This contribution attempts to introduce the business and human rights (BHR) discussion to a business and peace audience and to explore some themes and research areas of common interest. BHR and business and peace are closely aligned; while they are not the same, there is considerable overlap between the two research fields. Conflicts of all nature affect human rights in various ways; furthermore, where human rights are protected, the propensity of conflict is reduced. After providing a brief overview of the BHR discussion, we will conceptualize corporate human rights responsibility as a political responsibility of companies and explore three research areas, which are connected to such an understanding of BHR in more detail. These explorations will set the ground to adopt a BHR perspective on business and peace in the remainder of the contribution. After clarifying the relation between the two fields more generally and in particular with a view on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, we will engage with two particular areas of research at the intersection of the two fields in some more detail – one looking into the past and one ahead, into the future.

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.

In summer 2011, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz launched a highly publicized campaign against the prevailing political climate in the U.S. and the respective “lack of cooperation and irresponsibility among elected officials as they have put partisan agendas before the people’s agenda.”1 Building a coalition with other corporations, they pledged “to withhold any further campaign contributions to elected members of Congress and the President until a fair, bipartisan deal is reached that sets our nation on stronger long-term fiscal footing.”2 Furthermore, in an open letter to his “dear fellow citizens,” he called upon all citizens to send a message to their elected officials in which to remind them “that the time to put citizenship ahead of partisanship is now.”3 Schultz’s political advance raised eyebrows not only in the corporate and political communities, but also among scholars concerned with questions of business ethics and corporate responsibility. Noted business ethicists Andy Crane and Dirk Matten, for example, commented: “For a business leader like Schultz to come out and so explicitly take a stand that effectively seeks to hold his domestic politicians to ransom until they do his bidding represents a fairly unique twist on the growing involvement of business in politics.”