Sustainable supply chains, corporate constitutionalisation and human rights: a multiple case study on the 10 biggest companies in Brazil

Abstract

This paper aims at discussing, in the light of a transdisciplinary bibliographic review and a multiple case study, the possibilities and practices related to corporate human rights obligations, in the systemic approach of sustainable supply chains and subcontracting networks. International and national legal obligations are focused, besides the institutional and procedural structures designed in self-regulation. As an illustration, guidelines and codes of the 10 biggest companies operating in Brazil are analysed concerning the statement of values, duties of suppliers, duties concerning human rights, mechanisms, institutions and procedures of due diligence, accountability and enforcement. The conclusion points out that the mechanisms of corporate responsibility concerning human rights are, in general, poor in relation to the provisions of rights and also insufficient in the procedures and structures for implementing and monitoring the compliance through the entire supply chain.