Global Compact Principles Research Articles

Including the social responsibility of universities and sustainable development goals in the strategic plans of universities in Europe

AbstractSocial responsibility of higher education institutions (HEIs) and 2030 Agenda represent a new tool for improving the management of HEIs. This article aims to conduct an in‐depth study on the diagnosis of the integration of social responsibility guidelines (SR) and sustainable development goals (SDGs) into the strategic plans of Polish and European HEIs. The work shows connections and similarities between the UN Sustainable Development Goals, United Nation Global Compact Principles and the Polish declaration of social responsibility of universities and the forming on this basis the HEI's strategic documents. The methodology of the study was based on the content of open information published on the university's website and research questions addressed to two groups. First was Polish HEIs (N = 83) that have signed the Polish declaration of social responsibility by 2019, the other was European HEIs belonging to the United Nation Global Compact (N = 141). The results indicate that in the current strategic plans of Polish HEIs the process of integrating university social responsibility (USR) into strategic plans is visible at 61.6%, and 43.8% of strategic plans refer to SDGs, unlike for the foreign universities 37.2% and 62.8%.

Corporate social responsibility in view of the United Nations Global Compact principles and its role in achieving sustainable development Case study of "CHIALI GROUP" Foundation

The study aims to determine the extent to which business enterprises apply the United Nations Global Compact principles for Social Responsibility and assessing the level of commitment of these institutions to achieving the Sustainable Development goals. The study was applied to the "CHIALI GROUP" Foundation located in Sidi BelAbbes where a questionnaire composed of 50 items has been distributed, and analyzed using SPSS V.22 software. The study found that the foundation under study has adopted the principles of social responsibility stipulated in the United Nations Global Compact, and also the foundation seeks to contribute to achieving sustainable development goals. The study found as well a strong positive correlation between the adoption of corporate social responsibility and the sustainable development goals.

Exploring Norway’s Ocean Governance Aptitude against United Nations Global Compact Principles for Sustainable Oceans

Abstract For many decades, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (unclos) has provided the legal framework for the development of regulations for the protection of the oceans and marine resources. Further to that, and in an ever-changing policy and legal landscape, the United Nations Global Compact (ungc), with its sub-principles for the protection of the oceans, refers to one of the many United Nations (UN) voluntary initiatives that seeks to provide a framework for responsible business practices across maritime sector. In addition, and as a move to comply with the recent United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (sdg s), the ungc has been revised to meet the requirements of sdg 14 for underwater protection and sustainable ocean business conduct. In the wake of such trends, this study explores the context of Norway’s governance framework and, in particular, the extent to which this regime has addressed the principles of the United Nations Global Compact for Sustainable Oceans. Framed by a socio-legal methodological approach, it achieves this by reviewing and contrasting Norwegian ocean policy and regulatory structure with ungc principles for sustainable ocean and marine resource use. We conclude that Norwegian ocean policy and legal status indicate positive transitional standards and perspectives for their harmonization with the ungc principles and, consequently, with the requirements of the sdg 14.

Proposal for environmental guidelines about a religious foundation university since the global compact principles

The University whose foundational principles are based on religiosity contemplates the preservation of the environment from its theoretical principles, in this sense it was pertinent to evaluate the Institutional principles postulated in relation to the contemporary trends established by means of the encyclical “Laudato si”. Similarly, this article focused on analyzing how these converge with University Social Responsibility. As a result of the above, the preservation and care of the environment was found as a point of agreement, understanding this as the reflection of the manifestation of God. On the other hand, an environmental pre-diagnosis of the University was carried out, evaluating the consumption from three edges, energy consumption, water consumption and the generation of waste according to the main interest groups, finding seasonality with respect to the increase in use of them, that is, consumption is concentrated in the case of water in the intermediate months, while light consumption increases at the end of the academic semesters. Finally, through the environmental matrix of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the environmental aspects of the university were analyzed and measurement indicators were proposed in order to guide the University to the principles proposed by the Global Compact, aiming at reducing environmental impacts, generating awareness towards the preservation of the environment and the implementation of new technologies to reduce environmental impact.

The impact of international sustainability initiatives on Life Cycle Assessment voluntary disclosures: The case of France’s CAC40 listed companies

Based on an institutional approach to legitimacy theory, this paper aims to study the individual and cumulative influence of three international sustainability initiatives on the decision to disclose information on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and on the quantity of information disclosed. A total sample of 433 firm-year observations was collected from the content analysis of registration documents and sustainability standalone reports published by 36 companies listed on the French CAC40 index over a longitudinal period of 13 years. Results show that the adoption of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability guidelines, of the United Nations Global Compact (GC) principles, and of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) are positively and significantly associated with the tendency of CAC40 companies to disclose LCA information. In addition, the GRI is the only initiative significantly associated with the quantity of LCA information disclosed. Moreover, the results reveal a positive and significant relationship between the cumulative number of initiatives adopted and both the decision to disclose and the quantity of LCA information disclosed. Finally, in comparison to the GRI, the GC and the CDP do not encourage companies to disclose much information on LCA. The contributions of this study are manifold. It provides evidence that voluntary environmental frameworks can excert different normative pressures towards environmental reporting and suggests that companies decide to disclose LCA information to emphasize their superior environmental performance and to manage their legitimacy. It contributes to a more nuanced understanding of environmental disclosure by making a distinction between the decision to disclose and the quantity of information disclosed. From a managerial perspective, this paper demonstrates the usefulness of having multiple initiatives promoting sustainability, since their combined use leads to an increase in disclosure. Moreover, the results are likely to encourage international initiatives, particularly the GRI, to pay greater attention to LCA.

A importância da diversidade de gênero nos conselhos de administração para a promoção da responsabilidade social corporativa

Este artigo analisa o impacto da diversidade de gênero nos conselhos de administração sobre a responsabilidade social corporativa por meio da consolidação de sua literatura. Esta questão é relevante por abordar temas caros aos direitos humanos, tais como o empoderamento feminino e seus impactos para a promoção de um ambiente social mais justo e mais responsável do ponto de vista ambiental. A análise agregada de dezenas de trabalhos empíricos mostra que a maior diversidade de gênero nos conselhos está relacionada a diversos impactos positivos, tais como: melhores indicadores de responsabilidade social corporativa, melhor reputação ética e social, maior conformidade às leis e normas, e melhor qualidade dos relatórios divulgados pelas empresas. A conclusão geral deste trabalho é que a diversidade de gênero na alta gestão deve ser vista como prioridade por dois motivos principais. De um lado, por contribuir diretamente com os Princípios de Empoderamento das Mulheres da ONU. Do outro, por contribuir indiretamente para a promoção dos Princípios do Pacto Global, particularmente para aqueles relacionados ao meio ambiente e ao combate à corrupção

Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Rights – Role of the International Organisations to Regulate Business Corporations for Violating Human Rights: A Socio-Legal Study

This article explores the social responsibility of business corporations and role of the international organisations to regulate business corporations for violating human rights. Business corporations are powerful vehicle for economic, social, and cultural enhancement; particularly in developing countries via job creation and diffusion of technology, scientific advances, and management skills. Business corporations are expected to respect the sovereign interest of the host State. The latter is in turn also duty bound to reciprocate by fulfilling what it has undertaken while contracting with the business corporations. This article briefly making an analysis of the definition of legal personality of business corporations. Further to that it also explains the importance of corporate social responsibility in the human rights context in this globalized market. It also contributes with socio-legal analysis on international regulations to control business corporations such as OECD initiatives, ILO tripartite declarations, UN Global compact shared values and principles including SRSGs draft ‘guiding principles’ for the implementation of the United Nations ‘protect, respect and remedy’ framework. Finally, concludes with few suggestions to improve litigation and framing of international legal settings for regulating ‘business corporations’ against abuse of human rights.

Clients, clinics and social justice

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present a case study of an innovative, three-module pathway designed by the Department of Law and Criminology at Edge Hill University (England) in 2014. In addition to supporting the work of its campus pro-bono law clinic, the first-two modules aim to enhance and evidence the legal skills of EHU’s undergraduate LLB students, to embed a deeper awareness of the (legal) ethics needed for sustainable legal practice (within PRME), and to highlight the increasing need for socially responsible advocates, able to defend the rights of marginalised, vulnerable clients.Design/methodology/approachThe critical analysis of the content and scope of an innovative, work-based learning LLB module pathway, which furthers the aim of the UN Global Compact and the PRME, and ties them firmly to socio-legal issues and advocacy involving recent jurisprudence.FindingsThe case law used within the modules, and the practical work of the students in the campus law clinic, are relevant to social justice issues and to the promotion of PRME values—they promote awareness of human rights principles, highlight the importance of access to legal services and provide students with knowledge of legal ethics. Enhanced employability skills flow from this.Research limitations/implicationsThis is a narrow case study but still provides a useful analysis of an innovative, PRME relevant module pathway. The model mirrors international trends in clinical legal education and also offers a template for other law schools keen to promote the concept of ethical, just legal practice.Practical implicationsThe paper posits that enhanced employability can flow from real world tasks such as advocacy for marginalised or disadvantaged groups and presents an exemplar for other law schools wishing to embed ethics/clinical law practice into their curriculum.Social implicationsThe paper highlights how the campus law clinic serves the public in a deprived region—it raises awareness of human rights and of social justice issues. It has the potential to feed into litigation on social welfare issues (housing, social security, child welfare, etc.).Originality/valueThe discussion of the human rights case law that is used in the Year 2 “bridging module” (which prepares students for working in the law clinic in their final year) is particularly relevant and is analysed in detail, highlighting how this module pathway is aimed at promoting PRME and UN Global Compact principles.

Giving Voice To Values: A global partnership with UNGC PRME to transform management education

Giving Voice To Values (GVV), an innovative approach to values-driven leadership development, was initiated at almost the same time as the launch of the United Nations Global Compact's Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). In 2007 at the Global Compact Leaders Summit, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched PRME with the goal of aligning management education with the broader goals of the Global Compact and its commitment to values and corporate responsibility.: Similarly, as GVV was initiated, also a decade ago, with support from The Aspen Institute Business & Society Program (also the Incubator for the work) and Yale School of Management, its purpose was to transform the pedagogy and curriculum for values-driven leadership and business ethics around the globe. It is fitting therefore that GVV and the UNGC PRME have found many ways to partner in this work. The following pages outline: the conceptual foundations for Giving Voice To Values; the impact it is having in business education (and beyond); a number of formative collaborations with PRME over the past decade; and finally opportunities for future collaboration in the service of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

US Companies and the Implementation of the UN Global Compact's Principles

US Companies and the Implementation of the UN Global Compact's Principles

The United Nations Global Compact Progress Reports as Management Control Instruments for Social Responsibility at Spanish Universities

Sustainability and social responsibility (SR) have emerged as a new way of managing all types of organizations. It is necessary that the resulting policy be integrated transversely in the control processes. The environment is especially demanding of higher education institutions (HEIs) and universities when it comes to behaving in a socially responsible manner due to their great influence in society. Many universities have adhered to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) principles to prove their commitment and gain legitimacy. The Communication on Progress (COP) is a management tool that helps to understand the level of implementation of the principles. Furthermore, COP analysis aids in establishing a process of continuous improvement in the management of the impacts that institutions have on their stakeholders. The aim of this study was to analyze the Spanish universities that have joined the Global Compact. Through a descriptive methodology, we identified the aspects that reflect this commitment and how this is integrated into their operational and educational processes. The results have shown that it is necessary to promote the integration of different international initiatives to guide the SR of universities. There are deficiencies in their SR management systems that prevent them from being more transparent, and it was found that in some cases, they are not aware of the implications the commitment can have in developed countries.

The Performance of Socially Responsible Funds: Does the Screening Process Matter?

AbstractIn this study, we examine whether the financial performances of socially responsible investment (SRI) mutual funds are related to the features of the screening process. Based on a sample of French SRI funds, we find evidence that a greater screening intensity slightly reduces financial performance (but the relationship runs in the opposite direction when screening gets tougher). Further, we show that only sectoral screens – such as avoiding ‘sin’ stocks – decrease financial performance, while transversal screens – commitment to UN Global Compact Principles, ILO/Rights at Work, etc. – have no impact. Lastly, when the quality of the SRI selection process is proxied by the rating provided by Novethic, its impact is not significant, while a higher strategy distinctiveness amongst SRI funds, which also gives information on the quality of the selection process, is associated with better financial performance.

The Performance of Socially Responsible Funds: Does the Screening Process Matter?

In this study we examine whether the financial performances of socially responsible investment (SRI) mutual funds are related to the features of the screening process. Based on a sample of French SRI funds, we find evidence that a greater screening intensity slightly reduces financial performance (but the relationship runs in the opposite direction when screening gets tougher). Further, we show that only sectoral screens – such as avoiding “sin” stocks – decrease financial performance, while transversal screens – commitment to UN Global Compact Principles, ILO/Rights at Work, etc. – have no impact. Lastly, when the quality of the SRI selection process is proxied by the rating provided by Novethic, its impact is not significant, while a higher strategy distinctiveness amongst SRI funds, which also gives information on the quality of the selection process, is associated with better financial performance.