A lame attempt or a conscientious commitment? : what is the future for corporate social responsibility and what role should the EU play in that process?

Abstract

The effects of globalization in business, have been especially impactful in the recent years. This process contributed to a series of positive outcomes for the business sphere, such as the emergence of a solid global market, economic development or increased competition. However, this phenomenon also entailed some adverse effects. The legislative process has not kept the pace with the heightened scale of business activities, resulting in a legal void, where human rights abuses are being committed, while their perpetrators remain unpunished. Taking this in mind, it becomes clear that the European Union, as a superpower, can and must do much more. A documentary analysis was conducted, starting with the historical evolution of corporate social responsibility, followed by a review of the main documents at the European level, as well as interviews with relevant actors in the field, and finalizing with the forecast for CSR and for business and human rights. Through this research, it was possible to conclude, that the EU should go back to its initial position, as one of the front-runners in the advancement of this field, particularly by engaging actively in the negotiation process of the binding treaty on business and human rights. Finally, this dissertation has also highlighted that the pertinence of this debate, opens the opportunity for further investigation and also, how in this field, the establishment of partnerships and synergies should be prioritized.