JEAIL > Volume 8(1); 2015 > Issue Focus
Research Paper
Published online: May 30, 2015
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14330/jeail.2015.8.1.02

Global Accountability of Transnational Corporations: The UN Global Compact as a Global Norm

Mariko Shoji
Keiai University School of International Studies
Keiai University, Inage Campus, 1-5-21 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 263-8588 Japan
Corresponding Author: marisht@gmail.com

ⓒ Copyright YIJUN Institute of International Law
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

The　nature　of the UN Global Compact has been studied from the perspective of three frameworks. The first is the theory of norm. The UNGC involves the creation of a network beyond transnational advocacy, as a transnational norm. The network of the UNGC is a public space for dialogue among participants. The second is the theory of subject. In the process of Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives, ownership of various stakeholders and actors including companies are discussed. Furthermore, it attempts to draw the sense of ownership and commitment from those who cannot recognize their ownership. The third is the theory of responsibility. In the age of globalization, in association with increasing multilateral actors, the concept of 'responsibility' should be multilayered. The concept of 'responsibility' should be interpreted stereoscopically and it will be necessary to understand and conceptualize many related concepts concerning 'accountability' such as 'responsibility,'' 'charge' and 'commitment,' with gradations.

Keywords : UN Global Compact, CSR, GCJN, Norm, Soft Law, Responsibility, COPs

View the Full Text