Review of International Business and Human Rights Research Papers

This literature review examines the complex relationship between international business and human rights, drawing on multiple academic sources. It highlights the increasing importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a globalized world, emphasizing the role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in respecting universal human rights. The review explores how international codes of conduct, such as those promoted by the UN and OECD, aim to regulate business activities and hold companies accountable for human rights infringements. It discusses the interplay between institutional settings and MNE strategies, the influence of cultural orientations on responsible management, and the impact of technological advancements and emerging markets on human rights risks. The review also addresses the significance of responsible innovation and entrepreneurial activity in protecting human rights within the context of global value chains and societal development. It concludes by underscoring the need for businesses to adapt their policies and practices in response to pressures from investors, stakeholders, and evolving market dynamics.

Running head: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
International Business and Human Rights
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

1INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
This article talks about the fact that the social along with the environmental issues are
transcending the national borders which is having a negative effect on a large number of the
people. This article states that the multi-national enterprises should be held accountable for
the operations that infringes the human rights. The article states that UN along with OECD
have launched initiatives that can help in regulating business activities with the help of the
international codes of the conduct (Kolk 2016). The UN Guiding Principles on Business and
Human Rights have identified the responsibility of the companies in the event of respecting
the universal human rights when they operate in the global arena.
This article has been written for the purpose of bringing out the essential fact how the
international human rights infringe on the rights of the individuals in the society. The
international business scholars has stated that extending the responsibility of the human rights
does not signify privatization of the human rights but the extension of the corporate
responsibility in the public arena (Wettstein et al. 2019). Corporate Social Responsibility
refers to praiseworthy behaviour that goes beyond call of the duty. The article talks about the
fact that rights can be claimed and it co-relates with the obligations. The existing of the weak
institutions paves the path for situations pertaining to the dismal protection of the human
rights. The international business scholars has talked about has focussed on the interplay
taking place in between the institutional settings along with the strategies of the multi-
national enterprises. The dearth of the institutions influences the market activities of the
multi-national enterprises.
The article has elaborated on how the cultural orientations can be said to be linked to
the responsible conduct of the managers of a firm. The article states that culture can influence
‘norming’ pertaining to the sustainability initiatives along with the conforming of the firms
with pressures that are coming out of the firm (Kolk 2016). The article discusses that rising of
the multinationals can change global economy in a manner that is profound. The article has

2INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
talked about the fact that emerging markets has gained prominence within world economy in
the present age. The article has talked about the fact that the multi-national enterprises have
harvested strategic potential pertaining to the sustainability standards.
The article has stated that automation can pave the path for the creation of new
opportunities but it also brings to the fore the structural human rights risk. Transformation of
the value chains by that of the innovative technologies can have major implications for that of
the human rights (Sullivan and Robinson 2017). The article brings out the fact that diffusion
of the new products along with the processes can help in addressing the prerequisites for the
human rights by offering respect to the global society. Entrepreneurial activity can help in
driving the financial performance and it can also lead to the societal development.
Responsible innovation by interacting with the new technologies can play an important role
in protecting the human rights.

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References
Kolk, A., 2016. The social responsibility of international business: From ethics and the
environment to CSR and sustainable development. Journal of World Business, 51(1), pp.23-
34.
Sullivan, R. and Robinson, M. eds., 2017. Business and human rights: dilemmas and
solutions. Routledge.
Wettstein, F., Giuliani, E., Santangelo, G.D. and Stahl, G.K., 2019. International business and
human rights: A research agenda. Journal of World Business, 54(1), pp.54-65.