This Annual Report describes what adhering governments have done to live up to their commitment to promote the Guidelines over the 12 months to June 2013.

This 14th annual report on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises describes the activities undertaken to promote the observance of the Guidelines during the implementation cycle of June 2013-June 2014.

In a context of neoliberal globalization, have the processes of elaboration and implementation of foreign investors' responsibilities by intergovernmental organizations reached the realm of legality? Using an analytical framework and a methodology that combines international law with international relations, this book provides a twofold answer to this question. First, it demonstrates that the normative integration of foreign investors' responsibilities in international investment law is fragmented and consistent with the interests of the most powerful actors. Second, while using the interactional theory of international law to assess the normative character of several international instruments elaborated and implemented by intergovernmental organizations, it highlights the sense of obligation that each instrument generates. The analysis demonstrates that such a codification process is marked by relations of power and has resulted in several social norms, with relatively few legal norms.

This review uses the OECD Policy Framework for Investment to provide an assessment of the investment climate in Egypt and to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by the government of Egypt in its reform efforts.

Human rights due diligence (HRDD) has emerged as a dominant frame through which to conceptualise and operationalise responsible business conduct with respect to workers' rights in global supply chains. Legislation mandating HRDD is now found in several European countries and across various national regulatory agendas. Many scholars, practitioners, and activists are actively calling for further legalisation, believing that this will broaden respect for human rights. Yet to date, there has been little sustained scholarly analysis from a labour rights perspective. Observing that HRDD, as originally articulated in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, is open to multiple interpretations, this book examines global debates on the role and status of the concept. It also considers the implications of HRDD's ascension for transnational labour law as a distinct field of law, scholarship, and activism. Combining insights from transnational governance and business regulation with empirical analysis, this book argues that HRDD is not being institutionalised at either the global or national level in a way that renders it a transformative or even robust mechanism of transnational labour law. It also draws attention to the important, but largely overlooked, ways in which the rise of HRDD is leading to subtle shifts in the configuration of actors and institutions in labour governance.

This Annual Report shows what the 39 adhering governments have done over the 12 months to June 2007 to enhance the contribution of the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises to the improved functioning of the global economy.

This study of regime collisions in international law combines theoretical contributions by leading scholars in the field with case studies.

In a dramatic departure from its voluntary origins, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is rapidly shifting to hold multinational companies accountable for more than traditional shareholder performance. This CSR movement is embracing new environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks that both promote global sustainability goals and enhance accountability for negative impacts businesses can have on ‘planet and people’. This collection of essays by leading businesspeople, international civil servants, legal practitioners, academics, and other experts offers a forward-looking and pragmatic perspective that illuminates the major themes in this movement towards increasingly sustainable, transparent and accountable business practices. The collection shows how CSR has evolved to account for societal pressures, environmental, climate change and human rights impacts, international policy imperatives and the practical challenges of regulating commercial activity that transcends borders. The chapters offer an in-depth examination of current issues including: international frameworks and multistakeholder initiatives catalysing foundational change; the shifting emphasis on corporate imperatives to avoid harm to third parties; trends in CSR, focused on assuring the planet's future sustainability and social stability; regulatory initiatives around the globe, including Europe, North America, Asia and Africa; and extended accountability for activities of corporate group members and supply chains. The pressure and business case for companies to incorporate CSR into corporate governance is intensifying with each quarter, shareholder meeting, and regulatory agenda. The integration of CSR and new ESG frameworks into multinational corporate strategy and operations is key to sustainable business models that can generate long-term value for the organization and all stakeholders. Their acceptance as cornerstones of 21st century business practice appears inevitable. Taking full account of the imperative for companies and their lawyers to grapple with the practical and legal challenges in this area, this volume is an invaluable and pragmatic addition to the practitioners’ toolbox at this important juncture in an ever-more dynamic field.

Corporations have become powerful actors exerting increasing influence on society and the living conditions of individuals worldwide, including indigenous peoples. While it is recognized that corporations have a responsibility to respect indigenous peoples’ rights and the important safeguard concept of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), it is rather unclear what such a corporate responsibility entails from a legal perspective. This doctoral thesis thoroughly analyses the regulatory framework pertaining to indigenous peoples and corporations as well as the ‘case law’ of the OECD National Contact Points (NCPs). Based on this analysis, the thesis identifies currently applied features of indigenous peoples’ rights and FPIC in relation to corporate actors, determines shortcomings in the regulatory framework and the ‘jurisprudence’ of the NCPs, and makes suggestions for possible improvements.

The OECD Business and Finance Outlook is an annual publication that presents unique data and analysis that looks at what might affect and change, both favourably and unfavourably, tomorrow’s world of business, finance and investment.