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Aspiration vs. Reality: An Investigation on Consultancies' Human Rights Policy Commitments

Cadonau, Greta LU (2024) MRSM15 20241
Human Rights Studies
Abstract
The requirements within the field of business and human rights are under constant change and rapid development. One of the foundational frameworks for ensuring the corporate responsibility to respect human rights is established in the globally endorsed United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This thesis establishes what the framework outlines regarding the requirements for the structure, terminology, and implementation of a human rights policy commitment.

This study seeks to answer the research questions: What are the requirements for the structure, terminology, and implementation of a human rights policy commitment? How do consultancies make use of the established requirements? To what extent do consultancies... (More)
The requirements within the field of business and human rights are under constant change and rapid development. One of the foundational frameworks for ensuring the corporate responsibility to respect human rights is established in the globally endorsed United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This thesis establishes what the framework outlines regarding the requirements for the structure, terminology, and implementation of a human rights policy commitment.

This study seeks to answer the research questions: What are the requirements for the structure, terminology, and implementation of a human rights policy commitment? How do consultancies make use of the established requirements? To what extent do consultancies realise their responsibility as a powerful actor in BHR? This is analysed through a thematic content, critical discourse, and comparative analysis of the policy commitments of the five largest consultancies operating globally. The theoretical lens applied acknowledges consultancies as a powerful actor in shaping business practice and discusses the challenges of the ‘resonance dilemma’ and ensuring transparency in translating human rights into business practice. The analysis and theory find that consultancies realise the existence of the requirements but do not comply with them. A minority of the analysed consultancies acknowledge their powerful position in BHR but do not realise the responsibility that comes with such a position. (Less)
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author
Cadonau, Greta LU
supervisor
organization
course
MRSM15 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Consulting Industry, Business and Human Rights, BHR, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Corporate Social Responsibility, Policy Commitment.
language
English
id
9166960
date added to LUP
2024-09-17 14:05:21
date last changed
2024-09-17 14:05:21
@misc{9166960,
  abstract     = {{The requirements within the field of business and human rights are under constant change and rapid development. One of the foundational frameworks for ensuring the corporate responsibility to respect human rights is established in the globally endorsed United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This thesis establishes what the framework outlines regarding the requirements for the structure, terminology, and implementation of a human rights policy commitment.

This study seeks to answer the research questions: What are the requirements for the structure, terminology, and implementation of a human rights policy commitment? How do consultancies make use of the established requirements? To what extent do consultancies realise their responsibility as a powerful actor in BHR? This is analysed through a thematic content, critical discourse, and comparative analysis of the policy commitments of the five largest consultancies operating globally. The theoretical lens applied acknowledges consultancies as a powerful actor in shaping business practice and discusses the challenges of the ‘resonance dilemma’ and ensuring transparency in translating human rights into business practice. The analysis and theory find that consultancies realise the existence of the requirements but do not comply with them. A minority of the analysed consultancies acknowledge their powerful position in BHR but do not realise the responsibility that comes with such a position.}},
  author       = {{Cadonau, Greta}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Aspiration vs. Reality: An Investigation on Consultancies' Human Rights Policy Commitments}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}