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Who Watches the Watchmen: Soft Law Compliance in the Global Private Security Industry

Sandelowsky, Jonatan LU (2025) FKVK02 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to examine how soft law frameworks influence compliance behaviour among private security providers (PSPs), focusing on the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC). The study analyses how formal mechanisms like contracts and certifications, as well as informal dynamics like reputation and network engagement shape PSP alignment with transnational norms. Through a qualitative document analysis of six case companies, where half are full members of the ICoC’s oversight body, the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA), the study identifies varying pathways to compliance, ranging from strategic soft law alignment to reputational positioning. While ICoCA membership... (More)
The purpose of this thesis is to examine how soft law frameworks influence compliance behaviour among private security providers (PSPs), focusing on the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC). The study analyses how formal mechanisms like contracts and certifications, as well as informal dynamics like reputation and network engagement shape PSP alignment with transnational norms. Through a qualitative document analysis of six case companies, where half are full members of the ICoC’s oversight body, the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA), the study identifies varying pathways to compliance, ranging from strategic soft law alignment to reputational positioning. While ICoCA membership supports stronger norm internalisation and network engagement, non-members also partially adopt soft law standards, suggesting norm diffusion beyond formal structures. The findings further problematise legitimacy in transnational governance, highlighting how large PSPs may perform compliance to retain influence, and in doing so, sideline local actors, reinforcing existing asymmetries. Ultimately, the thesis contributes to critical debates on soft law, legitimacy, and the evolving structures and dynamics of global security governance. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Sandelowsky, Jonatan LU
supervisor
organization
course
FKVK02 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
soft law, private security providers, International Code of Conduct Association, compliance, legitimacy, norm diffusion, new institutionalism, relational-pragmatic governance.
language
English
id
9191330
date added to LUP
2025-08-08 11:25:02
date last changed
2025-08-08 11:25:02
@misc{9191330,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this thesis is to examine how soft law frameworks influence compliance behaviour among private security providers (PSPs), focusing on the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC). The study analyses how formal mechanisms like contracts and certifications, as well as informal dynamics like reputation and network engagement shape PSP alignment with transnational norms. Through a qualitative document analysis of six case companies, where half are full members of the ICoC’s oversight body, the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA), the study identifies varying pathways to compliance, ranging from strategic soft law alignment to reputational positioning. While ICoCA membership supports stronger norm internalisation and network engagement, non-members also partially adopt soft law standards, suggesting norm diffusion beyond formal structures. The findings further problematise legitimacy in transnational governance, highlighting how large PSPs may perform compliance to retain influence, and in doing so, sideline local actors, reinforcing existing asymmetries. Ultimately, the thesis contributes to critical debates on soft law, legitimacy, and the evolving structures and dynamics of global security governance.}},
  author       = {{Sandelowsky, Jonatan}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Who Watches the Watchmen: Soft Law Compliance in the Global Private Security Industry}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}