'Corruption is a world-wide phenomeon, far from being confined to developing countries. Neverthless, it does constitute a special problem in the developing world.'

'Cross-sector partnerships between communities, corporations, governments, donors and civil society organisations are being promoted as means for sustainable development. They offer a new approach that challenges the traditional donor-recipient relationship. However, there is little solid research to indicate which partnership models have the greatest potential to eradicate poverty.' Decent Workplaces, Self-Regulation and CSR: From Puff to Stuff?’, DESA Working Paper 62, DESA: New York, by Guy more...

Does corporate social responsibility really make for socially responsible corporations? We need to understand its impacts if it is to benefit society rather than simply make companies feel good about themselves. This is particularly important if the private sector wants to become a partner in international development.
Source(s): ‘Reasons to be Cheerful? What we know about CSR’s Impact’, Third World Quarterly, Vol.28, No.4, pages 683-695, by Michael Blowfield, 2007

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a badge of respectability for major companies. But voluntary initiatives to promote socially responsible business practices can never replace protective legislation. Nevertheless, financial incentives would increase their effectiveness and improved inspectorates could encourage small and medium sized firms to improve their labour practices. Source(s):
‘Decent Workplaces, Self-Regulation and CSR: From Puff to Stuff?’, DESA Working Paper 62, DE more...

Publisher: International Institute for Environment and Development , 2008. This report presents the findings of an independent consultation carried out by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) on the World Bank’s preliminary idea of a new global forest partnership. The report is based on research which included surveys of stakeholder opinions in seven countries: (Mozambique, Ghana, Brazil, Guyana, India, China, Russia); a survey of indigenous peoples in Latin Ameri more...

'IISD's Tony Vetter was investigating the impacts of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on sustainable development when he stumbled upon a troubling connection. The last time the price of the mineral tantalum (a key ingredient in compact electronics) spiked, it helped to fuel one of Africa's bloodiest-ever wars. As the demand for mobile phones rises dramatically, so again does the price of tantalum. Will the fragile Congolese democracy be tested?'

This toolkit introduces key corporate governance concepts and their connection to market-oriented democracy, provides a framework for applying governance principles to emerging markets situations, and outlines the four-step strategy developed by the Center for International Private Enterprise for corporate governance reform.

Globalization theory suggests that across nations and regions the percentage of large companies with formal Codes of Ethics is increasing. Moreover, as a result of globalization, the content of corporate Codes of Ethics is expected to converge, revealing explicit principles, values, norms, and standards which the international community has accepted as integral to the construction and enactment of ethical workplaces. However, there has been little empirical work exploring the degree to which cor more...

A series of bribery investigations at leading European companies has helped to accelerate compliance with global anti-corruption standards as managers recognize the risk to their brands and reputations, legal analysts and international regulators say. IHT, May 7. By Nicola Clark.

A survey of European in-house legal chiefs has revealed that nearly half are most worried about bribery and corruption.
The 2008 Corporate Integrity Survey questioned more than 100 heads of legal and compliance at major European companies.
Bribery topped the list of the risk areas for 2007, with 48 per cent of participants rating it as one of the most important concerns.
Sharing the top spot in the survey was establishing an ethical culture. Competition and unfair selling practices fell from more...