Human Rights A Key Idea for Business and Society Key Ideas in Business and Management Series

Human rights is an interdisciplinary subject as well as a foundational aspect of the law. The importance of human rights at the intersection of business and society is central, yet under-analyzed. This book provides an accessible understanding of what human rights are, how business enterprises may impact human rights for better or for worse, and how such impacts can or should be managed.

Human Rights: A Key Idea for Business and Society equips readers interested in the relationship between business and society with the foundational knowledge for engaging in debates and operational tasks related to the roles and responsibilities of business with regard to human rights. It covers human rights aspects relevant to common management tasks, including supply chain management, human resource management, risk management, non-financial reporting, finance, and stakeholder engagement. It covers opportunities and challenges related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate change mitigation. The book explains the foundations for human rights, social expectations, and legal requirements on businesses to respect human rights and how business enterprises should identify and manage their human rights impacts.

A concise introduction to a complex topic, this book is perfect reading for students of corporate social responsibility, business ethics, and international business, as well as an illuminating guide for researchers, managers, civil society organizations, government officials, and reflective practitioners.

1. Why a book about human rights as a key idea for business and society – and what to expect from it 2. The foundations and global relevance of human rights for society and for business 3. Theoretical perspectives: human rights, the BHR regime, its relation to CSR, and stakeholders 4. Transnational business governance frameworks relevant to BHR 5. Human rights due diligence: a management approach to identify and handle adverse harmful impacts 6. Corporate accountability, concern mechanisms, and access to remedy for victims 7. Human rights in operational business contexts 8. BHR in wider sustainability contexts: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, and fair transitions 9. Communicating and reporting on BHR: within and outside the organization – and perspectives for wider sustainability concerns 10. Reflections and outlook

Karin Buhmann is Professor of Business and Human Rights at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, and Professor and Head of the Centre for Law, Sustainability & Justice at the Department of Law, University of Southern Denmark.