The Global Compact: Corporate Sustainability in the Post 2015 World

Abstract

Purpose

This chapter examines roles and challenges for corporations in addressing Post 2015 world development objectives. Specifically it does review the contributions and opportunities of the principles of the Global Compact and other social responsibility initiatives for embedding corporate contribution to sustainable markets and societal development.

Methodology/approach

The results presented in this chapter are based on analysis of secondary sources and a literature review to determine conceptual and theoretical frameworks for identifying assumptions and challenges of corporate sustainability in the Post 2015 era.

Findings

It was found that although there are neither academic nor activist definitive consensuses regarding positive impacts of adopting the UN Global Compact principles for sustainability, the impacts of committed corporations, organisations and association are multiplying societal understanding of the implications in societies, governments and markets of violating human and labour rights, degrading and not protecting the environment, and having corruption.

Practical implications

This chapter could be used as teaching material for undergraduate and master courses of corporate social responsibility, business ethics, sustainability, operations management and strategy.

Originality/value

This chapter discusses firms’ responsibilities regarding world development objectives in a Post 2015 world.

Citation

Gonzalez-Perez, M.A. and Leonard, L. (2015), "The Global Compact: Corporate Sustainability in the Post 2015 World", Beyond the UN Global Compact: Institutions and Regulations (Advances in Sustainability and Environmental Justice, Vol. 17), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2051-503020150000017001