The International Organization of Standardization's 26000 initiative and the potential impact on the North American Free Trade Agreements: A mixed-method investigation

This study addressed a new, fundamental, and growing need within business: the connection and impact between labor-oriented social responsibility (SR) practice and multinational trade agreements. This research study revolved around two main variables: the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) new SR global guideline---the ISO 26000 initiative---and labor practice from among member states of the North American Free Trade Agreements (NAFTA). This research specifically studied the potential impacts from ISO 26000 on NAFTA labor practices; the study also predicted labor practice effects and potential protocol changes via a mixed methodology research component designed to analyze original expert opinions.