Social Responsibility Of Multinational Companies: An Analysis From Legal Perspective

While globalization facilitates economic development and prosperity, it also leads to the restructuring of the existing global interest pattern and hence exacerbates various social conflicts. Thanks to the world-wide resource flow and globalized manufacturing, multination companies are able to circumvent the discipline of both the international law and the law in the host countries. As a result, multination companies are making more profit by taking advantage of the low manufacturing costs in the host countries. The dark side of globalization, such as the violation of consumer rights and environmental pollution, triggered the strong resistance of consumers, worker unions, environment protection organizations and other Non-government organizations who are strongly arguing for the social responsibility for multinational companies. With no exception, the campaign for corporate social responsibility is spreading to China. To address the issue of social responsibility for multinational companies, the present thesis is organized as follows.Chapter 1 "The origin of social responsibility of multinational companies: concept and content" mainly conceptualize corporate social responsibility by discussing its origin and content.Chapter 2 "The evolution of social responsibility of multinational companies and its influence" This chapter discusses the evolution of corporate social responsibility and the underlying driving force by analyzing the role played by consumers, employee organizations, social responsibility organizations, governments, and other international organizations in the evolution process.Chapter 3 "Analysis on the legal issue of social responsibility of multinational companies" This chapter discusses the status quo of legislation regarding social responsibility of multinational companies and its bounding force in international community. Furthermore, the justification of incorporating social responsibility in corporate law will be presented. The chapter will be concluded with a categorization and analysis of the clauses regarding social responsibility of multinational companies in China's corporate law.Chapter 4 "Social responsibility of multinational companies in China and the legal solution" By analyzing the activities regarding social responsibility of multinational companies in China, this chapter explores the necessity of practicing corporate social responsibility in China and then yields suggestions on the incorporation of corporate social responsibility in China's corporate law.