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Codes of conduct for transnational corporations: the case of the WHO/UNICEF code

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  • Sikkink, Kathryn

Abstract

The WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes was passed by the 1981 World Health Assembly. Subsequent arrangements between the Nestlé Corporation and its nongovernmental critics for the implementation of the code indicate what is possible within the normative framework of an emerging regime on investment and transnational corporations. In the baby food case the context was particularly positive. A high level of consensual knowledge, the successful strategies of nongovernmental organizations, the susceptibility of the involved industries to pressure, the brevity of deliberations, and the conducive atmosphere of the international organization setting all helped negotiators to develop a detailed code of marketing. Actions inside and outside the UN system combined to delegitimize commonly accepted practices, modify global marketing schemes, and alter national health care practices. In other issue-areas, however, such as Pharmaceuticals, the same positive convergence of factors does not yet exist, and the achievement of equally precise codes will be more difficult.

Suggested Citation

  • Sikkink, Kathryn, 1986. "Codes of conduct for transnational corporations: the case of the WHO/UNICEF code," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 40(4), pages 815-840, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:intorg:v:40:y:1986:i:04:p:815-840_02
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    Cited by:

    1. Muel Kaptein, 2011. "Toward Effective Codes: Testing the Relationship with Unethical Behavior," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 99(2), pages 233-251, March.
    2. Mamudu, Hadii M. & Hammond, Ross & Glantz, Stanton, 2008. "Tobacco industry attempts to counter the World Bank report curbing the epidemic and obstruct the WHO framework convention on tobacco control," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(11), pages 1690-1699, December.
    3. Ghafele, Roya & Mercer, Angus, 2011. "A Mountain Biker cannot start a journey in sixth gear: An Assessment of the U.N. Global Compact’s Use of Soft Law as a Global Governance Structure for Corporate Social Responsibility," MPRA Paper 37861, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Beckmann, Markus & Pies, Ingo, 2006. "Freiheit durch Bindung - Zur ökonomischen Logik von Verhaltenskodizes," Discussion Papers 2006-9, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Chair of Economic Ethics.
    5. Kaptein, S.P. & Schwartz, M.S., 2007. "The Effectiveness of Business Codes: A Critical Examination of Existing Studies and the Development of an Integrated Research Model," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2007-030-ORG, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    6. Gorwa, Robert, 2019. "What is Platform Governance?," SocArXiv fbu27, Center for Open Science.
    7. Andreas Hoepner & Thereza Aguiar & Ravi Majithia, 2014. "The Level of Compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes: Does it Matter to Stock Markets?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 119(3), pages 329-348, February.
    8. Kaptein, S.P., 2009. "From Symbolic to Substantive Documents: When Business Codes of Ethics Impact Unethical Behavior in the Workplace," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2009-021-ORG, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    9. Markus Beckmann & Ingo Pies, 2007. "Freiheit durch Bindung — Zur ökonomischen Logik von Verhaltenskodizes," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 59(5), pages 615-645, August.
    10. Muel Kaptein & Mark Schwartz, 2008. "The Effectiveness of Business Codes: A Critical Examination of Existing Studies and the Development of an Integrated Research Model," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 77(2), pages 111-127, January.
    11. Graham, David & Woods, Ngaire, 2006. "Making corporate self-regulation effective in developing countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 868-883, May.
    12. Xiaohua Yang & Cheryl Rivers, 2009. "Antecedents of CSR Practices in MNCs’ Subsidiaries: A Stakeholder and Institutional Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 86(2), pages 155-169, March.
    13. Beckmann, Markus & Kraft, Diana & Pies, Ingo, 2006. "Freiheit durch Bindung - Zur Logik von Verhaltenskodizes," Discussion Papers 2006-3, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Chair of Economic Ethics.
    14. Gary Goertz & Paul F. Diehl, 1992. "Toward a Theory of International Norms," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 36(4), pages 634-664, December.

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