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Toward a model to compare and analyze accountability standards – the case of the UN Global Compact

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  • Andreas Rasche

Abstract

Although accountability standards (e.g., the Global Reporting Initiative and SA 8000) have made their way onto the agendas of managers and researchers, a model to compare and analyze these tools in a systematic way is a conspicuous omission. This article aims to develop such a model. First, we briefly introduce the nature of accountability standards and explore commonalities and differences between them. Second, we present a model to compare and analyze these initiatives. This model allows interested parties to discuss accountability standards based on an analysis of the content of their underlying norms, the implementation processes they suggest, and their context of application. Third, we apply the model to the United Nations Global Compact. We show how this initiative differs from other standards and also discuss its strengths and weaknesses according to the outlined model. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

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  • Andreas Rasche, 2009. "Toward a model to compare and analyze accountability standards – the case of the UN Global Compact," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(4), pages 192-205, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:16:y:2009:i:4:p:192-205
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.202
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    1. Andreas G. F. Hoepner & Arleta A. A. Majoch & Xiao Y. Zhou, 2021. "Does an Asset Owner’s Institutional Setting Influence Its Decision to Sign the Principles for Responsible Investment?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 168(2), pages 389-414, January.
    2. Elizabeth-Anne Thomas, 2019. "How Useful Is the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Reporting Framework to Identify the Non-financial Value of Corporate Social Performance (CSP)?," CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance, in: Nicholas Capaldi & Samuel O. Idowu & René Schmidpeter & Martin Brueckner (ed.), Responsible Business in Uncertain Times and for a Sustainable Future, pages 37-87, Springer.
    3. Cynthia Clark & Jill Brown, 2015. "Multinational Corporations and Governance Effectiveness: Toward a More Integrative Board," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 132(3), pages 565-577, December.
    4. Zribi, Wissal & Boufateh, Talel, 2020. "Asymmetric CEO confidence and CSR: A nonlinear panel ARDL-PMG approach," The Journal of Economic Asymmetries, Elsevier, vol. 22(C).
    5. Laurence Vigneau & Michael Humphreys & Jeremy Moon, 2015. "How Do Firms Comply with International Sustainability Standards? Processes and Consequences of Adopting the Global Reporting Initiative," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 131(2), pages 469-486, October.
    6. Sartor, Marco & Orzes, Guido & Di Mauro, Carmela & Ebrahimpour, Maling & Nassimbeni, Guido, 2016. "The SA8000 social certification standard: Literature review and theory-based research agenda," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 164-181.
    7. Orzes, Guido & Moretto, Antonella Maria & Moro, Mattia & Rossi, Matteo & Sartor, Marco & Caniato, Federico & Nassimbeni, Guido, 2020. "The impact of the United Nations global compact on firm performance: A longitudinal analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    8. Chen, Lujie & Feldmann, Andreas & Tang, Ou, 2015. "The relationship between disclosures of corporate social performance and financial performance: Evidences from GRI reports in manufacturing industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(PB), pages 445-456.

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