Abstract

For those who missed the talk: listen to the audio: http://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/1330263

Lecture Slides and Pictures of the talk are here: http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cisa/Multimedia.html

Abstract:

There is an emerging global consensus on good business practice that includes attention to human rights and sustainability, which has found formal expression in the United Nations Global Compact and the Ruggie Principles. While the demand on business to uphold basic commitments to the protection of huamn rights and sustainability is not yet lgeally binding, there is an increasing moral pressure on business, which has been enhanced through an increading awareness and reporting of business practices around the world. Using the idea of economic externalities, this talk accepts the moral premise of this demand, but presents a business case for why companies ought to uphold these commitments and how good practice can have business benefits. The talk outlines the evolution of international business using the case of Apple, the ways in which business activity intersects with particular categories and dimensions of human rights, the obstacles to achieving best practice, and the way forward for a sustainable capitalism that is less transactional and more transformational.

Bio: Todd Landman researches, teaches, and publishes on significant problems and methods associated with development, democracy and human rights. He received a BA in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania in 1988, an MA in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University in 1990, an MA in Political Science from the University of Colorado in 1993, and a PhD in Government from the University of Essex in the UK in 2000. He is primarily based at the University of Essex, but has taught on a variety of training and capacity building activities in Brazil, China, Finland, Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugual, Sweden, Uganda and the United States. His work is theory-driven empirical analysis on key topics informed by a normative concern for peace, justice, democracy, and rights.

Chaired by: Stelios Zyglidopoulos, University Lecturer in Strategy, Judge Business School

The talk will be followed by a Formal dinner with the speaker. Tickets will be advertised among CISA members, see http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cisa. For questions about the formal, please get in touch with: Banu Turnaoglu bturnaoglu@gmail.com.