This book discusses the tasks and functions of corporate governance in the light of current challenges and the dynamics that arise from a broader approach to company management and the integration of corporate governance with corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. Addressing the corporate governance shortcomings that are believed to have contributed to the recent financial crisis, it explores the interplay between corporate governance and CSR, and includes examples of company practice to show how such changes affect the practices of shareholders, boards of directors and regulators. In particular, the book examines shareholders’ activities, their different investment strategies, specific reporting expectations and the submission of proposals to the annual meeting. Further, for boards of directors it explores the need to revise their tasks with respect to the criteria for executive appointments, their corporate strategy, performance measures and diversity recommendations, while for directors it provides recommendations to reconsider the structure of executive pay and performance incentives. Lastly, for regulators the book investigates the need to introduce new laws addressing, for instance, the need for integrated reporting, limiting the voice of short term oriented shareholders and providing guidelines for executive compensation.

Corporate law and governance are at the forefront of regulatory activities worldwide, and subject to increasing public attention in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis. Comprehensively referencing the key debates, the Handbook provides a much-needed framework for understanding the aims and methods of legal research in the field.

The book first discusses the concepts of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility (CSR) and provides a new framework to deal with these issues in the context of sustainability. It then explores the requirements of "an end state of global sustainability" and subsequently moves to a detailed analysis of the current governance regime, delving into the CSR-related liabilities and incentives at stake for both corporations and their directors. It concludes with a framework suggesting that there are four normative avenues for addressing environmental and social imperatives in company law, which helps reflect on how to tackle the "potentiality for a sustainability gap" in corporate governance and CSR. The author always discusses practical realities and incentives, at both the policy and corporate levels, in addition to theoretical aspects. The thesis on which this book is based received the distinction "Summa Cum Laude" and the 2023 Law Faculty Prize from the University of Lausanne. Dr Christophe George is a Research Associate at the Centre for Business Research in the University of Cambridge. He holds a PhD in Company Law and Management from the University of Lausanne, a Master of Law (LLM) from the University of Cambridge, a Master in Management from Harvard University, and a Master in Law and Economics from HEC Lausanne.

While emerging market economies do not have a mature market structure yet, there is a need for research on corporate governance practices in these economies from different perspectives, including corporate social responsibility. Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility: Emerging Markets Focus fills the gap with a collection of high-quality research and policy-based papers addressing these issues, using various market cases as illustrations.Unlike previous books that often focused on one or several emerging markets, this book covers a much broader set of countries and tackles ethical, legal and societal aspects of corporate governance, beyond financial issues. It also discusses how companies work towards best corporate governance practices, particularly, in the aftermath of recent financial and economic crises. Readers will benefit from the wide range of theoretical, empirical, and case analyses, selected with care to reflect cutting-edge corporate governance and corporate social responsibility issues in countries with emerging markets.

This book addresses the increasing overlap between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and law with a particular focus on company law and corporate governance. What is the impact of CSR on company law and corporate governance and, vice versa? How do these systems impact on CSR? Do they enable, require or prevent the socially responsible conduct of companies, for example, through corporate theory, directors’ duties or disclosure laws? What is the role of shareholders and directors in the promotion of CSR?The theme of the book ensures a sharing of ideas and experiences globally and internationally for all jurisdictions to consider core legal and social aspects of CSR.

In a dramatic departure from its voluntary origins, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is rapidly shifting to hold multinational companies accountable for more than traditional shareholder performance. This CSR movement is embracing new environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks that both promote global sustainability goals and enhance accountability for negative impacts businesses can have on ‘planet and people’. This collection of essays by leading businesspeople, international civil servants, legal practitioners, academics, and other experts offers a forward-looking and pragmatic perspective that illuminates the major themes in this movement towards increasingly sustainable, transparent and accountable business practices. The collection shows how CSR has evolved to account for societal pressures, environmental, climate change and human rights impacts, international policy imperatives and the practical challenges of regulating commercial activity that transcends borders. The chapters offer an in-depth examination of current issues including: international frameworks and multistakeholder initiatives catalysing foundational change; the shifting emphasis on corporate imperatives to avoid harm to third parties; trends in CSR, focused on assuring the planet's future sustainability and social stability; regulatory initiatives around the globe, including Europe, North America, Asia and Africa; and extended accountability for activities of corporate group members and supply chains. The pressure and business case for companies to incorporate CSR into corporate governance is intensifying with each quarter, shareholder meeting, and regulatory agenda. The integration of CSR and new ESG frameworks into multinational corporate strategy and operations is key to sustainable business models that can generate long-term value for the organization and all stakeholders. Their acceptance as cornerstones of 21st century business practice appears inevitable. Taking full account of the imperative for companies and their lawyers to grapple with the practical and legal challenges in this area, this volume is an invaluable and pragmatic addition to the practitioners’ toolbox at this important juncture in an ever-more dynamic field.

The current theory of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is developing along three interwoven lines - oral, social, and environmental. Although everybody recognizes that although CSR is of growing concern in a globalized economy, it being at the top of the board of director's agenda and also good for business, there is no sign of consensus on its rules, structures, or procedures. Now, this collection of essays by leading jurists, businesspeople, and academics takes a giant step toward a more cohesive and durable set of principles that can contribute to a cleaner environment and a better society while respecting and protecting the interests of all stakeholders.