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Global Framework Agreements and Trade Unions as Monitoring Agents in Transnational Corporations

Author

Listed:
  • Rémi Bourguignon

    (IAE Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Sorbonne Business School))

  • Pierre Garaudel

    (IAE Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Sorbonne Business School))

  • Simon Porcher

    (IAE Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Sorbonne Business School))

Abstract

In combining the micropolitics approach in international management, the industrial relations literature and business ethics, this article conceptualizes global framework agreements as an alliance between central CSR managers of transnational corporations and central actors within trade unions to monitor subsidiaries in the implementation of CSR policies. The empirical investigation, based on the qualitative analysis of ten French multinational companies, confirms the relevance of such a conceptualization. It particularly shows that central CSR managers hope mobilizing the union network to increase their capacity to supervise subsidiaries. Over there, it helps understanding concrete mechanisms adopted to implement global framework agreements since, in some of the studied cases, the managerial and union channels are coordinated precisely to strengthen this capacity. It, then, highlights the procedural nature of policies regarding global framework agreements. Overall, this paper examines the conditions necessary for mobilization of the union network and suggests avenues for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Rémi Bourguignon & Pierre Garaudel & Simon Porcher, 2020. "Global Framework Agreements and Trade Unions as Monitoring Agents in Transnational Corporations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 165(3), pages 517-533, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:165:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-019-04115-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-019-04115-w
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    1. Glynne Williams & Steve Davies & Crispen Chinguno, 2015. "Subcontracting and Labour Standards: Reassessing the Potential of International Framework Agreements," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 53(2), pages 181-203, June.
    2. Niklas Egels-Zandén & Jeroen Merk, 2014. "Private Regulation and Trade Union Rights: Why Codes of Conduct Have Limited Impact on Trade Union Rights," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 123(3), pages 461-473, September.
    3. Markus O. Helfen & Elke Schüßler & Dimitris Stevis, 2016. "Translating European Labor Relations Practices to the United States Through Global Framework Agreements? German and Swedish Multinationals Compared," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 69(3), pages 631-655, May.
    4. Stephen Mustchin & Miguel Martínez Lucio, 2017. "Transnational Collective Agreements and the Development of New Spaces for Union Action: The Formal and Informal Uses of International and European Framework Agreements in the UK," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 55(3), pages 577-601, September.
    5. Jimmy Donaghey & Juliane Reinecke, 2018. "When Industrial Democracy Meets Corporate Social Responsibility — A Comparison of the Bangladesh Accord and Alliance as Responses to the Rana Plaza Disaster," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 56(1), pages 14-42, March.
    6. Niklas Egels-Zandén & Peter Hyllman, 2007. "Evaluating Strategies for Negotiating Workers’ Rights in Transnational Corporations: The Effects of Codes of Conduct and Global Agreements on Workplace Democracy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 76(2), pages 207-223, December.
    7. Christina Niforou, 2012. "International Framework Agreements and Industrial Relations Governance: Global Rhetoric versus Local Realities," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 50(2), pages 352-373, June.
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    Cited by:

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