Multinationals and Corporate Social Accountability

Globalization has received much attention, most notably at international meetings such as those of the WTO and the G7. The most visible and influential companies, particularly multinational corporations, are singled out in these debates on corporate governance and social responsibility and have increasingly been targeted to show their commitment and the actions taken to prevent environmental pollution, human rights violations and other ‘externalities’ of international trade and production. This article argues that the very process of globalization, and the increasing size and impact of internationally operating companies, has also created the conditions for continued vulnerability and external scrutiny of MNCs.