This paper investigates the responsibilities of the private sector in climate change mitigation within a capitalist system. It examines the incentives inherent in capitalism that drive corporate...Show moreThis paper investigates the responsibilities of the private sector in climate change mitigation within a capitalist system. It examines the incentives inherent in capitalism that drive corporate behaviour, particularly the pursuit of profit maximization, and how this affects the sector’s ability to engage in environmental sustainability. The research reveals that while companies can undertake certain green initiatives autonomously, their efforts are constrained by the need for profitability. Consequently, the paper argues that government intervention is essential to facilitate and enhance the private sector’s contributions to climate change mitigation. By analysing various academic perspectives, such as business sciences, environmental sciences, and legal sciences, as well as political sciences, this paper concludes that the division of responsibility between the state and private businesses is clear-cut: it is the government’s role to set moral and legal boundaries within which businesses must operate. This study contributes to the dialogue on corporate environmental responsibility by highlighting the limitations of private sector initiatives and the crucial role of government in enabling meaningful progress in climate change mitigation.Show less
A multidisciplinary( History/ philosophy/ cognitive psychology/ linguïstics) enquiry into the role of the ninth century Saxon Gospel Harmony, the Heliand. For thesis, I constructed an interpretive...Show moreA multidisciplinary( History/ philosophy/ cognitive psychology/ linguïstics) enquiry into the role of the ninth century Saxon Gospel Harmony, the Heliand. For thesis, I constructed an interpretive model based on three elements. These elements were: 1 the Interpretation of the Heliand by G.R.R Murphy, 2 Certain theories from H. Versnel's book: Coping with the Gods. Wayward Readings in Greek Theology and 3 elements from the Cognitive Science of Religion(CSR). This model was combined with the historical context of the Heliand and the Saxon Wars, as well as the cultural, religious and mythological world of the continental Saxons. With these elements, the Heliand was analyzed in order to find out how this Gospel Harmony might have worked in aiding the conversion process of the Saxon Lay Elite, after their forced conversion by Charlemagne a generation earlier. By looking at the allusions in the Heliand to the Saxons their old religion, society, or cultural values with the help of the interpretive model, I tried to find out the Heliand its working for the said conversion process of the Saxons.Show less
This research aims to identify the challenges to the effectiveness of a Cyber Security Raad (CSR) to understand the applicability of the concept “security networks” in real-life. Security networks...Show moreThis research aims to identify the challenges to the effectiveness of a Cyber Security Raad (CSR) to understand the applicability of the concept “security networks” in real-life. Security networks are collaborations between interdependent structures with a shared goal. This type of organizational structure is recent and under-researched making it extremely important to test this theoretical foundation. Therefore, a case study of CSR is chosen to explore the effectiveness of the security network. Next to that, a document analysis provided an overview of the council, its tasks, and its outcomes. This thesis demonstrates that there are three challenges to the effectiveness of CSR as a security network. First, a CSR does not provide an overview of the financial and bureaucratic proceedings raising the question of accountability. Second, the council lacks research planning leading to the absence of activity overview and tasks allocation. Third, a CSR does not clearly explain cooperation with other actors and what these actors do. This study is significant as it informs about the possibility of applying “security networks” to a case. It also provides valuable feedback on research design for academia and recommendations for CSR, respectively.Show less
The central question this thesis will attempt to address is: ‘What problems arise when private security companies are allowed to perform public tasks and how may these problems be overcome?’ In...Show moreThe central question this thesis will attempt to address is: ‘What problems arise when private security companies are allowed to perform public tasks and how may these problems be overcome?’ In order to narrow the scope of this very broad question, I will attempt to answer it by focusing specifically on PMSC activity during anti-piracy actions. The arguments in this thesis will show how the ambiguous nature of the current legal framework has caused a lack of democratic responsibility in anti-piracy action. This has led to a situation of increased violence and human rights violation as economic incentives have been allowed to precede social incentives. To increase democratic responsibility in PMSC’s, I propose that Dutch policy should focus on the creation of corporate social responsibility within the companies that are allowed to operate on board ships passing through high risk areas. It is important however, to be aware of the internal contradictions that face CSR-theory and focus on the possibility of omitting these obstacles in the unique context in which the Law for the Protection of Dutch Merchant Ships will be implemented.Show less
This thesis outlines the dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its importance for sustainable development in the region of Latin America. Two state-owned oil and gas companies,...Show moreThis thesis outlines the dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its importance for sustainable development in the region of Latin America. Two state-owned oil and gas companies, Petrobras in Brazil and Pemex in Mexico, are analyzed throughout the paper. These case studies establish that CSR is embedded in the contemporary socio-cultural structures of a country. Political practices of corruption in both cases hinder the positive impact the companies’ CSR agendas could potentially have on sustainable development. A final section concludes that the lack of enabling environments and strong governments hinders a potential positive link between CSR initiatives and sustainable development in Mexico and Brazil. Therefore, pressing issues of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation cannot be tackled by implementing CSR in its current form.Show less
The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is one of the largest global corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and seeks to mainstream its universal CSR standards (the UNGC ten principles)...Show moreThe United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) is one of the largest global corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and seeks to mainstream its universal CSR standards (the UNGC ten principles) to promote responsible business worldwide. Following upon research on other global CSR initiatives, the author points out that these supposedly ‘universal’ standards are not necessarily shared by corporations in non-western countries. Relying on a qualitative case study of three corporations in South Africa, the results show that the conception of CSR amongst South African UNGC participants differs from the ten principles. The author argues that to facilitate responsible business on a global scale, the UNGC should not seek to impose its ‘universal’ standards but rather utilize its broad network to come to multiple CSR standards which are attentive to local contexts. The study contributes to the empirical evidence on UNGC participants as well as the theoretical discussion on local and global conceptions of CSR. Show less
In recent years, China has made international headlines as a result of its poor factory labour conditions. Chinese leaders have observed that this international coverage has reflected poorly on the...Show moreIn recent years, China has made international headlines as a result of its poor factory labour conditions. Chinese leaders have observed that this international coverage has reflected poorly on the country and greatly impacted its image both internationally and domestically. Therefore new strategies to (re)build China's image have utilized CSR in order to gain a certain influence and stability in the national and international sphere.Show less
Onzekere tijden, veroorzaakt door de wereldwijde kredietcrisis die uitbrak in 2008 en daardoor verschuivende motieven voor het verantwoorden door bedrijven van hun kunstcollecties, zorgen ervoor...Show moreOnzekere tijden, veroorzaakt door de wereldwijde kredietcrisis die uitbrak in 2008 en daardoor verschuivende motieven voor het verantwoorden door bedrijven van hun kunstcollecties, zorgen ervoor dat deze collecties aan veranderingen onderhevig zijn en onderwerp voor debat kunnen bieden. De crisis had impact op veel bedrijven, waarbij vooral de reputatie van de commerciele banken het moest bekopen. Hierdoor zijn mogelijke motieven, doelen en verantwoordingen voor de kunstcollecties herzien. Door inzicht te bieden in bestaande motieven, doelen en verantwoordingen voor bedrijfscollecties en de ontwikkelingen daarvan door de jaren heen, beoog ik met mijn onderzoek een uitvoerig beeld te schetsen van kunstcollecties van Nederlandse banken en de wijze waarop die zich vandaag de dag (moeten) verantwoorden.Show less
Er zijn INGO's die mensenrechtenschendingen van multinationals proberen tegen te gaan. Dit doen zij door zich in te zetten voor bindende regelgeving en voor vrijwillige bedrijfscodes. In deze...Show moreEr zijn INGO's die mensenrechtenschendingen van multinationals proberen tegen te gaan. Dit doen zij door zich in te zetten voor bindende regelgeving en voor vrijwillige bedrijfscodes. In deze scriptie wordt aan de hand van de begrippen 'logic of consequences' en 'logic of appropriateness' uiteengezet in hoeverre de strategieën die INGO’s hiertoe hanteren ten aanzien van staten verschillen van de strategieën die zij gebruiken ten aanzien van multinationals.Show less
