Global Compact Membership and the Automobile Industry - A U.S. - German comparison

The Global Compact (GC) is a multistakeholder initiative that was introduced in 1999 by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The initiative aims at filling the governance void of the global economy. While 47% of the 2659 participating companies are based in Europe, U.S. American companies constitute only 3% of the business participants. This book analyzes reasons for joining or not joining the Global Compact. Six determinants are used to analyze a companys decision to join or not to join the initiative; they are the consumers, employees, and shareholders expectations, the feasability of the Compacts requirements, the companys world view regarding the United Nations as well as Corporate Social Responsibility, and, finally, the CEOs information regarding litigation risk. In addition, companies compliance with the Global Compacts principles or alternative initiatives is assessed by using a compliance model taken from IR theory.