Responsible Business in a Digital World – What’s International Law Got to Do With It?

Christine Kaufmann

doi:10.17104/0044-2348-2021-3-781

Contents
- Chapter Expand | CollapseAuthorsPage
- 581–584 Titelei/Inhaltsverzeichnis 581–584
- 585–596 Comment 585–596
  - Environmental Injustice: The (Unaddressed) Case of Toxic Waste Disposal in the Global South Elif Askin Elif Askin
- 597–866 Abhandlungen 597–866
  - 597–600 International Law and the Internet Angelo Jr Golia, Matthias C. Kettemann, Raffaela Kunz Angelo Jr Golia, Matthias C. Kettemann, Raffaela Kunz 597–600
  - 601–626 Integrity in the ‘Infinite Space’ – New Frontiers for International Law Rolf H. Weber Rolf H. Weber 601–626
  - 627–650 Equality as a Principle of the Networked World? An Exploratory Search for ‘Cyber-Equality’ in the Field of Internet Governance Nula Frei Nula Frei 627–650
  - 651–676 Sovereignty Fever: The Territorial Turn of Global Cyber Order Chien-Huei Wu Chien-Huei Wu 651–676
  - 677–700 The Role of the Internet in International Law-Making, Implementation and Global Governance Annalisa Ciampi Annalisa Ciampi 677–700
  - 701–732 Cybersecurity and Cybercrime: Dynamic Application versus Norm-Development Antonio Segura-Serrano Antonio Segura-Serrano 701–732
  - 733–754 Internet and eDiplomacy: ‘Traditional’ Diplomatic Law in the Digital Era Stefano Dominelli Stefano Dominelli 733–754
  - 755–780 Microsoft Corp. v. United States and the ‘Hot Pursuit’: A Case Study Against the Application of the Law of the Sea into the Cyberspace Patricia A. Vargas-León Patricia A. Vargas-León 755–780
  - 781–816 Responsible Business in a Digital World – What’s International Law Got to Do With It? Christine Kaufmann Christine Kaufmann 781–816
  - 817–840 Cyberspace as an Example of Self-Organisation from a Network Perspective Cäcilia Maria Hermes Cäcilia Maria Hermes 817–840
  - 841–866 Interpretive Community 2.0: How Blogs and Twitter Change International Law Scholarship Ralph Janik Ralph Janik 841–866
- 867–886 Buchbesprechungen 867–886
  - 867–872 Goeble, Thilo: Freiraum oder Herrschaftsgebiet. Menschenrecht auf Zugang und völkerrechtliche Prinzipien als Schranken staatlichen Handelns im Internet Clara Rauchegger, Janine Prantl Clara Rauchegger, Janine Prantl 867–872
  - 873–878 Amoroso, Daniele: Autonomous Weapons Systems and International Law Elisabeth Hoffberger-Pippan Elisabeth Hoffberger-Pippan 873–878
  - 879–886 Delerue, François: Cyber Operations and International Law Rachel F. Behring Rachel F. Behring 879–886
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Zeitschrift für ausländisches öffentliches Recht und Völkerrecht / Heidelberg Journal of International Law , page 781 - 816

Responsible Business in a Digital World – What’s International Law Got to Do With It?

Autoren

Christine Kaufmann

DOI
- doi.org/10.17104/0044-2348-2021-3-781
- ISSN: 0044-2348
- ISSN online: 2942-3562
Abstract

The observation that digital transformation challenges some of the underpinnings of traditional international law and regulation also applies to responsible business conduct. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are the most comprehensive international standard on responsible business conduct. This article discusses the impacts of digitalisation on responsible business conduct and the relevant case law by OECD National Contact Points and shows that as a sui generis instrument of international law the Guidelines can play an important role in accommodating business as the key driver of digital transformation and in addressing the related risks on people, the environment and society. However, several shortcomings of the existing regulatory framework are identified, particularly with regard to the imbalance of state and business responsibilities and the challenges for adequate regulatory responses in a highly dynamic environment where developments are driven by the private sector. Therefore, a holistic approach, based on 'Responsible Business Conduct by Design' both in technology and regulation is suggested. Given the specific features and impacts of digitalisation on responsible business conduct, such an approach would need to be of a hybrid nature by including a variety of actors and models of regulation beyond the state. To create a safe space for experimenting and testing new regulations and for mutual learning the article concludes with call for a new interface and for exploring a 'regulatory sandbox' at the international level.
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