The importance of multinational enterprises (MNEs) has emerged together with the expanding global trade and international investments flows under the process of globalisation. With the growing influence of corporations on the economy and society came increasing human rights issues, particularly in the case of MNEs operating in third world countries.
Multiple approaches have been developed to help solve questions concerning MNEs' responsibility for human rights protection. Traditionally, the main emphasis was placed on self-regulation supported by sanctions and enforcement at a national level.
However, these do not always solve the problem of MNEs taking advantage of different national regulatory regimes.2 Consequently, a number of actions targeting business conduct was taken at an international level in trying to react to internationalisation advantages in MNEs.