This book attempts to clarify the social responsibility of business
along global supply chains beyond mere profit maximisation as famously
argued by Milton Friedman. In this context, corporate social
responsibility (CSR) is understood as the responsibility of business to
align corporate policies and procedures with commonly accepted ethical
standards and to respect stakeholders' rights in day-to-day business. As
such, CSR is by no means voluntary but constitutes a fundamental
prerequisite for companies to keep their license to operate for
sustainaable growth and survival in an ever more competitive global
market. Inspired by Germany' recent efforts to regulate global supply
chains, Germany's Due Diligence Act is analysed in terms of its
potential and limitations to promote responsible business practices and
complemented by alternative approaches for more co-responsibility of
business globally.