Demands for sustainability policies have set new challenges for business both on the individual firm level and on the level of organized business interests. This edited volume brings together economic, social, environmental, and cultural dimensions of sustainability that comprise different challenges for business processes and activities. The aim is to develop an overarching framework to the study of sustainability and business and to advance an interdisciplinary analytical perspective. The book establishes a balanced account that equally represents business as problem causers as well as problem solvers, and therefore responds to the urgent need to investigate the intersection between sustainability issues and business participation.

This volume provides a critical and stimulating overview of research on Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs). While it notes that the definition of NGOs is contested, and can include both business and national groups, it focuses primarily on international NGOs engaged with human rights, social and environmental concerns, and aid and development issues. The Handbook of Research on NGOs features contributions from Peter Willetts, Tom Davies, Bob Reinalda, Jutta Joachim and other key international authors. It provides readers with a series of thought provoking essays on both the general aspects of NGOs and significant issues of particular concern. This Handbook places NGOs in both historical and contemporary contexts, making it a valuable read for academics and research students seeking a detailed survey of the field. NGO practitioners looking to understand their operating environment in greater depth would also benefit from reading this important book. Contributors include: E. Bloodgood, T. Davies, T. Doyle, A. Elbra, H. Elsenhans, P. Fountain, F. Gale, J. Greenwood, C. Hsu, J. Joachim, M. Juul Petersen, A. Kellow, K. Martens, A. Mihr, H. Murphy-Gregory, D. Redeker, B. Reinalda, K. Ronit, J. Simeant-Germanos, A.C. Vakil, H. Warnecke, P. Willetts

This book investigates the contributions of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to policymaking at the WTO, challenging the idea that NGOs can be narrowly understood as potential 'democratic antidotes' to the imperfections of Inter-Governmental Organizations (IGOs). The book highlights the significance of interactions between states, NGOs and IGOs, in order to understand their contributions to international trade governance. Based on case studies in the areas of labour standards, intellectual property and investment rules, the author finds that NGO activities serve an agenda setting function: they publicize neglected trade-related issues, persuade others to support their positions, enhance the resources of less developed member states and highlight normative rationales for policy change. In evaluating NGO campaign tactics and emphasizing relations between NGOs and WTO member states, this book advances understandings of the parameters of NGO agency in global governance. The Making of International Trade Policy will appeal to scholars and students with an interest in NGOs, research institutes and thinktanks, as well as policymakers, national trade negotiators, government departments and the trade policy community. NGO personnel active on WTO and trade policy issues - both researchers and activists - will also find this book thought-provoking.