TRADE 7007 - MNCs, Trade & Sustainable Development

This course explores how global firms, or multinational corporations (MNCs), interact with the international trade architecture through the lens of sustainability. Taking account of the broad definition of sustainability it covers labour and human rights dimensions, but places particular emphasis on environmental frameworks. It charts the ways in which the trading system is incorporating sustainability into its design and explores how this design shapes multinational firms' approach to sustainability, and their consequent strategies. It also explores how markets are filling the gaps through various means such as ESG codes and practices. Throughout, the implications for MNCs operating in diverse markets abroad are explored through a combination of theoretical toolkits and practical case-studies. The course is delivered through the MyUni course page. In this mode, students are expected to complete all online modules prior to the face-to-face sessions.