275
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
I. B. Franco et al. (eds.), Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Science
for Sustainable Societies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9927-6_18
Chapter 18
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Global Business Networks: Accounting for
Sustainability
Isabel B. Franco and Masato Abe
Abstract Corporate accountability has expanded rapidly in recent years as a tool
that business can employ to respond for corporate performance. Nevertheless, the
exercise of corporate accountability is challenging as it requires stronger corporate
capacity and commitment to respond to external stakeholders in alignment with
voluntary regulatory norms. In response, corporate agendas are being significantly
shaped by internal and external stakeholders that are employees, suppliers, and customers. Yet, an examination of the current status of accountability both as a historical trend and in current corporate agendas in selected cases shows an increasing gap
between policy and impact. Based on a case study method and theory building, the
research reported in this article shows the status of corporate accountability of companies operating in Asia-Pacific and adhered to the Global Compact Network. It
also provides some conceptual and practical tools toward enhanced accountability,
contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17)
and its targets Multi-stakeholder partnerships (17.16 and 17.17) and Data, monitoring, and accountability.
Keywords Corporations · SDG 17 · Sustainability · Reporting · Accountability ·
Disclosure · Global Compact Network
I. B. Franco (*)
Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, United Nations University Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo, Japan
Australian Institute for Business and Economics, The University of Queensland,
Brisbane, Australia
e-mail: connect@drisabelfranco.com
M. Abe
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Macroeconomic
Policy and Financing for Development Division, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail: abem@un.org
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
I. B. Franco et al. (eds.), Actioning the Global Goals for Local Impact, Science
for Sustainable Societies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9927-6_18
Chapter 18
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Global Business Networks: Accounting for
Sustainability
Isabel B. Franco and Masato Abe
Abstract Corporate accountability has expanded rapidly in recent years as a tool
that business can employ to respond for corporate performance. Nevertheless, the
exercise of corporate accountability is challenging as it requires stronger corporate
capacity and commitment to respond to external stakeholders in alignment with
voluntary regulatory norms. In response, corporate agendas are being significantly
shaped by internal and external stakeholders that are employees, suppliers, and customers. Yet, an examination of the current status of accountability both as a historical trend and in current corporate agendas in selected cases shows an increasing gap
between policy and impact. Based on a case study method and theory building, the
research reported in this article shows the status of corporate accountability of companies operating in Asia-Pacific and adhered to the Global Compact Network. It
also provides some conceptual and practical tools toward enhanced accountability,
contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17)
and its targets Multi-stakeholder partnerships (17.16 and 17.17) and Data, monitoring, and accountability.
Keywords Corporations · SDG 17 · Sustainability · Reporting · Accountability ·
Disclosure · Global Compact Network
I. B. Franco (*)
Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, United Nations University Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo, Japan
Australian Institute for Business and Economics, The University of Queensland,
Brisbane, Australia
e-mail: connect@drisabelfranco.com
M. Abe
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Macroeconomic
Policy and Financing for Development Division, Tokyo, Japan
e-mail: abem@un.org