The Essential Conversations in Business and Human Rights (BHR) organizing team (Tricia Olsen, Annie Snelson-Powell, Kathleen Rehbein, Harry Van Buren, Michelle Westermann-Behaylo) are happy to announce our next reading group event, 22 April 2026, 4pm (UK time)
Catherine McDonald University of St. Gallen
Title: Bridging business and human rights and business for peace: A case study of Microsoft's multitrack diplomacy
Catherine will present her work on responsible business conduct in complex environments, specifically at the intersection of business and human rights (BHR), and business for peace (B4P). During the presentation, she will discuss how multinational enterprises can address issues of polycentric governance, drawing from an empirical case study of Microsoft's corporate diplomacy activities on digital peace in cyberspace. She argues for the importance of addressing B4P activities in tandem with BHR in a complementary manner within practitioner initiatives.
Reading list
McDonald, C. (2024). Bridging business and human rights and business for peace: A case study of Microsoft's multitrack diplomacy. Business Horizons, 67(6), 815-825.