Rethinking Corporate Social Responsibility in Times of Armed Conflict

The article explores the emerging concept of “geopolitical responsibility,” suggesting that companies may play an active role in shaping or intensifying international conflicts through their economic activities. It traces how this idea builds on existing soft law instruments, such as the UN Guiding Principles and OECD Guidelines, that in fact call for heightened corporate due diligence in conflict-affected areas. However, binding legal frameworks like the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive focus on human rights and environmental risks within supply chains, leaving the geopolitical dimension largely unaddressed. Against this backdrop, the concept of geopolitical responsibility remains largely theoretical but reflects a growing expectation that companies critically assess the broader political and security implications of their global business operations.