Does Global Business Care About Human Rights?

All global companies will tell you that they're committed to guaranteeing human rights throughout their supply chains. But how do we tell they're sincere? When it comes to corporate social responsibility, human rights is on a par with environmental protection. Both have something in common: Companies agree that they're important, but it can be tough to assess whether their position stems from a real commitment to the issue, or a mere desire to polish their brand. A new report, published by The Economist Intelligence Unit and sponsored in part by the accounting, tax and advisory services firm of WeiserMazars LLP, tackles that very question. Entitled ''The Road From Principles to Practice: Today's Challenges for Business in Respecting Human Rights,'' it combines a global online survey of businesses with in-depth interviews of human-rights specialists. Joining us on this episode to discuss the contents of the report is Howard Dorman, WeiserMazars partner and U.S. leader of human rights for the firm. He talks about what it takes to make a real contribution to the cause of human rights, and how far global business has come in that effort.