The Politics of Knowledge Dissemination: Corporate Reporting, Shareholder Voice and Human Rights

Osgoode Hall Law Journal, Vol. 47, No. 47, 2009

37 Pages Posted: 12 Apr 2011

See all articles by Aaron A. Dhir

Aaron A. Dhir

University of Connecticut School of Law

Date Written: September 7, 2008

Abstract

This article considers the relationship between social disclosure and corporate accountability in Canada. It focuses on the potential benefits social disclosure can provide in terms of the overall human rights project. I explore this issue with reference to the broader theoretical frameworks of new governance and reflexive law. While I ground my analysis in these analytical approaches, I distance myself slightly from particular arguments in the literature to date: specifically, the argument that the disclosure process will result in self-correcting behaviour on the part of corporate decision makers. Rather, I argue that the value of social disclosure may lie more in its ability to empower socially conscious shareholders who will be equipped with information that can be used to engage corporate management in dialogue and influence corporate operations. I further contend that a movement towards enhanced social disclosure should be viewed as the corollary of recent developments in Canadian corporate law involving directors’ and officers’ fiduciary obligations.

Keywords: corporate law, securities law, social disclosure, human rights

Suggested Citation

Dhir, Aaron A., The Politics of Knowledge Dissemination: Corporate Reporting, Shareholder Voice and Human Rights (September 7, 2008). Osgoode Hall Law Journal, Vol. 47, No. 47, 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1807253

Aaron A. Dhir (Contact Author)

University of Connecticut School of Law ( email )

65 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, CT 06105
United States

HOME PAGE: http://law.uconn.edu/person/aaron-dhir/

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