Henrike Jost

What sparked your interest in researching sustainability in global value chains?

I was first introduced to human rights due diligence laws through the podcast Lage der Nation, which discussed the initial plans for developing a German law. Initially intrigued by this emerging legislation, I didn't closely follow the ensuing debates. However, during my second master's semester, I attended a course on sustainability governance that combined my two research interests: human rights and sustainability.

In this course, I explored human rights due diligence laws from both corporate and stakeholder perspectives, allowing me to produce reports and a term paper on the topic. The course ignited my passion for the issue, leading me to actively follow discussions surrounding the German Lieferkettensorgfaltspflichtengesetz and the EU Corporate Sustainable Due Diligence Directive.

In subsequent courses, I continued to revisit this topic, further enhancing my knowledge and understanding of the complexities surrounding human rights due diligence in various contexts.

What is the focus of your current research, and what impact do you hope it will have?

The main focus of my research project is the policy-making process surrounding human rights due diligence legislation at the European level. This investigation traces the evolution of the initiatives from their infancy at the European level to current development, such as the Omnibus Proposal.

I am interested in examining the various advocacy coalitions that have sought to shape this legislation according to their interests and analyzing the strategies they employed to exert influence throughout the legislative process.

Particularly, I plan to explore the durability and stability of these coalitions, delving into the dynamics of collaboration among diverse stakeholders. I aim to understand the specific conditions and circumstances under which these coalitions successfully unite their efforts, as well as how they manage to navigate competition for limited resources and mitigate internal conflicts.

By illuminating these complex interactions, the goal is to enhance the understanding of advocacy coalition dynamics, providing valuable insights for coalition members and policy-makers. Coalition members may benefit from this better understanding by using it to inform their strategies, helping them discern the factors that contribute to the success or failure of their initiatives in influencing policy outcomes. Policymakers may use the results to come up with consensus-building strategies. Generally, the research adds to a well-applied theory and generates new knowledge on human rights due diligence laws.

What do you see as the biggest knowledge gaps in sustainable global value chains?

Knowledge gaps remain in regard to how effective measurement of impacts should function. It is essential to adopt a comprehensive and nuanced approach that goes beyond a mere tick-the-box approach. Therefore, it is important to explore what such an approach should look like and whether sector-specific approaches need to be established. This may involve engaging with stakeholders within each sector to understand the unique risks and to cultivate best practices that align with the specific operational realities and societal contexts.

Moreover, linked to the first point is the still not well-defined nature of human rights due diligence. Companies are expected to take proactive measures to prevent violations from occurring. This proactive stance presents a unique challenge as it necessitates a thorough and ongoing assessment of risks, stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of tailored mitigation strategies.

How do you hope to collaborate with others in this research network?

I hope to leverage the interdisciplinary nature of this research network to its fullest potential. By integrating insights from different disciplines - such as economics, geography, and law - I believe our collective research endeavors are enriched. This multifaceted approach will enable us to examine human rights due diligence laws through a comprehensive lens, ultimately enhancing the quality and impact of our projects.