Gender Equality in the Codes of Conduct of Multinational Companies

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis has been to describe whether aspects on gender equality is addressed in the codes of conduct of multinational corporations. A code of conduct is a document where principles on corporate social responsibility are formulated. I have focused on four Swedish multinational corporations and their codes of conduct. The companies are Electrolux, Ericsson, Skanska and Volvo. In order to examine how gender equality is addressed in the codes of conduct of these companies, I have studied the structure and content of the codes of conduct and conducted a questionnaire that representatives of the companies have answered. Causes behind formulating codes of conduct, the position and status of these documents as well as how they are communicated is discussed and comparisons are made to the so-called equal opportunities plan. In this thesis I show that aspects on gender equality is only formulated by one company in its code of conduct. In all four companies gender is mentioned in relation to a non-discrimination principle, being one among many causes for discrimination that the companies do not accept. Aspects on gender equality in terms of equality in working life between women and men are however only expressed in one code of conduct.