In the last two decades, multinational companies (MNCs) and global union federations (GUFs) have started to negotiate so-called global framework agreements (GFAs) which define minimum standards for labor conditions across their locations. This book focuses on the question why companies conclude GFAs, and identifies four groups of incentives: reduction and privatization of conflicts; public relations; promotion of equal competitive conditions; exogenous requirements and avoidance of public regulation. Based on an in-depth analysis of incentives considered to play a dominant role in the decision of companies to conclude GFAs, the book attempts to predict under which conditions GFAs can be expected to proliferate in the future.

Felix Hadwiger studied Politics & Law in Münster (2006-2009) and Law & Economics in Hamburg and Bologna (2011-2012). He was a member of the DFG-Graduate School in Law & Economics at the University of Hamburg (2013-2016). His research focusses on labor law and industrial relations.