About the Journal

InSearch: International Journal of Law, Business & Human Rights is a peer-reviewed, international, and open-access journal dedicated to fostering critical discourse at the intersection of three of the most dynamic fields in modern society. "InSearch" provides a scholarly platform for high-impact, original research that explores the complex and often contentious interplay between legal frameworks, corporate conduct, and the advancement of human rights.

Our mission is to bridge the gap between theory and practice by publishing rigorous analyses relevant to academics, legal practitioners, business leaders, and policymakers worldwide. InSearch is published two times a year, in January and August

 

FOCUS AND SCOPE

FOCUS

InSearch: Asean Journal of Law, Business & Human Rights is a peer-reviewed, open-access, and interdisciplinary journal dedicated to the critical intersection of law, business, and human rights specifically within the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The journal's primary focus is to serve as the premier scholarly forum for rigorous analysis, critical discourse, and policy-relevant research on the unique challenges and opportunities at this nexus in Southeast Asia. We aim to bridge the gap between international standards (such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights) and their practical application and legal enforcement within the diverse legal, economic, and socio-cultural landscapes of ASEAN member states.

We seek to amplify perspectives from academics, legal practitioners, policymakers, and civil society, particularly those from the ASEAN region, to foster a deeper understanding of responsible business conduct and sustainable development.

SCOPE

The journal welcomes high-quality, original, and unpublished manuscripts from scholars and practitioners on a wide range of topics. The scope is interdisciplinary and includes, but is not limited to:

  • Corporate Human Rights Due Dligence (HRDD): Legal status, implementation, and industry-specific challenges (e.g., palm oil, garments, electronics) in ASEAN.

  • Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG): The legal and regulatory dimensions of ESG frameworks and corporate accountability in Southeast Asia.

  • Labour Rights & Global Supply Chains: Issues of modern slavery, forced labour, minimum wage, freedom of association, and the protection of migrant workers within ASEAN.

  • Business, Technology & Digital Rights: Corporate responsibility related to data privacy, digital surveillance, "gig economy" labour rights, and platform governance in the region.

  • Investment, Trade & Human Rights: The human rights implications of international investment agreements (IIAs), arbitration (ISDS), and regional trade pacts (e.g., RCEP) involving ASEAN members.

  • Corporate Governance & Anti-Corruption: The intersection of corporate law, anti-corruption measures, and their impact on rule of law and human rights.

  • Climate Justice & Environment: Corporate liability for environmental degradation, transboundary haze, deforestation, and the rights of indigenous communities in Southeast Asia.

  • ASEAN Institutional Frameworks: The role and effectiveness of ASEAN bodies (e.g., AICHR, AEC) in shaping regional business and human rights norms.

  • Corporate Accountability & Access to Remedy: Legal and non-legal mechanisms for holding corporations accountable for human rights abuses in the region.

  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Business Ethics: Theoretical, empirical, and comparative studies on CSR and ethical business practices in the ASEAN context.

  • International Economic Law: Broader issues of regional trade law (e.g., AEC), international finance, and its impact on domestic legal orders in ASEAN.

  • Comparative Law in ASEAN: Comparative analysis of business law, company law, investment law, or human rights law among ASEAN member states.

  • Dispute Resolution: Developments in commercial arbitration, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and other mechanisms for resolving business-related disputes in the region.