FAQ overview

• What does the abbreviation SOMO stand for?
• How long has SOMO existed, and who set up SOMO?
• Does SOMO work to commission or are projects started at its own initiative?
• Who finances SOMO?
• Can I obtain financing from SOMO?
• How independent is SOMO?
• What can I do if I have a complaint about the working methods of SOMO?
• What is SOMO trying to achieve, and which target group does SOMO focus on?
• What does SOMO itself do in terms of sustainability?
• What code of conduct does SOMO apply in the performance of research work?
• I would like to know more about SOMO as an organisation, and keep up-to-date on the latest news, can I sign up somewhere?
• How can I work at SOMO?
• Does SOMO offer internships and/or final year projects?
• What are multinational corporations?
• What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

What does the abbreviation SOMO stand for?

SOMO stands for Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen: The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations. The research and activities of SOMO are targeted at sustainable development in relation to the policy and practice of multinationals.

How long has SOMO existed, and who set up SOMO?

In the early 1970s, large groups of Dutch people declared themselves in solidarity with the reform politics of the Chilean President Allende. The process of democratising the Chilean economy was threatened by the manipulations of multinational - mainly American - corporations with interests in Chile. The violent overthrow of the Allende government in 1973 elicited mass fury against 'the multinationals'. Several 'Third World' organisations and sympathisers decided to establish a research bureau to monitor the activities and interests of these multinationals. This led, in 1973, to the establishment of Stichting Onderzoek Multinationale Ondernemingen (SOMO). Two of the organisations involved in setting up SOMO were X-Y Beweging and Sjaloom.

Does SOMO work to commission or are projects started at its own initiative?

Both. SOMO is a social organisation which works on the basis of its mission and through cooperation in networks and consultation with partner organisations to gain a clear picture of the projects and activities needed to stimulate sustainable socio-economic development. On the basis of this knowledge, SOMO takes the initiative to submit subsidy proposals. Subsidies are obtained on the basis of clearly described plans, for which SOMO itself has end responsibility, and which serve a social purpose.

SOMO also provides services to other social organisations. A service is deemed to exist when the funding party also receives a consideration. In the case of service provision, SOMO works to commission by an organisation which determines the research question and subject (business, chain, sector or theme).

Both in the case of the activities SOMO itself initiates and activities which are carried out on commission, SOMO works according to its own code of conduct, in order to guarantee scrupulousness.

Who finances SOMO?

SOMO has several financing streams. Firstly, SOMO receives subsidies. These subsidies originate from Dutch government bodies, the European commission and other European governments. SOMO also receives subsidies from various national and international funds. Secondly, SOMO receives network contributions and contributions from various members of the networks which operate under SOMO’s roof. SOMO itself is also a member of these networks. The costs of networks, such as the MVO Platform, the Dutch Coalition for Trade & Development and GoodElectronics are divided between the members on the basis of annual plans. Thirdly, SOMO provides services to various national and international social organisations. SOMO is paid for these services. SOMO is required to charge VAT for these services.

Can I obtain financing from SOMO?

SOMO is not a financing organisation to which subsidy proposals can be submitted. General and other proposals received by SOMO can therefore not be processed.

SOMO is often the main applicant for a subsidy on behalf of a consortium or alliance. In such cases, the project partners are involved in the financing application phase. Organisations which want to work together with SOMO are requested to send a letter of introduction to the executive board.

In certain cases, it is possible that SOMO funds specific research for the investigation of a certain case. The conditions for this are described in a tender procedure which is published on the website. The scale of this financing is limited and is targeted at the acquisition of specific information, and is not related to subsidy proposals.

How independent is SOMO?

SOMO is fully independent and is not part of a government, corporation or other social organisation.

SOMO carries out research and guides its activities on the basis of its mission. This mission is not value-free, but is intended to serve the general interest and to promote local and international sustainable and social development.

The executive board of SOMO is made up of members who, in a personal capacity, supervise the functioning of the organisation and the way in which the activities of SOMO contribute to the achievement of the objectives set.

In order to prevent a conflict of interests, SOMO does not realise projects for which the management of a company is the direct commissioning party of SOMO.

What can I do if I have a complaint about the working methods of SOMO?

SOMO would like to hear if there are any complaints, or if people have ideas about the work of SOMO. In order to submit a complaint or idea, you can complete a form on the SOMO website. The full complaints procedure can also be found on the website in the SOMO Code of Conduct (pdf).

What is SOMO trying to achieve, and which target group does SOMO focus on?

SOMO is working to achieve global sustainable and fair economic development, and is contributing to the structural fight against poverty, environmental problems, exploitation and inequality. By carrying out research targeted at change and strengthening cooperation, SOMO wants to give social organisations worldwide, and in particular in developing countries, the opportunity to promote sustainable alternatives and to offer a counterweight to the damaging strategies and practices of multinational corporations.

SOMO focuses with its global activities primarily on the support of organisations in civil society which have comparable objectives to SOMO. These include the following organisations: trade unions, development organisations, environmental organisations, campaigning organisations, human rights organisations, consumer organisations, organisations for sustainable investors, gender organisations and international networks focusing on corporate accountability, socio-economic change, fair trade and the fair tax systems.

What does SOMO itself do in terms of sustainability?

Sustainability is central both in the primary process and in the support processes of SOMO. In order to promote sustainable purchasing in the business operations, SOMO has a sustainability policy for both travel and purchasing.

• Sustainable travel: SOMO reimburses employees’ commuting costs by public transport. In the case of work-related travel, no use is made of air travel within a radius of 700 kilometres from Amsterdam. In the case of work-related travel for which air travel is necessary, SOMO compensates for the emissions.
• Sustainable purchasing: SOMO works to ensure that all its purchases are of the most sustainable possible goods, or a recycled alternative. In the case of hardware, the choice of supplier is based on the best CSR score.
  

SOMO reports on its sustainability policy in its annual report.

What code of conduct does SOMO apply in the performance of research work?

SOMO applies its own code of conduct in the performance of research. This code is made up of rules which apply to the work of SOMO and which are also applied in guidelines for journalists and codes of conduct for scientists. The complete Codes of Conduct (pdf) are available on the website of SOMO, and contain the following elements:

1. Research must be targeted and be intended to serve a socially useful purpose.
2. SOMO only performs research if it can do this independently, and does not become the mouthpiece of a public or private body.
3. SOMO makes maximum efforts to ensure the reliability of the research results.
4. SOMO protects its sources so that they are not disadvantaged by cooperating.
5. SOMO applies its quality system to its research projects.
6. SOMO is transparent about its methods, sources and objectives with regard to research.
7. In order to increase the effectiveness of knowledge accumulation, SOMO looks for cooperation in the publication of research.
8. SOMO always ensures a right of reply if a publication contains accusations.
9. SOMO wants to be accountable for all its publications, and has set up a complaint procedure to ensure this.
   

I would like to know more about SOMO as an organisation, and keep up-to-date on the latest news, can I sign up somewhere?

You can sign up here for the two-monthly digital newsletter of SOMO, to stay up-to-date on activities and publications. If you would like to be put on the press list, send an e-mail to communication@somo.nl.

How can I work at SOMO?

SOMO advertises vacancies on our website and also publishes them on www.oneworld.nl. If there are no vacancies listed on the site and you are interested in working with or at SOMO, as an employee or as a freelancer, send a letter giving your reasons along with your CV to the Managing Director of SOMO.

Does SOMO offer internships and/or final year projects?

Yes, SOMO offers approximately 5 internships, which can be filled simultaneously. The themes and work can vary from research to network coordination, and from communication to financial administration. If you are interested in an internship at SOMO, send a letter giving your reasons along with your CV to the personnel administration of SOMO.

Internships at SOMO are in the form of work placements, during which the intern is deployed on one or more projects which are being carried out. Real final year research cannot be carried out at SOMO in the form of an internship. Obviously, there is some room within a work placement for the intern to carry out his or her own research independently, which meets the wishes and requirements of your course.

SOMO regularly publishes internship vacancies on its website or at www.oneworld.nl, but if you have a clear idea of the area of the work of SOMO in which you would like to take an internship, feel free to send us a letter.

What are multinational corporations?

A multinational corporation is a corporation which is active in multiple countries at the same time. Multinational corporations are companies which consist of a parent company and one or more foreign subsidiaries. A company does not have to be listed on the stock exchange, necessarily, or achieve a minimum in terms of sales or export figures in order to be deemed a multinational. According to the definition of UNCTAD (a UN organisation), a company can be deemed a subsidiary if the parent company holds 10% or more of those shares in the subsidiary (a different percentage is used in some countries).

What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

Corporate Social Responsibility is defined as follows: 'a results-oriented process in which a business takes responsibility across the entire chain of its activities for the effects of these activities in social, ecological and economic areas, is accountable for these and enters into dialogue with interested parties.' This definition is set down in the CSR Frame of Reference of the MVO Platform, a network of 35 social organisations and trade unions in which SOMO is a participant. The MVO Platform makes a distinction between corporate social responsibility and the social involvement of corporations. Social involvement of corporations involves activities or investments in a local or other environment, or for specific target groups or social objectives which are not directly linked to the core activities of the corporation, but in which use is made of its core competencies. For example, corporations can make an important contribution to development objectives, such as the UN Millennium Goals.