Frustrated with the limitations of traditional corporate responsibility, a handful of companies around the world are working to help develop vital institutions...In many countries, the absence of an adequate legal framework, poor enforcement of it, or a lack of institutions...mean that labour, environmental and overall human rights standards are low. There is...a growing realisation that the building and maintenance of essential institutions requires the help and support of companies...The prominence of John Ruggie’s work...also points to the importance currently placed on trying to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of business in governance...Although activity in this field is limited, Ethical Corporation’s four case studies...outline some of the work being undertaken in this area by large companies...[Case one: Business Action for Improving Customs Administration in Africa [;] Case two: Premier Oil in Burma [;] Case three: Judicial human rights training in Venezuela and Nigeria: the case of Statoil [;] Case four: Economic capacity-building in Azerbaijan: the case of BP]