SLO in CSR perspective - A comparative case study from Poland (2018–2020)

Abstract

The article discusses the idea of social license to operate (SLO), which is currently one of the key elements of building positive relations with external stakeholders of projects in many industries (including mining). The article is a continuation of research conducted by the authors in the field of SLOs in the lignite mining industry in Poland. The analyzed area is located in close proximity to current mining operations. The article attempts to indicate what role local communities currently play as key external stakeholders in mining projects (at the operational and planning stages). The main goal of the research was to determine the state of knowledge of the inhabitants of the prospective area rich in lignite deposits (town and municipality of Złoczew), among others, in the field of SLO and CSR issues. In order to answer this research question a research methodology was applied based on research tools, i.e. analysis of the literature on the subject (desk research) of legal regulations and scientific articles and survey of external stakeholders. The final part of the article presents the results of the comparative case study in the perspective of 2018–2020. The aim of the comparative analysis was to find out the changes in the perception of mining activities and awareness of the local community of SLO in the perspective of corporate social responsibility/sustainable development.