Corporate Community Relations Research Articles

Host communities’ infrastructural development expectations of multinational mining companies in Ghana’s mining industry

ABSTRACT This paper, through an ethnographic research approach, examines the infrastructural development expectations that host communities have of multinational mining companies (MNMCs) and how these expectations influence corporate-community relationships in two of Ghana’s mining districts. Using data triangulation from multiple stakeholder perspectives, two MNMCs ranked among the ten best corporate social responsibility firms in the world are studied to explore how and why these expectations impact corporate-community relationships. Theoretically, the paper argues that the Ubuntu philosophy (culture) of the rich sharing their wealth with the underprivileged in society influences community expectations. These expectations, in turn, affect social legitimacy of companies. It therefore emphasizes the need to consider the informal context when using institutional and stakeholder theory to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) in African countries. By this, the paper contributes to the reorientation of stakeholder theory from a firm-centric to community-centric focus. Managerially, the paper suggests that multinational companies coming to Africa’s mining communities need to understand this cultural norm and set aside enough resources to provide infrastructure projects in host communities to enhance corporate-community relations.

The Mine or the Mire? Mobilising Place in Natural Resource Struggles.

This article examines how place and place-basedness are essential to understanding the conflict dynamics of natural resource use. Based on a single case study and using an ethnographic approach to examine a place, the paper unearths how place is mobilised in corporate–community relations. This study defines place-basedness as having two relational elements: ecological and social embeddedness. It finds four positions with differing place identifications, meanings, and relationships with the ecological and social place. This article concludes that while ecological embeddedness enhances the ability to resist natural resource use through knowledge attribution and actively mobilising a place, the social embeddedness of some positions constrains local people’s ability to resist. It also identifies attachment to and detachment from place as two aspects of a central mechanism whereby countering positions are mobilised in the hegemonic struggle. The findings contribute to our understanding of place as a constituting part of corporate–community relations and place-basedness both as a resource for and hindrance to resistance.

The Relation Between Corporate Philanthropy and Territorial Development in Brazil: Mapping the Corporate Social Managers’ Perspectives

Research objective: To characterize and to discuss corporate social investment focused on territorial development in Brazil.
 Theoretical framework: Corporate philanthropy and corporate community relations.
 Methodology: Narrative approach based on a two-fold data collection strategy: semi-structured interviews and a focus group.
 Results: Three main narratives to make sense of the role of corporate social investment in fostering territorial development: (i) institutional capabilities and social participation; (ii) and aligning of corporate social investment to public policies; and (iii) shared value and social license to operate.
 Originality: A comprehensive understanding of the territorial approach for development projects implemented by corporate social investors in Brazil.
 Theoretical and practical contributions: Contributions to the literature about corporate philanthropy, corporate community relations and, about the territorial development agenda in Brazil. Practical implications on the roles and responsibilities of businesses and its impacts on territorial development and, on the other hand, of the corporate social investor and its contribution to the development of the localities where a company operates.

The Mine or the Mire? - Mobilizing Place and Identity in Resource Struggles

In mining, the ideas of consultation and participation together with the frames of corporate responsibility and sustainable development have become the lingua franca of mining conflict resolution. This paper takes post-Gramscian approach to explore how different forms of power and dissent are performed in dialogue processes; and draws from political ecology literature to examine how place and place-based identities are mobilized in the conflicts. The findings show how place is actively utilized as a power resource by both the company, and those who resist it, and that place-basedness becomes a frame for contestation. The local values, meanings and knowledge are connected to the persuasion and control through dialogue. While the place contexts can offer strategic leverage for fringe stakeholders to oppose mining - instead of being disempowered by the hegemonic CSR practices - the power struggles and local dynamics can also silence some of the resistance. The empirical context of the paper is a project by mining multinational in Finnish Lapland. The paper contributeS to the theorization on the often veiled power struggles in corporate-community relations, and the limits of conciliatory mechanism; and to the research on identities in organisation studies by theorising on the significance of place as source of identity and how that influences the corporate-community relations.

Corporate community relations and development: engagement with indigenous peoples

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to increase knowledge about community relations and development (CRD) activities done in conjunction with mining activities of multinational companies affecting indigenous peoples and thus help improve relationships between them, despite continuing bad consequences the people continue to endure. It is through such better relationships that these consequences may be redressed and mitigated, and greater sharing of benefits of mining may occur, bearing in mind what constitutes benefits may differ from the perspectives of the indigenous peoples and the miners.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative approach is taken, including interviews with company officials responsible for CRD activities, elaborated with observations, company and public documents and previous literature about these mining operations and the peoples.FindingsThe CRD activities have gradually increased compared with their absence previously. They are officially labelled social investment in community development programmes, and are funded from profits and couched in terms of human development, human rights, preservation of culture and physical development of infrastructure. Dissatisfied with programme quality and relevance, company officials now relate with indigenous people, their leaders and representatives in ways called engagement and partnerships.Practical implicationsThe findings can inform policies and practices of the parties to CRD, which in this West Papua case would be the miners and their company, CRD practitioners, the indigenous peoples and the civil authorities at the local and national level and aid industry participants.Social implicationsThe study acknowledges and addresses social initiatives to develop the indigenous peoples affected by mining.Originality/valueThe study extends older studies in the same territory before CRD had matured, and corroborates and elaborates other studies of CRD in different territories.

Communities’ Perception and Expectations of CSR: Implication for Corporate-Community Relations

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has over time been a subject of cumulative interest among academics and business practitioners. This paper contributes to the discourse on CSR in the context of the Nigerian oil industry with regard to corporate-community relations. It specifically constitutes an assessment of CSR initiatives by multinational corporations (MNC) operating in the Niger Delta region and their impact on the traditional livelihoods of local communities. This study examines community perceptions, expectations and seeks to interpret the relationship between the host communities and the MNCs. This paper adopts a qualitative methodological approach, it provides empirical data through the use of twenty-eight semi-structured interviews and three focus groups. This is significant given that most of the research conducted into CSR in this region have been limited to descriptive and extensive theoretical explanations. Findings from the research suggest that the relationship between the host communities and the MNCs is a very complex one. The host communities perceive the MNCs as being unfair, insensitive to the plights, neglecting their responsibilities towards them and not meeting their expectations. It therefore concludes that the negative impacts of oil extractive activities on the local communities have triggered conflict and constant dissatisfaction with the MNC. Their expectation is that of mutual positive benefit. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Niger Delta, Multinational corporation, host communities DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-18-03 Publication date: June 30th 2020

An Anthropological Reimagining of Contract in Global Value Chains: The Governance of Corporate-community Relations in the Colombian Mining Sector

Abstract This contribution introduces an ant’s rather than a bird’s eye view on the legal institution global value chains (GVCs) have become. An ant’s view makes the abstract construct of the GVC tangible but at the same time reveals its unclear boundaries – where do GVCs begin and end? The article reflects on the role of contracts and contract law in the drawing and subsequent regulation of boundaries. It takes the reader into Colombia’s globalised natural resource sector where complex contractual constructs determine the relationships between firms, the state and local communities. These contractual constructs, together with the law, corporate codes of conduct and international standards that regulate them, create close and intertwined boundaries between the firm and its societal environment. In that closeness, the mining firm assumes and voices far-reaching responsibilities for the economic and social well-being of local communities. In regard to those corporate social responsibilities, contract law could and should play a pivotal role in the societal governance of GVCs.

Strategi Komunikasi untuk Program Corporate Social Responsibility dalam Pemberdayaan Masyarakat

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a company's commitment not only to increase financial benefits, but also to develop a holistic, institutional and sustainable social, economic and regional development (Suharto, 2008). In practice, CSR is often regarded as corporate giving, corporate philanthropy, and corporate community relations. CSR cannot be separated from the practice of community empowerment or often referred to as community development. What is the relationship between CSR and community empowerment and how is the communication strategy for the CSR program in an effort to empower the community? The methodology in this study is of literature review type. The technique of data collection is done by secondary data techniques obtained through searching relevant books, research results related to the topic of writing, mass media news, and relevant journals. The data obtained are then analyzed and completed with qualitative techniques by describing the data obtained to answer the existing debate. The results of the study found that CSR programs cannot be separated from community empowerment. One of the objectives of CSR is to create empowered communities, especially those around the company. In carrying out CSR activities for community empowerment, the role of a communication strategy is expected. The relevant communication strategies include mass communication and intercultural communication. By using these two communication strategies, it is expected that CSR programs for community empowerment will be more effective and efficient.

‘Chimneys don't belch out carnations!’ The (in)tolerance of corporate hypocrisy: A case study of trust and community engagement strategies

The relationship between corporate hypocrisy and legitimacy has been articulated paradoxically in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) literature. On the one hand, this literature articulates that when corporations engage in hypocrisy it erodes trust and encourages attacks upon legitimacy. On the other hand, CSR statements decoupled from core functions are an example of corporate hypocrisy that is justified through maintaining legitimacy in certain conditions. These diverse approaches in the literature are evidenced further in our case study analysis. We present a qualitative case study of how local community judgements of a corporate hypocrisy event and consequent community engagement strategies affect trust and corporate-community relations. The analysis shows that the community tolerates corporate hypocrisy to a degree. However, when hypocrisy becomes intolerable, and with the firm in question reverting to an absent community engagement strategy, this erodes legitimacy. This has implications for society's trust in business, corporate sustainability, and managerial practice.

Community-Level CSR Implementation through the Lens of Institutional Theory: An Empirical Study

Researchers world over are increasingly realising that use of a theoretical framework is necessary for designing and conducting research on corporate-community relations. There are no empirical studies in India, to the best of our knowledge, which look at Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of a corporate in local community through theoretical lens. The research questions we examine through this study are – firstly, how institutional pressure at the level of local community drives CSR practices of a company and secondly, to assess how community has perceived these CSR initiatives. To answer the same, the researchers studied CSR practices of Cairn India in Barmer region of Rajasthan as a single case within the theoretical framework provided by the institutional theory. This empirical study, based on interviews with employees and NGO partners of Cairn and perceptual study in the community, offers an on-the-ground glimpse of how the company is implementing CSR initiatives and associated challenges it is facing. The findings testify that managing local community expectations has certainly helped Cairn India to integrate community expectations into its CSR strategy. The study brings to light the fact Government and NGOs are important drivers of CSR at the local community level in developing countries like India.

Evaluation on community development programs in mining industry: A case study of small and medium enterprise in China

Corporate-community relations(CCR) has been regarded as one of the top issues for the mining industry, however, it seems that China's mining industry gives little attention to the needs of the local community. Limited by their size, SMEs (Small and medium enterprises) in China are unable to undertake too many community development (CD) programs. As an SME, Dongxin copper iron (gold) mine of Huaibei Dongxin Mining Co. Ltd. is the only known mine which has established a corporate–community foundation in the Chinese mining sector. From the perspective of community development and with an intensive study of the foundation, this paper probes into the practical effects of the foundation operation, based on which a new framework of evaluating the of CD programs is developed.

Transitioning towards sustainability in the mountain resort community of Whistler, British Columbia

ABSTRACTIn 2005, the resort community of Whistler introduced an innovative model of comprehensive sustainability planning and governance that attracted widespread attention. In this paper, we use the lens of path creation, together with insights from transition management, to examine the drivers of change in the creation and development of this new pathway towards sustainability. Specific elements of place and time are important factors, as are corporate-community relations and the influence of power and politics in both supporting the sustainability path and also causing it to stall or deviate.

Local Remembering, Global Forgetting: Uses of the Past in Corporate-Community Relations in Kenya

Firms engage in the strategic uses of the past, such as making their past wrongdoings forgotten. In this process, firms may face the challenge of interacting with stakeholders who confront their na...

The value and significance of corporate community relations: an Italian SME perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between community of place and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lombard industrial districts in Italy.Design/methodology/approachA brief literature review of international authors from the stakeholder approach and Corporate Community Relations (CCRs) field is presented. This paper refers to a survey of Lombard industrial districts conducted by ALTIS. The data were collected via a telephone survey from 834 firms.FindingsThe main finding is that managing CCRs is of major importance for company success. The results of the survey show that there are some tools and actions that Italian industrial district SMEs use to interact with their particular communities of place to develop effective and coherent relationships with their stakeholder groups. Moreover, although the survey shows that though SMEs do implement different CCR activities, they are not able to communicate these effectively through systematic communication strategies. However, the narrow sample includes only a sample of some Lombard districts. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that effective CCR seems to confer competitive advantage based on stakeholder responses and rewards sought.Research limitations/implicationsThe framework could assist in supporting CCR developments between industrial districts as various players would know how to improve CCR activities. One further suggestion is that University and Research Centers could have a role to play in creating and communicating codified knowledge concerning community relations in industrial districts, while other public players still have to develop specific tasks in improving infrastructures.Originality/valueThis study is in line with the main focus of CCR, which is in striving to meet stakeholder and societal needs. However, industrial district SMEs have to learn how to communicate their CCR activities from the examples set by large Italian companies. The paper links the notion of CCR with tools and actions to develop meaningful relationships with both community of place and interest. Moreover, considering the survey results, a new framework for local player roles is proposed.

An exploration on corporate-community relationship in mining sector in China – Lessons from Yunnan Phosphate Chemical Group Co., Ltd

The corporate-community relations have always been an important influencing factor for the development of mining enterprises. In recent years, residents in the mining areas have been paying increased attention to their rights in the mining process, but the failure to properly handle corporate-community relations has resulted in conflict between mining enterprises and local communities. In severe situations, this may even trigger mass disturbances that cause disorders in their normal operations. Considering these potential circumstances, some Chinese mining enterprises started to emphasize corporate social responsibility (CSR), especially the construction of a sound corporate-community relationship, rather than simply making superficial efforts. As a model in such endeavors, the paper takes Kunyang Phosphate of Yunnan Phosphate Chemical Group as a case study; firstly, the development of relations between Kunyang Phosphate and the local community (Hanying Village) is divided into different periods, and each stage is analyzed from the aspect of corporate social responsibility performance of the mine. In addition, this paper makes a summary of “Hanying model”, and analyzes the mine's strategy of community engagement through its practice.

Shell Nigeria’s Global Memorandum of Understanding and corporate-community accountability relations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether Shell Nigeria’s Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) promotes corporate-community accountability as a basis for fostering sustainable community development in the Niger Delta.Design/methodology/approachShell Nigeria’s GMoU stand-alone reports were analysed through the lenses of accountability and transparency theoretical frameworks to explore the extent to which GMoU, as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, is dialogically embedded and practised. Meaning-oriented content analysis was deductively used to isolate pertinent themes and generate findings from the background theoretical literature.FindingsThe authors find that Shell discursively appropriates the meaning of accountability and transparency in a manner that allows it to maintain its social legitimacy and the asymmetric power relations between itself and host communities whilst restricting communities’ agency to hold it accountable. Shell does this by interpreting the notion of participation restrictively, selectively deploying the concept of transparency and accountability and subtly exerting excessive control over the GMoU. Thus, the GMoU’s potential to contribute to sustainable community development and positive corporate-community relation is unlikely tenable.Originality/valueAccountability and transparency are core and critical to corporate-community relations and for achieving community development CSR objectives, but are often taken for granted or ignored in the CSR literature on the Niger Delta of Nigeria. This paper addresses this gap in the literature by using accountability and transparency lenses to unpick GMoU model and contribute to studies on CSR practices by oil multinational corporations (MNCs) in developing countries. Indeed, the use of these lenses to explore CSR process offers new insights as to why CSR practices have failed to contribute to sustainable community development despite increased community spending by oil MNCs.

In the shadows of social licence to operate: Untold investment grievances in latin America

This article critically examines the usability of the concept of ‘social licence to operate’ (SLO) in the Latin American context as an indicator of the social acceptability granted by local stakeholders to multinational forestry companies. We identify four potential problems (risks of co-optation, structural power imbalances, conflicting worldviews, and the silencing effects of global certification schemes) that emerge when the current practice and literature on SLO is implemented in the context of forestry operations in Global South's rural areas, commonly marked by dynamic and contentious corporate-community relations. Based on empirical material from local communities affected by industrial tree plantations (ITPs) in a setting claimed to have an absence of conflicts (Uruguay) and another where visible conflicts have been present (Chile), we then ask: What does SLO mean to those it is supposed to represent the most, the local communities affected by industrial forestry? The findings illustrate that caution is necessary prior to claiming that a company, investment, or industry has achieved an all-encompassing SLO at the local level. Instead, to understand the dynamic and contentious corporate-community relations we argue for a more nuanced approach to how locals engage with different economic alternatives based on their own place-based capacity to sustain and reproduce life in community.

Corporate community engagement strategies and organizational arrangements: a multiple case study in Canada

There is a growing consensus among scholars and practitioners that corporate community relations matter, especially from a sustainability standpoint. While current research has focused on strategies of corporate community engagement per se, little is known about the interactions between organizational arrangements and community engagement strategies of companies. Through the empirical study of 17 companies that pose serious and direct environmental risks, this article underscores the importance of organizational arrangements, including human and financial resources, competencies, issue status, and measurement tools. This study contributes to the literature on corporate community relations both empirically and conceptually. First, it provides a detailed examination of the experience of managers directly involved in the day-to-day practice of engagement with local community. This detailed examination sheds light on the integrational strategy, an inherently transverse strategy of engagement. The integrational strategy complements other strategies previously theorized and opens new research avenues.

It Takes Two to Tango: From Community-Based Organizations to Corporate Community Relations

While corporate-community relations are acknowledged by scholars, practitioners, and international associations today as crucial management issues, much remains to be done to deepen our understandi...

Private Conflict Regulation and the Influence of Peasant Communities over Natural Resources

Until recently, the Peruvian government to a great extent has given corporations the responsibility for resolving the increasing number of conflicts with local communities in mining localities. In the literature on political and economic reforms, mobilization, and democratic influence, few studies have addressed the role of corporations in relation to those processes. This study contributes an analysis of how corporate-community relations affect communities’ ability to mobilize and influence mining projects. The article is based on two case studies in which local communities pursued different demands and analyzes how corporations used various strategies to deal with demands and protests. The empirical analysis demonstrates that local communities can achieve influence by opposing projects as well as by collaborating with corporations. However, these forms of mobilization have different impacts on the collective identities and organizational structures that are essential to the scope of democratic influence for those groups.