Stakeholder interactions and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically explore the interactions of key stakeholders and their impact upon corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in the Zambian copper mining sector. In particular, the authors examine the power dynamics that emerge in the stakeholder interactions. Design/methodology/approach The authors analyse the stakeholder interactions based on the varying degrees of stakeholder salience and critical collaboration potential, and draw on rich evidence from 43 interviews with multiple stakeholders involved in CSR in the Zambia mining sector. Findings This paper finds stark power asymmetries in the relationship between the state, the civil society and mining companies which are exacerbated by a number of factors, including divisions within these key stakeholders themselves. Apart from power imbalances within and between stakeholders, the potential for critical collaboration at the local level is further challenged by the lack of commonly accepted social and environmental frameworks, transparency and accountability of the leadership of stakeholder groups. However, despite these power asymmetries some limited agency is possible, as civil society in particular co-opts previously dormant stakeholders to increase its own salience and, more importantly, that of the state. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on the key stakeholders’ interactions shaping CSR in developing countries by exploring these issues in a critical industry, the Zambian copper mining sector, on which the state economy is so heavily dependent.

Does corporate environmental responsibility engagement affect firm value? The mediating role of corporate innovation

“…In order to make a comprehensive evaluation, this paper evaluates CER from five dimensions: legal consciousness, social evaluation, eco‐friendly production, low‐carbon technology, and green management (Kim et al, ; Kolk, ; Liu et al, ; Phiri et al, ; Reyes‐Rodríguez et al, ).…”

“…We exclude firm-years that are missing necessary data for the variables used in our analysis. We end up with a sample of 4,464 In order to make a comprehensive evaluation, this paper evaluates CER from five dimensions: legal consciousness, social evaluation, eco-friendly production, low-carbon technology, and green management (Kim et al, 2017;Kolk, 2016;Liu et al, 2015;Phiri et al, 2019;Reyes-Rodríguez et al, 2016).…”

“…At the legal level, firms must adjust their organizational structure or take necessary adjustments to meet the minimum environmental requirements set by law (Kim, Park, & Ryu, 2017). The ethical level refers to the process in which firms achieve a positive impact on society and the environment through transparent and participatory stakeholder relationship management, achieving corporate environmental commitment and sustainable development goals (Kolk, 2016;Phiri, Mantzari, & Gleadle, 2019). However, at the strategic level, firms adopt some forms of environmental plans to manage their relationship with nature and achieve the unification of environmental protection and the pursuit of profit (Liu, Wang, & Lee, 2015;Reyes-Rodríguez, Ulhøi, & Madsen, 2016).…”

Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting: The Last 40 Years and a Path to Sharing Future Insights

“…While some researchers have shown that CSR is impacted by the local specificities of laws, cultures, and beliefs, others have focused on the relationship between CSR reporting and particular industries. However, accounting researchers have tended to focus on heavy polluters in oil and gas (Herremans and Nazari, 2016;Ness and Mirza, 1991), mining (Adler et al, 2017;Phiri et al, 2019), water (Vinnari and Laine, 2013), and electricity generation (Alrazi et al, 2016), as well as important service sectors like banking and finance (Haigh, 2006). In each case, the reports have been analyzed in relation to each industry's own specific arrangement of environmental, social, and labour issues (McPhail and Adams, 2016).…”

Does CSR Enhance Young Bank Customers’ Satisfaction and Loyalty in a Developing Economy? The Mediating Role of Trust

“…However, while there is a growing CSR interest by banks in Zambia, little is known on how bank customers perceive CSR activities especially its effect on buyer behaviour. A review of the literature indicates that the most of the research that has been done on CSR in Zambia has focused on the mining sector (e.g., Noyoo, 2010;Phiri et al, 2019;Cronje et al, 2017). As such, questions on whether bank customers appreciate CSR activities and how CSR affects buyer behaviour in developing economies in general and Zambia in particular remain unanswered.…”