Corporate Community Engagement: Literature Search for Construct Validation. A Case of the Extractive Industry in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Abstract-This literature review examines evidence for corporate community engagement, it maps out its field as it currently stands, and identifies the gaps in what is currently known on corporate community engagement. It also assesses on the best way to engage communities in extraction of minerals by both extractive industries and research. The review was done in 2012. The study is organised around three research questions germane to corporate community engagement. The first question is: What are the factors that trigger conflict between corporates and local communities? The second question is: How do local communities define meaningful corporate engagement? The third question is shaped by evidence in literature which supports the notion that community engagement is a process of inclusive participation that supports mutual respect of values and actions for authentic partnership of people in the same geographic proximity. The question is: using the levels of participation how can the awaked social energies in communities be harnessed to develop corporate community engagement that supports authentic partnerships. The review locates the concept of corporate community engagement within levels of participation. Firstly the domain of the corporate community engagement is specified and validated through a two stage process informed by key informants located in mining communities. The study uses a Meta ethnography methodology to address the study questions. Through-out the methodological steps followed, an attempt was made to ensure that existing knowledge was incorporated as well as practical realities of corporate community engagement within the extractive industries.