The corporate social responsibility of Canadian mining companies in Latin America: A systems perspective

Governance Ecosystems

“…In this sense, the confusion surrounding the role of the Ministry of the Environment created in 2008, to which the MEM did not transfer responsibilities linked to the approval of environmental impact assessments of mining projects, is in itself telling (Sagebien et al, 2008;PERCAN and MEM, 2009).…”

“…A review of the CSR activities of Canadian mining companies in Latin America suggests that a significant proportion of them profess adherence to CSR policies, highlight their CSR performance in regular reporting, and engage in various voluntary regulation and reporting initiatives (Sagebien et al, 2008). The activities undertaken as a part of these CSR initiatives include community consultations, infrastructure development (for example, building housing, schools, roads, electricity), employment and economic development programs, training and jobs, health care, direct funding of community projects, and environmental initiatives designed to remediate the impacts of mining operations (ibid.…”

“…While CSR is often put forward to help alleviate poverty and close governance gaps, it is also challenged by these very same characteristics and dynamics that are so often present where mineral extraction takes place. As some observers note, while CSR is largely instituted by the firm to advance its own interests, the motivation for CSR and its impact depend to a great extent upon the enabling and disabling dynamics and characteristics of actors outside of the firm, such as home and host governments, social movements, industry groups, lending institutions, and local communities (Sagebien et al, 2008). Following this line of thought, this chapter explores how the Bolivian government and local communities motivate, assist, or impede the contributions of mining firm CSR to sustainable development.…”

Corporate Social Responsibility and Canadian Mining Companies in the Developing World: The Role of Organizational Leadership and Learning

“…Conventional arguments that foreign mineral and oil and gas investments enhance social and economic development are countered by others who argue that extractive activities exacerbate poverty and conflict (the "resource curse") (Sagebien et al 2008). There are also different expectations or understandings of what CSR can accomplish.…”

“…Mining companies alone cannot guarantee sustainable development; they cannot, nor should they, take on the role of government. The extent to which firms can enhance social and economic value in the countries in which they operate depends on the enabling or disabling dynamics resulting from a range of interactions with actors outside the boundaries of the firm (Sagebien et al 2008; see also Idemudia, this issue). While firms cannot be expected alone to foment sustainable development, they can be expected to add economic, social, and ecological value to the communities in which they operate (Bird and Herman 2004).…”