Exploring use of multi-perspective case studies concerning CSR in the mining sector

  For more information on any of these research projects, please contact kernaghan.webb@torontomu.ca

Project Lead: Dr. Kernaghan Webb

Project Description

The research team includes experts from the private sector, government, civil society organizations, and scholars from a variety of disciplines.

This project is a recipient of support from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (external link)  International Opportunities Fund, as well as the Canadian Business Ethics Research Network (CBERN) (external link) , and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

This project seeks to conduct corporate social responsibility (CSR) case study research on the activities of Canadian mining companies in three developing countries, focusing on the social and environmental challenges they encounter. The process by which this research is to be conducted is through international collaboration with partners from these developing countries, employing an innovative multi perspective approach to case study development and analysis that allows for the incorporation of a wide range of views concerning the CSR activities of Canadian mining companies in developing countries. Canada has a significant mining presence in developing countries, and the role and responsibilities of Canadian mining companies has become a major concern of the Canadian government and interested stakeholders, both in Canada and in the affected developing countries.

The extractive sector is very important to the economies of many developing countries, yet the impact of mining companies in developing countries is the focus of contentious debates. Research on the impact of mining companies that draws on multiple perspectives will contribute to this important debate. Ultimately, the proposed case studies are expected to contribute to policy-relevant observations on how (or whether) mining companies can contribute to sustainable development at the local community and national levels.

A core aim of this project is to draw on the expertise of the diverse team members in Canada and developing country partners, in order to better understand how CSR challenges are addressed by Canadian mining companies operating in developing countries.

Currently, there is a paucity of publicly available, balanced, accurate and credible case studies exploring how Canadian companies are addressing social and environmental ethical challenges they face. Many case studies suffer from a credibility problem, as they are seen to be biased in favour of one particular perspective. The advantage of this collaborative research is that it incorporates a multi perspective approach, both within the membership research team, and the efforts to ensure that the voices of affected and interested parties are heard and reflected in the content of the case studies. The shortage of balanced and grounded multiperspective case studies is particularly a problem when describing the challenges and interactions of Canadian companies operating in developing countries, where "single perspective" case studies are more common. Multi-perspective, collaborative CSR case studies concerning the mining sector could potentially be particularly useful, as this is an area of activity where there has been considerable conflict and disagreement about "what is happening and why it is happening."

This initiative is modelled in large part on the 2006 "Canadian National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility in the Extractive Industries Sector" process, where persons with significantly divergent views were able to express those views within a neutral, structured dialogue process that facilitated the ultimate development of consensus-based policy proposals. It should be emphasized that this is an experimental, pilot project, designed to test the viability and value of the collaborative, multi perspective approach. Although the pilot phase of this project will focus on mining companies, it is anticipated that this approach would be relevant for other CSR contexts, such as the apparel sector, toy manufacturing sector, or the food and drug manufacturing sector in both developed and developing countries.

The pilot case study report--including introduction (Chapter One), three case study reports (Chapters Two through Four), and conclusions (Chapter Five)--is provided above.  All chapters of the report are made available in English and French.  Several chapters have also been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Akan, and Romanian.  As this is a pilot project, all of the participants are keen to hear the comments of others, so that we can improve the methodology and our substantive understanding of the issues, and correct any errors

Any questions / comments on the overall project and Chapters One, Two and Five, please contact: kernaghan.webb@torontomu.ca