scholarly journals Transnational universities, host communities and local residents: social impacts, university social responsibility and campus sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Chen ◽  
Frank Vanclay
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Benefit Sharing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Campus Sustainability ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Licence To Operate ◽  
Social Licence To Operate

Purpose This paper aims to discuss how transnational universities create negative and positive social impacts on their host communities and what this means for campus sustainability and the expectation that universities contribute to sustainable development and to their local communities. Design/methodology/approach Using mixed methods, a multiple case study approach and qualitative meta-analysis, this study considers six transnational university campuses in China in terms of their relationship with local communities. Findings Because of the good reputation of universities generally, local residents tended to accord a social licence to operate (i.e. approval) to new university campuses. However, universities generally do not manage their social impacts, as well as many other industries and generally fail to consider the corporate social responsibility issues and the environmental, social and governance aspects of their activities. To improve their social licence to operate and grow and to meet expectations around “university social responsibility”, campus developments should observe key international principles and human rights standards: full disclosure of information; effective community engagement; appropriate resettlement and livelihood restoration; effective harm reduction procedures; provision of local benefits (benefit sharing); monitoring and adaptive management and implement a grievance redress mechanism. Originality/value This paper encourages broader thinking about sustainability in a higher education context and about what university social responsibility entails. Specifically, this study argues that the relationship between universities and their host communities also needs to be considered, especially during campus construction.

Protecting Traditional Knowledge Associated with Genetic Resources by Corporate Social Responsibility

2015 ◽  
pp. 131-150
Author(s):  
Noriko Yajima
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Benefit Sharing ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
National Governments

The problems to establish equitable benefit sharing of Traditional Knowledge (TK) associated with Genetic Resources (GRs) have been one of the main discussions in international negotiations. This chapter analyses how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) could contribute to international organizations, national governments, and the private sector protecting TK associated with GRs in indigenous and local communities. This research uses the concept of the United Nations Triple Bottom Line Approach, which promotes balance among economic, environmental, and social imperatives towards sustainable development. This chapter illustrates the responsibility of international organizations by providing legally binding instruments. It also compares different national governments' responses to protect TK associated with GRs. Then, the chapter proposes that Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) could be the key to improving contradictions between legal and voluntary instruments in local communities and national and international governments. The analysis suggests that CSR is coherent with PPPs and might generate environmental, economic, and socio-economic challenges in the private and public sectors.

Protecting Traditional Knowledge Associated with Genetic Resources by Corporate Social Responsibility

2016 ◽  
pp. 1650-1669
Author(s):  
Noriko Yajima
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Traditional Knowledge ◽  
International Organizations ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Benefit Sharing ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
National Governments

The problems to establish equitable benefit sharing of Traditional Knowledge (TK) associated with Genetic Resources (GRs) have been one of the main discussions in international negotiations. This chapter analyses how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) could contribute to international organizations, national governments, and the private sector protecting TK associated with GRs in indigenous and local communities. This research uses the concept of the United Nations Triple Bottom Line Approach, which promotes balance among economic, environmental, and social imperatives towards sustainable development. This chapter illustrates the responsibility of international organizations by providing legally binding instruments. It also compares different national governments' responses to protect TK associated with GRs. Then, the chapter proposes that Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) could be the key to improving contradictions between legal and voluntary instruments in local communities and national and international governments. The analysis suggests that CSR is coherent with PPPs and might generate environmental, economic, and socio-economic challenges in the private and public sectors.

Wilderness tourism – alleviating poverty through empowering local people

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Ajagunna ◽  
Fritz Pinnock ◽  
Robert Kerr
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Research Methodology ◽  
Local Residents

Purpose – This paper aims to examine how “wilderness tourism” is being successfully used to promote tourism development in the economically depressed community of Bangor Ridge in Jamaica. Through this promotion, its sponsor, Sun Venture Tours, has been able to create employment for local residents and in so doing, contribute to community development and poverty alleviation. The company has also been able to demonstrate that local entrepreneurs have the capacity to address issues in their communities with little or no reliance on government. Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs a qualitative research methodology using both primary and secondary data. The study focuses specifically on Bangor Ridge in Jamaica with Costa Rica and Belize used as comparators. Findings – This paper concludes that the exclusion of heritage assets from the government's development strategies for tourism in Jamaica has resulted in economic and social stagnation and a decline in economic opportunities for rural communities on the island where unemployment and poverty are rife. It argues that there is a strong case for consultation among all stakeholders as to the value of the country's natural assets and the future of tourism in Jamaica. The paper observes that tourism cannot be sustained unless Jamaica's natural assets are preserved and carefully utilized. Originality/value – This paper explores topical issues and provides a case study that clearly illustrates how government could redirect its interest in terms of support to local communities whose assets form the basis for tourism products on the island.

What is the Future of Social Licence to Operate in the Extractive Industries post the COVID-19 Pandemic in East Africa?

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-163
Author(s):  
Nduta Njenga ◽  
Victoria Nalule
Keyword(s):  
Energy Demand ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Extractive Industries ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
The Social ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Licence To Operate ◽  
Mining Projects ◽  
Social Licence To Operate ◽  
The Impact

The basic characteristic of a pandemic such as COVID-19 is its ability to spread widely implying that it not only affects various countries but also all the sectors of the economy. In the extractive industries, the obvious impacts of the pandemic are manifested in the social and economic disruptions. The decline in energy demand and consumption have not only forced many extractive companies into bankruptcy but have also impacted on the relationship which these companies have for long been trying to establish with the local communities through acquiring the Social Licence to Operate (SLO). SLO generally has the potential of reducing project risks and as such it has in recent years been accepted as the simplest way to ensure the success of energy and mining projects. Albeit the current economic and social challenges caused by the pandemic are likely to threaten SLO operations. In essence, this research seeks to highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SLO in the extractive industries specifically addressing the key issues for companies, local communities and governments.

Troops may worsen, not resolve Peru mining protest

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Conflict ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
National Politics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Local Stakeholders ◽  
Mining Projects ◽  
Corporate Social

Significance The decision of President Ollanta Humala's government to send in troops to deal with protesting farmers in the Islay province of Arequipa reflects frustration at a conflict that has lasted years and threatens to disrupt one of Peru's larger mining projects. It also shows up the deficiencies of the police in dealing with social conflict. Impacts Many mining projects are being held up because of conflicts with local stakeholders. Social movements tend to be fragmented and lack leadership in national politics. Once trust breaks down between miners and local communities, it is difficult to restore it through corporate social responsibility spending.

Links between sustainability-related awareness and behavior

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 1240-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Cogut ◽  
Noah J. Webster ◽  
Robert W. Marans ◽  
John Callewaert
Keyword(s):  
Waste Prevention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Campus Sustainability ◽  
University Campuses ◽  
Transportation Behavior ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Sustainable Behavior ◽  
Using Data ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The University

Purpose Sustainability literature has cited the influential role of both awareness and engagement in facilitating increases in pro-environmental behaviors. The purpose of this study is to compare these links across behaviors and explore their interactive influence. Design/methodology/approach Two research questions were examined: 1) Is awareness about campus efforts regarding waste-prevention and sustainable travel/transportation options associated with increases in student waste-prevention and sustainable travel/transportation behaviors? 2) Is the link between sustainability awareness and changes in behavior conditioned by student engagement (i.e. participation) in campus sustainability activities and events? Research questions were examined using data from the University of Michigan Sustainability Cultural Indicators Program. A sample of freshmen completed a Web-based survey in 2012, and again as seniors in 2015. Findings Greater awareness of campus waste-prevention efforts in 2015 was associated with significant increases in student waste-prevention behaviors from 2012 to 2015. Also, among students who were engaged (i.e. reported participating in a campus sustainability activity/event), greater travel/transportation awareness in 2015 was associated with a significant decline in sustainable travel/transportation behavior. Consistent with previous studies this study found a link between sustainability awareness and increases in sustainable behavior. However, this study also indicates that this link is not present for all behaviors (i.e. use of sustainable travel/transportation). This study also found that engagement does not amplify the awareness–behavior link. Originality/value Understanding key drivers of changes in sustainable behavior for specific behaviors can inform the allocation of resources and help university campuses reach their sustainability goals.

scholarly journals Between Soviet Legacy and Corporate Social Responsibility: Emerging Benefit Sharing Frameworks in the Irkutsk Oil Region, Russia

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Tysiachniouk ◽  
Andrey Petrov ◽  
Vera Kuklina ◽  
Natalia Krasnoshtanova
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Central Element ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Benefit Sharing ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Soviet Legacy ◽  
Corporate Social

Benefit sharing arrangements are a central element of the interactions between oil companies and local communities in resource regions of the Arctic and sub-Arctic. This paper focused on developing a systematic understanding and typology of benefit sharing arrangements within the oil sector in the Russian Arctic and sub-Arctic, using the Irkutsk Oil Region as a case study. It provided a critical analysis of prevalent arrangements and practices (modes and mechanisms of benefit sharing), as well as examined institutional and social underpinnings of these benefit sharing frameworks. Qualitative methodology with semi-structured interviews were used. The paper demonstrated that sub-Arctic communities are not equally benefiting from oil and gas extraction. Despite a considerable variety of existing arrangements revealed by this study, no benefit sharing mode or mechanism prevalent today ensures sustainable development of local communities. This may stem from the incompatibility between post-Soviet legacies, corporate social responsibility principles, and local institutional frameworks. Although focused on a particular region, this research was indicative of general benefit sharing patterns in modern Russia and beyond.

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