External CSR as strategic action in the shadow of commercial interests. A study into oil and gas companies in Trinidad and Tobago
Gerda van ROOZENDAAL
Hebe VERREST
Abstract
In countries such as Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), the energy sector can make a significant contribution to country and community development, through corporate social responsibility (CSR). Focusing on socioeconomic and environmental domains, this paper examines what drives companies to develop external CSR activities. Taking an institutional approach, combining internal features of companies with the national and international institutional context, it studies the external CSR behaviour of three energy companies operating in T&T. It concludes that the companies develop external CSR activities hardly in alliance with their core business but do show a strong interest in fence line communities. While the companies’ external CSR might contribute to public goals, it is developed in an ad hoc manner, and in isolation of public policy. Instead it results from streetwise tactic behaviour. As civil society holds a weak position and the state opts for a laissezfaire approach, leaving room for the mother companies to shape CSR behaviour.
Keywords:
CSR, Trinidad, oilReferences
Aguinis, H.; Glavas A. (2012). What We Know and What we don’t know about Corporate Social Responsibility. Journal of Management 38 (4): 932-968. Available at: http://jom.sagepub.com/content/38/4/932. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Atlantic (2012). Sustainability Report 2012. Atlantic: Trinidad and Tobago.
Google Scholar
Atlantic (2013a). Our Trains. Retrieved from: http://wwwatlanticlng.com/index.php/our-business/our-trains. Accessed 15 May 2014
Google Scholar
Atlantic (2013b). Sustainability Report 2013. Trinidad and Tobago: Atlantic.
Google Scholar
Atlantic (2014). Sustainability Report 2014. Trinidad and Tobago: Atlantic.
Google Scholar
Atlantic (2015). Our Trains. Available at: http://www.atlanticlng.com/our-business/our-trains. Accessed 16 January 2015.
Google Scholar
Balboni F., K., Sookram R. (2007). Mapping Corporate Social Responsibility In Trinidad & Tobago, Private Sector And Sustainable Development. UNDP/STCIC CSR Mapping Project. UNDP/STCIC, Port of Spain: Above.
Google Scholar
Baulch, B. (2006). The New Poverty Agenda: A Disputed Consensus. IDS bulletin, (37)4: 82-90. Available at: http://community.eldis.org/?233@@.598d2424!enclosure=.598d2425&ad=1. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Beall, J., Fox S. (2009). Cities and Development. London and New York: Routledge.
Google Scholar
Boodram, K. (2014). OWTU Calls on Greenpeace for Help. Trinidad Express. Available at: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/OWTU-calls-on-Greenpeace-for-help-248122331.html. Accessed 28 September 2016.
Google Scholar
BP (2013). Building a Stronger, Safer BP. Annual Report and Form.
Google Scholar
BPTT (2013a). BPTT Puts Focus on Education and Sports in Mayaro. Available at: http://www.bp.com/en_tt/trinidad-and-tobago/media/media-releases/bptt-puts-focus-on-education-and-sports-in-mayaro.html. Accessed 18 September 2015.
Google Scholar
BPTT (2013b). The Geoscience Legacy. Available at: http://www.bp.com/en_tt/trinidad-and-tobago/media/media-releases/the-geoscience-legacy.html. Accessed 18 September 2015.
Google Scholar
BPTT (2014). BPTT and Development. Available at: http://www.bp.com/en_tt/trinidad-and-tobago/BPTT-anddevelopment.html. Accessed 16, 24 May 2014.
Google Scholar
BPTT (2015a). Our Impact. Available at: http://www.bp.com/en_tt/trinidad-and-tobago/about-bp-in-trinidad-andtobago/BPTTFactsandfigures.html. Accessed 18 September 2015.
Google Scholar
BPTT (2015b). UWI. Available at: http://www.bp.com/en_tt/trinidad-and-tobago/bptt-and-development/uwi.html. Accessed 18 September 2015.
Google Scholar
BPTT (no date). What We Do. Available at: http://www.bp.com/en_tt/trinidad-and-tobago/about-bp-in-trinidadand-tobago/BPinTT.html. Accessed 23 May 2014.
Google Scholar
Campbell, J. L. (2007). Why Would Corporations Behave in Socially Responsible Ways? An institutional theory of corporate social responsibility. Academy of Management Review, (32)3: 946-967. Available at: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.321.6698&rep=rep1&type=pdf. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Campbell, J. L.(2004). Institutional Change and Globalization. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Google Scholar
Carroll, A. B. (1991). The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility: Toward the moral management of organizational stakeholders. Business Horizons (34)4: 39-48. Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/000768139190005G. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (2013). Annual economic Survey 2013: review of the National Economy. Port of Spain. Available at: http://www.central-bank.org.tt/sites/default/files/AES%20Report%202013_Online%20Version.pdf. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Clarke, R.; Charles, R. N. (2012). Caribbean Liming. A metaphor for building social capital. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management (12)3: 299-313. Available at: http://ccm.sagepub.com/content/12/3/299.abstract. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Cochran, C.E.; Mayer, L.C.; Carr, T.R.; Cayer, N.J. (2009). American Public Policy: An Introduction. Ninth Edition. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Google Scholar
code_26nov2013_en.pdf. Accessed 28 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Corporate Governance Code (2013). Available at: http://www.ecgi.org/codes/documents/trinidad_tobago_cg
Google Scholar
Frynas, J. G. (2009). Corporate Social Responsibility in the Oil and Gas sector. Journal of World Energy Law & Business (2)3: 178-195. Available at: http://jwelb.oxfordjournals.org/content/2/3/178.extract. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Gaffar la Guerre, J. (2002). National unity, the Westminister Model and Governance in the Commonwealth Caribbean. In: Ryan, S.; Bissessar A.M (eds). Governance in the Caribbean, 23-31. St. Augustine: SALISES/UWI.
Google Scholar
Government of Trinidad and Tobago (2011). Innovation for lasting prosperity: mid-term policy framework 20112014. Available at: http://finance.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2013/11//Medium-Term-Policy-Framework-2011-14.pdf. Accessed 13 July 2016.
Google Scholar
https://www.petrotrin.com/~/media/Files/CSR%20report/CSR%20report.ashx?la=en. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
IDB (2013). Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Market. Available at: http://blogs.iadb.org/caribbean-devtrends/2013/12/02/trinidad-and-tobagos-energy-market/. Accessed 25 February 2015.
Google Scholar
Iwaro, J.; Mwasha A. (2010). A Review of Building Energy Regulation and Policy for Energy Conservation in Developing Countries. Energy Policy (38)12: 7744-7755. Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421510006427. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Jackson, G.; Apostolakou A. (2010). Corporate Social Responsibility in Western Europe: an institutional mirror or substitute? Journal of Business Ethics ( 94)3: 371-394. Available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-009-0269-8. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Leisinger, K.; Schmitt K. (no date). Corporate Responsibility and Corporate Philanthropy. Available at: http://www.un.org/en/ecosoc/newfunct/pdf/leisinger-schmitt_corporate_responsibility_and_corporate_philanthropy.pdf. Accessed 18 September 2015.
Google Scholar
Lim, A (2012). The Global Expansion of Corporate Social Responsibility: Emergence, diffusion, and reception of global corporate governance frameworks. Phd Dissertation, University of Michigan. Available at: https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/handle/2027.42/93879. Accessed 28 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Lim, A.; Tsutsui K. (2012). Globalization and Commitment in Corporate Social Responsibility: Cross-national analyses of institutional and political-economy effects. American Sociological Review (77)1: 69-98. Available at: http://asr.sagepub.com/content/77/1/69. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Matten, D.; Moon J. (2008). “Implicit” and “explicit” CSR: a conceptual framework for a comparative understanding of corporate social responsibility. Academy of Management Review (33)2: 404-424. Available at: http://carleton.ca/ces/wp-content/uploads/MattenMoon-in-AMR-2008.pdf. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Mendes, S. (2015). Environmental CSR: Addressing, Reflecting and Affecting Community Needs. Master Thesis, University of Amsterdam.
Google Scholar
Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development (no date). Report of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States. Available at: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/1169242Final%20T&T%20report.pdf. Accessed 25 May 2015.
Google Scholar
Ministry of Trade, Industry, Investment and Communications (2015). National Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility Policy of Trinidad and Tobago. Available at http://tradeind.gov.tt/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/National-Strategic-Corporate-Social-Responsibility-Policy-for-Trinidad-and-Tobago.pdf. Accessed 13 July 2016.
Google Scholar
Moon, J. (2007). The Contribution of Corporate Social Responsibility to Sustainable Development. Sustainable Development (15)5: 296–306. Available at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sd.346/pdf. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Nelson, J. (2008). CSR and Public Policy: New Forms of Engagement between Business and Government. Corporate Responsibility Initiative Working Paper no 45. Cambridge: Harvard University. Available at: https://www.hks.harvard.edu/m-rcbg/CSRI/publications/workingpaper_45_nelson.pdf. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Petrotrin (2013a). CSR in a Region with Extractive Industries: The Petrotrin Perspective. A National Oil Company With A Long & Rich History. Presentation at UWI conference "Achieving Sustainability in Regions with Extractive Industries" on June 14th 2013 at Paria Suites, South Trunk Rd, La Romaine. Available at: https://sta.uwi.edu/conferences/13/ted/documents/Edited-CSRINAREGIONWITHEXTRACTIVEINDUSTRIES.pdf. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Petrotrin (2013b). Corporate Social Responsibility. Available at: http://www.petrotrin.com/Petrotrin2007/CSR.htm. Accessed 24 May 2014.
Google Scholar
Petrotrin (no date). Focusing on our future: corporate social responsibility, report 2012-2013. Available at:
Google Scholar
Poppen, J. (2012). The View from the Boardroom. CEO Study on Corporate Social Responsibility in Trinidad and Tobago. UNDP: Port of Spain.
Google Scholar
Porter, M.; Kramer M. (2004). Evolution or Revolution? A special report by European Business Forum: 3-4. Available at: http://www.johnelkington.com/archive/ebf_CSR_report.pdf. Accessed 18 September 2015.
Google Scholar
Porter, M.; Kramer, M. (2002). The Competitive Advantage of Corporate Philanthropy. Harvard Business Review (80)12: 56-69. Available at: https://hbr.org/2002/12/the-competitive-advantage-of-corporate-philanthropy. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Punnett, B.J.; Greenidge D. (2009). Cultural Mythology and Global Leadership in the Caribbean islands. In: Kessler, E.H. Wong-Mingji D.J. (eds), Cultural Mythology and Global Leadership: 65–78. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing.
Google Scholar
Repsol (2013). CSR Report 2013, http://www.repsol.com/imagenes/es_en/Corporate_Responsibility_Report_2013_tcm11-682061.pdf. Accessed 25 May 2015.
Google Scholar
Shell (2012). Sustainability Report 2012. Available at: http://reports.shell.com/sustainability-report/2012/servicepages/welcome.html. Accessed 25 February 2015.
Google Scholar
Shell (2013). Sustainability Report 2013. Available at: http://reports.shell.com/sustainability-report/2013/servicepages/downloads/files/entire_shell_sr13.pdf. Accessed 25 February 2015.
Google Scholar
Spence, D.B. (2011). Corporate Social Responsibility in the Oil and Gas Industry: The Importance of Reputational Risk. Chi.-Kent. L. Review 86(1): 59-85. Available at: htp://scholarship.kentlaw.iit.edu/cklawreview/vol86/iss1/4. Accessed 7 September 2015.
Google Scholar
Sulek, M. (2010). On the modern meaning of philanthropy. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly (39)2: 193212.
Google Scholar
Torfing, J. B.; Guy Peter. J. P.; Sorensen E. (2012). Interactive governance: Advancing the paradigm, Oxford University Press.
Google Scholar
Trinidad Guardian (2013/b). After City Protest over Seismic Surveys Minister Says: Fisherman awarded $77.3m in four years. Available at: http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2013-10-24/after-city-protest-over-seismicsurveys-ministry-says-fishermen-awarded-773m-four. Accessed 21 May 2014.
Google Scholar
Trinidad Guardian (2013a). Petrotrin Defends Seismic Surveys: No harm to marine life. Available at: https://guardian.co.tt/news/2013-11-20/petrotrin-defends-seismic-surveys-no-harm-marine-life. Accessed 21 May 2014.
Google Scholar
TTEITI (2013). Making Sense of T&T’s Energy Dollars. Trinidad & Tobago EITI report 2010-2011. Port of Spain: TTEITI.
Google Scholar
UN (2013). World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013. UN: New York.
Google Scholar
UNCTAD (2010). 2010 Review of the Implementation Status of Corporate Governance Disclosures: An Inventory of Disclosure Requirements in 21 Frontier Markets. UNCTAD: Geneva. Available at: http://unctad.org/en/Docs/ciiisarcrp9_en.pdf. Accessed: 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
UNDP (2015). Human Development Report 2015, Briefing note for countries on the 2015 human development report, Trinidad and Tobago. UNDP: New York. Available at: http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/TTO.pdf. Accessed 1 July 2016.
Google Scholar
Verrest, H.; Moorcroft, S.; Mohammed, A. (2013). Global Urban Development Programmes and Local Realities in the Caricom-Caribbean: Mismatches in Needs and Approach. Habitat International 40: 258-267. Available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197397513000520. Accessed 29 September 2016.
Google Scholar
Yin, R. K. (2009). Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Google Scholar
Zollo, M. (2004). Philanthropy or CSR: A strategic choice. A special report by European Business Forum:18-19. Available at: http://www.johnelkington.com/archive/ebf_CSR_report.pdf. Accessed 18 September 2015
Google Scholar
