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Global Sustainability Under Uncertainty: How Do Multinationals Craft Regulatory Policies?

Durugbo, Christopher, Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph (2019) Global Sustainability Under Uncertainty: How Do Multinationals Craft Regulatory Policies? Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 26 (6). pp. 1500-1516. ISSN 1535-3958. (doi:10.1002/csr.1764) (KAR id:73341)

Abstract

Multinational corporations are increasingly mindful of the significance of sustainability transitions and the need for operations that are energy efficient and environmentally sound. Achieving sustainability under conditions of uncertainty entails the involvement of multiple stakeholders in initiating and carrying outsustainability-focused initiatives. Using longitudinal analysis of Royal Dutch Shell’s sustainability policies, we developed an integrated model to elucidate how uncertainty influences sustainability policies in the specific context of multinational corporations (hereinafter – MNCs). We identified three phases in theevolution of Shell’s sustainability innovation: a self-reflective phase (2000–2003) characterized by intense pressure from climate advocacy groups, an investment phase (2004–2006) for which the MNC attempted to rise to the waste disposal and pollution challenge through renewable sources of energy, and a reorganization phase (2007–2010) to streamline operations. We also uncovered themes that influence how regulatory policies are crafted: responding positively to the “community’s voice”, risk spreading through joint ventures, revenue transparency for government accountability and reporting innovation that confronts hard truths. The practical implications are outlined.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/csr.1764
Uncontrolled keywords: sustainable development; stakeholder engagement; environmental policy; global environment; sustainability transitions
Subjects: H Social Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and International Business
Depositing User: Joseph Amankwah-Amoah
Date Deposited: 03 Apr 2019 06:26 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 16:03 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/73341 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Amankwah-Amoah, Joseph.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0383-5831
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