Premium Essay

Case #8: Royal Dutch / Shell: Ethical Issues, Human Rights and Resource Extraction

In:

Submitted By ozelkirkland
Words 2214
Pages 9
TMG 610 Global Trends in Technology

Case #8: Royal Dutch / Shell: Ethical Issues, Human Rights and Resource Extraction

Case Study Report

Ozel Kirkland

29 March 2014

I. Introduction – In General Terms What is this case is about? Why is it relevant to TMG 610?
Whether the extractive industries like it or not, the nature of their involvement with host nations is a precarious balance between competing interests (Dicken, 2010), and firms are either obligated to conduct themselves responsibly when dealing with developing nations like Nigeria, or mitigate the negative effects of their choices after the fact, like Royal Dutch / Shell was compelled to. Unfortunately, some extraction companies have a reputation for embracing their short-term self-interests, exploiting developing countries rich with oil like Nigeria, instead of acting ethically.
Many of the extractive resources of the world are found in poorer, or developing countries. The question is how can these resources be exploited without foreign assistance. In the earlier part of the twentieth century, many of these extractive industries originated from colonial powers that had expanded into these countries and invested in these companies. This expansion was singularly intended to expand the grip for these foreign countries over mineral resources, used to support their home country and the growing manufacturing and infrastructure growth in those home nations. However the relationships between these host nations and large extractive companies was in the past, there is a growing focus on accountability and ethical behavior that will not tolerate the behavior companies like Shell once exhibited.
This subject is important to this course, TMG 610, because the ethical behavior of companies engaged in international trades, such as resource extraction, can play a vital role in the future of the

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Shell

...Shell in the Niger Delta: A Framework for Change Five case studies from civil society sponsored by February 2010 About ECCR The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility (ECCR) is a church-based investor coalition and membership organisation working for economic justice, environmental stewardship, and corporate and investor responsibility. ECCR undertakes research, advocacy and dialogue with companies and investors. It seeks to influence company policy and practice and to raise awareness among the British and Irish churches, the investor community and the general public. For more information, please visit www.eccr.org.uk. Acknowledgements ECCR would like to thank the five civil society organisations that contributed case studies based on their work in the Niger Delta; Cordaid for generously sponsoring the report; members, partners and independent experts who advised, read and commented on the text before publication; Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Shell Petroleum Development Corporation of Nigeria for providing company information and commenting on the text. Cover photo credits: Friends of the Earth International; IRIN/UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs; Milieudefensie/Friends of the Earth Netherlands; Stakeholder Democracy Network. Disclaimers ECCR has commissioned and published these case studies as a contribution to public understanding. The text has undergone a careful process of fact-checking and review to achieve accuracy and balance. Nevertheless...

Words: 40025 - Pages: 161

Free Essay

Hoba Lala

...Delivery and growth Royal Dutch Shell plc Annual Report and Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2007 Royal Dutch Shell Our Business With 104,000 employees in more than 110 countries and territories, Shell plays a key role in helping to meet the world’s growing demand for energy in economically, environmentally and socially responsible ways. Our Exploration & Production business searches for and recovers oil and natural gas around the world. Many of these activities are carried out as joint venture partnerships, often with national oil companies. Our Gas & Power business liquefies natural gas and transports it to customers across the world. Its gas to liquids (GTL) process turns natural gas into cleaner-burning synthetic fuel and other products. It develops wind power to generate electricity and invests in solar power technology. It also licenses our coal gasification technology, a cleaner way of turning coal into chemical feedstocks and energy. Our Oil Sands business, the Athabasca Oil Sands Project, extracts bitumen from oil sands in Alberta, western Canada and converts it to synthetic crude oils. Our Oil Products business makes, moves and sells a range of petroleum-based products around the world for domestic, industrial and transport use. Its Future Fuels and CO2 business unit develops fuels such as biofuels and hydrogen and synthetic fuels made from natural gas (GTL Fuel) and potentially from biomass; and leads company-wide activities on CO2 management. With...

Words: 135221 - Pages: 541

Premium Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility

...Professor Burleson Spring, 2009 Table of Contents Introduction 2 Background 3 The Need for CSR at Home and Abroad 7 Case Study Analyses: Four Critical Events in the Oil Industry and their Effect on CSR Case Study #1: The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill 9 Case Study #2: Occidental and the Piper Alpha Disaster 12 Case Study #3: A Two-Part Analysis of Shell in the Mid-1990s a) Shell’s Human Rights Violations in Nigeria 16 b) Shell’s Response—Outsource CSR 21 Case Study #4: BP’s Major Advances in CSR 24 Ethics and the Problem of the Public Relations Quick Fix 27 Analyzing the Current Corporate Culture: Failure to Meet the Triple Bottom Line 32 Conclusion 38 Works Cited…………………………………………………………………...…………41 Introduction Over the past twenty years an irrefutable shift in the oil industry has occurred—the shift to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).[1] The purpose of this paper is to analyze the motivation behind this shift and determine if these CSR practices are genuine. In other words, does the adoption of CSR denote a tangible change in the way oil companies operate, or is it merely an elaborate public relations exercise? To answer this question, the paper analyzes the motivation behind the shift to CSR through a case study analysis of four major events in the oil industry and their ensuing effects (or lack thereof) regarding CSR. These events include...

Words: 12105 - Pages: 49

Premium Essay

Swot of Tesco

...Introduction of Organization: Assignment is based on two Firms that is BP and Shell. To analyses the strategic business units (SBUs) of BP Solar and Shell Renewables within the alternative energy industry, which are part of British Petroleum (BP) and Royal/Dutch Shell Group (Shell), the world's second and third largest energy companies? Environmental analysis highlights the increasing volatility of the global energy market, which is driven by factors including demographics, urbanisation, income levels, market liberalisation and demand. What Does Macro Environment Mean? The conditions that exist in the economy as a whole, rather than in a particular sector or region. In general, the macro environment will include trends in gross domestic product (GDP), inflation, employment, spending, and monetary and fiscal policy. The macro environment is closely linked to the general business cycle, as opposed to the performance of an individual business sector. (www.investopedia.com ) Major external and uncontrollable factors that influence an organization's decision making, and affect its performance and strategies. These factors include the economic, demographics, legal, political, and social conditions, technological changes, and natural forces. Factors that influence a company's or product's development but that are outside of the company's control. For example, the macro environment could include competitors, changes in interest rates, changes in cultural tastes, or government...

Words: 7235 - Pages: 29

Free Essay

Geography

...hij Teacher Resource Bank Environmental Studies Unit 1 ENVS1 The Living Environment Teachers Notes Copyright © 2008 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. The Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (company number 3644723) and a registered charity (registered charity number 1073334). Registered address: AQA, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6EX. Dr Michael Cresswell, Director General. Teacher Resource Bank / GCE Environmental Studies / Teachers’ Notes Unit 1 / Version 1.0 Unit 1 ENVS1 The Living Environment Introduction These Teachers’ Notes are intended to expand upon Unit 1: The Living Environment by providing greater detail of the topics to be covered and how these should be developed. Examples included in the specification must be covered. Where specific examples are not given, suitable examples should be chosen to illustrate the principles and issues that are included in the specification. This guide includes suitable examples that may be used (in italics) but others may be used if preferred eg if the candidates or teachers have particular experience or knowledge. It is anticipated that the use of carefully selected examples may reduce total teaching effort by enabling a number of issues to be covered in a single situation. This will also help candidates to appreciate the holistic, inter-connected nature of the subject and prepare them for the study of broader issues such as sustainability...

Words: 6185 - Pages: 25

Free Essay

Functionalism

...NGO Engagement with the Private Sector on a Global Agenda to End Poverty: A Review of the Issues A Background Paper for The Learning Circle on NGO Engagement with the Private Sector Canadian Council for International Cooperation Policy Team Moira Hutchinson January 2000 Acknowledgements: This paper was prepared by Moira Hutchinson as an introductory paper to issues for the CCIC’s Learning Circle on NGO Engagement with the Private Sector. CCIC is grateful to the IDRC’s Canadian Partnerships Program for funding for the Learning Circle, including the production of this paper. The author wishes to express appreciation for the editing and other assistance provided by Brian Tomlinson of the CCIC, and for suggestions from other members of the planning group for the Learning Circle: Andrea Botto, Anne Buchanan, Tim Draimin, Philippe Jean, Brian Murphy and Lynda Yanz. 2 NGO Engagement with the Private Sector on a Global Agenda to End Poverty : A Review of the Issues Table of Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. What is this discussion really about? 2 3. Canadian NGOs: issues in advocacy, dialogue and partnership 3 3.1 Advocacy 3 3.2 Direct dialogue 6 3.3 Programming social partnerships and strategic alliances 8 3.3.1 What is driving the discussion of social programming partnerships and strategic alliances? a) Corporate interests b) Intermediary organizations c) NGO interests d) Government agendas e) Overlapping NGO-corporate interests? 10 10 11 12 13 14 3.3.2 Financial relationships...

Words: 13797 - Pages: 56

Free Essay

Research Paper

...[pic] ConocoPhillips – Final Report MBA 808 – Moscow May 1, 2008 Scott Legler Erin Osborn Greg Whitehorn Introduction The ConocoPhillips and LUKOIL joint venture provides great insight into doing business in Russia. The Russian economy continues to grow as companies domestically and internationally find success in an emerging market once filled with corruption and instability. Through an analysis of the ConocoPhillips and LUKOIL joint venture one can see the opportunities available for those companies who are able to enter this market. ConocoPhillips provides lessons learned and a six-step approach for a successful joint venture business in Russia. ConocoPhillips also provides insight into many of the challenges still facing those who desire to do business in Russia. They prove that with a will to confront and determination to overcome these challenges, business in Russia can prove to be quite profitable. Background ConocoPhillips ConocoPhillips is the third largest energy company in the U.S. Based on market capitalization; it is surpassed in size only by U.S. oil giants Exxon Mobile and Chevron. ConocoPhillips is headquartered in Houston, TX and employees over 32,000 people worldwide in forty countries. According to its website “ConocoPhillips is known worldwide for its technological expertise in reservoir management and exploration...

Words: 7377 - Pages: 30

Premium Essay

Cornalcornalcornal

...First published September 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without permission of the copyright owner. While every effort has been made to ensure that references to websites are correct at time of going to press, the world wide web is a constantly changing environment and the University of Sunderland cannot accept any responsibility for any changes to addresses. The University of Sunderland acknowledges product, service and company names referred to in this publication, many of which are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks. All materials internally quality assessed by the University of Sunderland and reviewed by academics external to the University. Instructional design and publishing project management by Wordhouse Ltd, Reading, UK. Contents Introduction vii Unit 1 The contemporary world of business and management Introduction 1.1 1.2 The global business environment The importance of developments in the global environment Case Study 1.3 Organisational decision making and performance vii 1 3 10 14 17 19 19 20 Self-assessment questions Feedback on self-assessment questions Summary Unit 2 Globalisation Introduction 2.1 2.2 Definitions and indicators of globalisation Key drivers and facilitators of globalisation Case Study 2.3 2.4 Barriers and inhibitors...

Words: 84990 - Pages: 340

Premium Essay

Student

...Nebraska–Lincoln Jonathan P. Doh Villanova University Lut12575_fm_i-xxvi.indd Page ii 2/11/11 2:35 PM user-f494 /203/MHBR222/Lut12575_disk1of1/0078112575/Lut12575_pagefiles INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT: CULTURE, STRATEGY, AND BEHAVIOR, EIGHTH EDITION Published by McGraw-Hill, a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Previous editions © 2009, 2006, and 2003. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., including, but not limited to, in any network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning. Some ancillaries, including electronic and print components, may not be available to customers outside the United States. This book is printed on recycled, acid-free paper containing 10% postconsumer waste. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 QDB/QDB 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN 978-0-07-811257-7 MHID 0-07-811257-5 Vice President & Editor-in-Chief: Brent Gordon Vice President, EDP/Central Publishing Services: Kimberly Meriwether-David Editorial Director: Paul Ducham Managing Developmental Editor: Laura Hurst Spell Developmental Editor: Jane Beck Associate Marketing Manager: Jaime Halteman Project Manager: Erin Melloy Buyer: Kara Kudronowicz Design Coordinator: Margarite Reynolds ...

Words: 69321 - Pages: 278

Premium Essay

Ongc

...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ONGC leads the way when it comes to achieving carbon neutrality within the energy sector. In an effort to do so, it has become the first PSU to achieve emission reduction certificates from the United Nations. Achievements of this sort, coupled with growth, make ONGC the undisputed leader in its business The Company has set many milestones and the government has decided to bestow the “Maharatna” status with increased empowerments and distinctly higher status as a premier Public Sector Undertaking. The company has recorded the highest Net Profit of Rs. 189,240 million. ONGC recorded highest ever production of 62.05 million ton of oil and equivalent gas (MMTOE). For the reporting year 2010-11. This represents a growth of 12% in both turnover and net worth and 13% in net profit over FY-2010. The company continued to pursue its growth strategy despite the fact that global economy was in shambles and the oil industry had been at crossroads since later half of 2008. The growth vehicle of ONGC, “ONGC VIDESH LTD.” With 40 projects in 15 countries sourced 8.87 MTOE of oil and gas in FY 2010: the highest ever. Beyond core activities of E&P, the company’s efforts towards new gas sources are also laudable. CBM production from the pilot Parbatpur, Jharia project has started in January 2010. Environmental clearance from UCG pilot project at Vatsan, Gujarat has also been obtained. The company has also taken lead in the exploration of shale...

Words: 11056 - Pages: 45

Free Essay

Juriprudence

...Cassie Hughes Cover design  Paula K. Rylands, Conservation International : Layout: Kim Meek, Washington, DC Maps [except where noted otherwise]  Kellee Koenig, Conservation International : Conservation International is a private, non-profit organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. ISBN 978-1-934151-39-6 © 2010 by Conservation International All rights reserved. The designations of geographical entities in this publication, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of Conservation International or its supporting organizations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect those of Conservation International (CI). Suggested citation: Walker Painemilla, K., Rylands, A. B., Woofter, A. and Hughes, C. (eds.). 2010. Indigenous Peoples and Conservation: From  Rights to Resource Management. Conservation International, Arlington, VA. Cover photos: Background: Red-and-green macaw (Ara chloroptera) with two Kayapo children, Pará, Brazil. © Cristina G. Mittermeier. Left column (from top to bottom):  Man in native dress at the Celebration of the YUS (Yopno, Uruwa, and Som watersheds) Conservation Area Dedication in Teptep village, Papua New Guinea. © Bruce Beehler/Conservation...

Words: 170022 - Pages: 681

Free Essay

Deeepwater

...Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Dissertations Graduate College 8-1-2012 Deepwater, Deep Ties, Deep Trouble: A StateCorporate Environmental Crime Analysis of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Elizabeth A. Bradshaw Western Michigan University, brads2ea@cmich.edu Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations Recommended Citation Bradshaw, Elizabeth A., "Deepwater, Deep Ties, Deep Trouble: A State-Corporate Environmental Crime Analysis of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill" (2012). Dissertations. Paper 53. This Dissertation-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact maira.bundza@wmich.edu. DEEPWATER, DEEP TIES, DEEP TROUBLE: A STATE-CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME ANALYSIS OF THE 2010 GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL by Elizabeth A. Bradshaw A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Sociology Advisor: Ronald C. Kramer, Ph.D. Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan August 2012 THE GRADUATE COLLEGE WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN June 29, 2012 Date WE HEREBY APPROVE THE DISSERTATION SUBMITTED BY Elizabeth A. Bradshaw ENTITLED Deepwater, Deep Ties, Deep Trouble: A State-Corporate Environmental...

Words: 81631 - Pages: 327

Premium Essay

Jared Diamond Collapse

...Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India Penguin Group (NZ), Cnr Airborne and Rosedale Roads, Albany, Auckland 1310, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd) Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa Penguin Books Ltd, Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R ORL, England First published in 2005 by Viking Penguin, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. 13579 10 8642 Copyright © Jared Diamond, 2005 All rights reserved Maps by Jeffrey L. Ward LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING IN PUBLICATION DATA Diamond, Jared M. Collapse: how societies choose to fail or succeed/Jared Diamond. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 0-670-03337-5 1. Social history—Case studies. 2. Social change—Case studies. 3. Environmental policy— Case studies. I. Title. HN13. D5 2005 304.2'8—dc22 2004057152 This book is printed on acid-free paper. 8 Printed in the United States of America Set in Minion Designed by Francesca Belanger Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or...

Words: 235965 - Pages: 944

Premium Essay

Essential of Strategic Management

...An Integrated Approach to Strategy Running Case Featuring Wal-Mart Wal-Mart’s Competitive Advantage (Chapter 1) ● Working Conditions at Wal-Mart (Chapter 2) ● Wal-Mart’s Bargaining Power over Suppliers (Chapter 3) ● Human Resource Strategy and Productivity at Wal-Mart (Chapter 4) ● How Wal-Mart Became a Cost Leader (Chapter 5) ● Wal-Mart’s Global Expansion (Chapter 6) ● WalMart Internally Ventures a New Kind of Retail Store (Chapter 8) ● Sam Walton’s Approach to Implementing Wal-Mart’s Strategy (Chapter 9) Strategy in Action Features A Strategic Shift at Microsoft (Chapter 1) ● The Agency Problem at Tyco (Chapter 2) ● Circumventing Entry Barriers into the Soft Drink Industry (Chapter 3) ● Learning Effects in Cardiac Surgery (Chapter 4) ● How to Make Money in the Vacuum Tube Business (Chapter 5) ● The Evolution of Strategy at Procter & Gamble (Chapter 6) ● Diversification at 3M: Leveraging Technology (Chapter 7) ● News Corp’s Successful Acquisition Strategy (Chapter 8) ● How to Flatten and Decentralize Structure (Chapter 9) Practicing Strategic Management Application-based activities intended to get your students thinking beyond the book. Small-Group Exercises Short experiential exercises that ask students to coordinate and collaborate on group work focused on an aspect of strategic management. Exploring the Web Internet exercises that require students to explore company websites and answer chapter-related questions. Designing a Planning System (Chapter 1) Evaluating...

Words: 223966 - Pages: 896

Free Essay

Thesis

...[pic] Frank G. Madsen Queens’ College University of Cambridge International Monetary Flows of Non-Declared Origin This dissertation is submitted to the University of Cambridge to Fulfil the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy April 2008 Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Effetti del Buon Governo Siena, Palazzo Pubblico Sala dei Nove 1337-1340 Declaration This dissertation is the result of my own work and includes nothing, which is the outcome of work done in collaboration. Chapter 3, “Complexity, TOC and Terrorism”, was presented in an embryonic form at the ISA conference in Chicago, USA, March 2007. Chapter 4, “Organised Crime”, is the further elaboration of a chapter of the same title published in 2007 in the Oxford Handbook on the United Nations Statement of Length The dissertation does not exceed the word limit of 80,000 words Fieldwork Thailand (money laundering); Indonesia and Burma (deforestation); New York (US money supply); Washington DC and Fort Worth, Texas (Organised Crime linked to terrorist funding); Australia (Sydney, (APG) and Canberra (money laundering, South Pacific); and Rome, Italy (Chinese organised crime). Contact Frank.Madsen@cantab.net Abstract Through an analysis of the presence and nature of international monetary flows of non-declared origin and their relation to deviant knowledge, the thesis...

Words: 99119 - Pages: 397