Revisiting the ‘how’ of corporate social responsibility in extractive industries and forestry

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2014-12, Vol.84, p.299-312
• Main Authors: Ranängen, Helena, Zobel, Thomas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Americas; Analogies; Cleaning; Communities; Corporate social responsibility (CSR); Extractive industries; Forestry; Mining; Oceania; Practice
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.02.020

Extractive industries such as mining and oil, as well as the forestry industry, are in the forefront concerning Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The research body concerning CSR in these industries is substantial. The purpose of this study is to review the part of the research in this field that primarily focuses on the ‘how’ issues of CSR in order to provide valuable information concerning which subareas of CSR that have been addressed and the characteristics of those areas. The identified research concerning extractive industries is focused mainly on CSR practices in Africa, Oceania and South America. Even if research concerning forestry to a large extent includes European activities there seem to be a lack of knowledge regarding CSR development in Europe. Several differences and similarities have been identified in how the industry sectors are practicing CSR. Forestry seems to be practicing CSR mainly through environmental issues and mining companies are focusing primarily on community involvement and development as well as environment issues. The most comprehensive and applied CSR practice is found in the oil industry. Despite the fact that most of the literature claimed to address the practical side of CSR, it still remains unknown how some CSR issues are practiced in real company life. •In forestry CSR seems to be practiced mainly through environmental issues.•Mining companies are focusing their CSR practice on community involvement and development as well as environmental issues.•The most comprehensive and applied CSR practice is found in the oil industry.•Many studies scrape on the surface of CSR practice and do not dig deeper into implementation issues.•More empirical studies, exploring implementation issues of CSR, are needed.