Exploring Norway's ocean governance aptitude against United Nations global compact principles for sustainable oceans

For many decades, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has provided the legal framework for the development of regulations for the protection of the oceans and marine resources. Further to that, and in an ever-changing policy and legal landscape, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), with its sub-principles for the protection of the oceans, refers to one of the many United Nations (UN) voluntary initiatives that seeks to provide a framework for responsible business practices across maritime sector. In addition, and as a move to comply with the recent United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UNGC has been revised to meet the requirements of SDG 14 for underwater protection and sustainable ocean business conduct. In the wake of such trends, this study explores the context of Norway's governance framework and, in particular, the extent to which this regime has addressed the principles of the United Nations Global Compact for Sustainable Oceans. Framed by a socio-legal methodological approach, it achieves this by reviewing and contrasting Norwegian ocean policy and regulatory structure with UNGC principles for sustainable ocean and marine resource use. We conclude that Norwegian ocean policy and legal status indicate positive transitional standards and perspectives for their harmonization with the UNGC principles and, consequently, with the requirements of the SDG 14

A quantitative study into perceptions and attitudes of corporate social responsibility and sustainability developments in international shipping

In recent decades the international community has demonstrated a growing concern and tendency to halt adverse environmental impacts generated by business activities. Among a plethora of regulatory initiatives and collaborations, the 2030 Agenda, and incorporated 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), represent United Nations recent remarkable development toward this direction. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), as the United Nations (UNs) specialized Agency to deal with safety at sea and protection of the marine environment has been, actively, engaged and harmonized its strategy with global sustainability mandates. Similarly, a great deal of research and motivation has been placed on corporate social responsibility (CSR), as a business operating model that goes beyond regulatory compliance and integrates sustainability challenges. In view of the limited amount of related research in the tanker and dry bulk sector, the purpose of this paper is to investigate and provide a better understanding against perceptions and attitudes of CSR and sustainability in shipping. Research data collected via a questionnaire survey conducted in 50 shipping companies, based on 14 countries worldwide and managing tankers and/or dry bulk carrier ships. Hence, Chi-square test of independence and Spearman’s correlation coefficient measures are employed to test the statistical significance and strength of association between selected variables, verifying, thus, our formulated hypotheses. Findings show that shipping companies perceive CSR as a voluntary and beyond regulatory compliance businesses approach that, furthermore, shares current sustainability aspects. Moreover, shipping companies have been, increasingly, integrating into their safety management system (SMS) provisions of CSR and sustainability principles, while, at the same time, seek to remain compliant with statutory maritime legislation. However, certification against an official CSR Standard and, subsequent, adoption of standardized CSR measurement and reporting methods, has not yet been the case in shipping

Determinants to the implementation of corporate social responsibility in the maritime industry : a quantitative study

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has evolved to a leading subject for both academic research and management practice. Although several standpoints exist to approach theoretical and practical implementation issues, however, CSR is, mostly, perceived as a managerial tactic that integrates and deals with sustainability challenge. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has already attempted to align its policy with United Nation's (UN's) latest sustainability mandates and, specifically, with UN's 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. In that respect, the Organization has committed itself to establish a sustainable maritime transportation system by founding sustainability initiatives in a wider CSR framework. Further to a study carried out to 50 tanker and dry bulk maritime companies, the aim of this study is to investigate and discuss restricting factors and driving forces associated with the implementation of CSR in shipping. Chi-square independence test and contingency coefficient statistical measures are employed to test formulated hypotheses. Findings imply that lack of training and appreciation of long-term benefits that CSR can bring to an organization constitutes a significant discouraging factor to CSR engagement. In terms of CSR drivers, increased trust and improved company's image and relationships with key stakeholders represent a key motivating factor to CSR implementation

Reframing corporate social responsibility and sustainability in the aftermath of United Nations 2030 agenda : an empirical study into the tanker and dry bulk maritime sector

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development constitute an integral component of organization's strategy. Nowadays, growing environmental concerns have triggered a plethora of social initiatives and regulatory regimes. In view of United Nations 2030 Agenda, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the European Union (EU) have stressed the leading and efficient attributes of shipping transport and committed themselves to the achievement of global sustainability mandates. Similarly, CSR has been identified as a strategic approach to manage sustainability challenges. However, with the exception of few shipping segments, CSR refers to a, relatively, newly introduced notion to the shipping business. Based on a survey questionnaire sent to tanker and /or bulk maritime companies this study aims to investigate CSR and sustainability configurations, as they have been shaped in the light of United Nations 2030 Agenda. Developed hypotheses are tested using Pearson chi-square independence test and Spearman's correlation coefficient measure. Findings illustrate CSR as a strategic management tool to integrate sustainability challenges. Thereafter, the integrated management system (IMS) approach is, highly, indicated as the most effective business model to address sustainability into maritime operations. Though, the lack of a non-legally binding CSR regime is not found to influence companies' decision to adopt CSR

Embracing sustainability in shipping : assessing industry's adaptations incited by the, newly, introduced 'triple bottom line' approach to sustainable maritime development

Increasing environmental, social and economic problems, born by unceasing economic growth, have transformed our approach to the development concept. The 1980s saw the appearance of the sustainable development term and, during the 1990s, sustainability notion was implicitly framed as an integrated concept, frequently, termed as the ‘triple bottom line’ approach. Among several initiatives and efforts to balance our economic and societal pursuits with environmental challenges the, lately, introduced United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) refer to a remarkable evolution, which came to strengthen and establish sustainability conception as an integrated social, economic and environmental triptych. International shipping, as the major carrier of world trade and significant contributor to environmental degradation has, definitely, a vital role to play in facilitating the UN’s sustainability venture. Although there is a great amount of legislative instruments, codes and guidance to address sustainability in shipping, though, limited research has been devoted to identify how the tanker and dry bulk maritime sector has responded to such recent cohesive attitude to sustainable maritime development. Through a quantitative research approach this empirical study aimed to investigate maritime industry’s insights and attitudes in relation to the, newly, introduced triple bottom line approach to global sustainable development. Research data were collected via a questionnaire survey conducted to 50 tanker and/or dry bulk shipping companies. Pearson’s chi-square test of independence and Spearman’s correlation coefficient measures were utilized to test our three formulated hypotheses. Findings highlighted increasing awareness and adaptation of the maritime sector to the triple bottom line approach and, subsequent, sustainability absorption under the auspices of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) business model. Introduction of sustainable development in an integrated manner appears to have influenced the extent that statutory maritime regulations occupy to the formulation of marine safety management systems. To sum up, the integrated management system model turned out to be the most rated tactic to manage sustainability and, as such, a conceptual CSR framework was proposed to facilitate such an objectiv

Navigating the nexus between UNCLOS and the sustainable development goals: Perspectives from transitions in Norway's ocean governance regime

Abstract Oceans and marine resources represent an invaluable source of life and well-being for humanity. Despite their contribution, oceans are constantly affected by human activities such as overfishing, shipping, and resource extraction, thus jeopardizing the viability of marine ecosystems. Periodically, a series of global initiatives led by the United Nations have sought to reverse these negative effects and safeguard sustainable ocean use. The United Nation's Law of the Sea (1982, UNCLOS) is a prominent undertaking in this direction, as it has created the legal framework for sustainable ocean governance. Norway, an ocean nation, has been a strong supporter of this international treaty, but also of the recent sustainable development goals (SDGs), which have typically complemented UNCLOS in the global quest for ocean sustainability. In this context, this paper delves into and posits the synergies and interactions between UNCLOS and SDGs and describes the related shifts in Norway's ocean governance regime

Understanding CSR and sustainability integration patterns into the corporate governance and organizational processes of a ship management company : a case study

In recent years there has been a growing use of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development concepts, both as international policy frameworks and as self-regulating business models. The International Maritime Organisation, guided by its recent commitment to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, has acknowledged and encouraged the engagement of these principles to the shipping industry. However, the literature review showed some limited research to their practical application and understanding at the ship management level. Through an adopted case study strategy and applied content analysis method, this paper explores how CSR and sustainable development are integrated and diffused into the corporate governance structure and organisational processes of a shipping company. The results underscore the extensive handling of aspects of CSR and sustainable development throughout company's strategy and organisational processes. However, company issues falling within fair operating practices and areas of community involvement do appear to be lagging behind

Investigating the effectiveness of the maritime regulatory regime to address a socially responsible shipping industry : a content analysis study

The introduction of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in 2015, has transformed the approach of public and private entities to address environmental, social and economic challenges. As result, new governance and management insights are sought, among them corporate social responsibility (CSR), which is increasingly seen as a self-regulating means to help organizations meet multifaceted challenges. With regard to shipping, global developments have called for a blueprint to facilitate industry's transition to a more sustainable pathway. However, CSR applicability in the maritime business is relatively recent and has been mainly viewed as a voluntary and beyond regulatory compliance notion. Among these shifts, this study explores the effectiveness and extent to which the maritime regulatory regime has addressed CSR topics. A case study strategy and content analysis method is employed. In turn, ISO 26000 social responsibility standard employed as the guiding paradigm to identify applicability of CSR norms within selected maritime legislation. Findings revealed a satisfactory coverage by the maritime regime of CSR issues falling under the scope of human rights, labor, the environment and organizational governance subjects. Though, it seemed to lag behind in subjects situated within the array of fair operating practices, consumer treatment and community involvement

Governing the oceans : a study into Norway's ocean governance regime in the wake of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Increasing use of ocean space, through land or sea industries, has over time caused aggregated ecological problems as well as state jurisdictional issues thus leading to the development of regimes for regulating and reversing such effects and disputes. In this context, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) constitutes a fundamental instrument for the governance of the marine environment and its resources. Currently, the urgent need to resolve depletion of ocean resources has led us to gradually include the principles of sustainable development in the ocean governance spectrum. Amid growing international efforts to preserve oceans, the United Nations (UNs) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) introduced a new form of ocean governance by integrating seasonable sustainability perspectives to the hitherto established ocean governance status quo. This paper aims to explore Norway's ocean governance regime contributing thus to the discourse of country's transition and shaping to address latest sustainability challenges. To do so, a socio-legal scholarship is adopted. Drawing on hypotheses from extensive review and contextual analysis by a total of 158 Norwegian government sources and literature, the article identified significant adjustments to the Norwegian ocean governance model, as well as weaknesses that need further intervention

Investigating the role of corporate social responsibility in achieving a sustainable shipping industry in the aftermath of United Nations 2030 Agenda

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a concept that has been, gradually, grown and applied to the business world. Although not new to today's business setting, though, still remains difficult to be precisely defined. Broadly, it is assumed that CSR derives from the expectations the society has from enterprises. The term of sustainable development became first known in 'Our Common Future' report, published by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987.;Though, a remarkable evolution took place at the UN Conference, in September 2015, where the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals adopted. Although several studies have been undertaken to illuminate perceptions and practices between CSR and sustainable development in other industries, however, no significant research has yet been undertaken in the tanker and dry bulk maritime context. Especially, in the aftermath of United Nations 2030 Agenda.;As a result, the relationship between CSR and sustainable development remains somehow unexplored. To fill this gap, the present study investigated perceptions, attitudes, drivers, barriers and the relationship between CSR and sustainable development as experienced by shipping companies operating in the tanker and dry bulk shipping sector. To achieve the study aims an overall quantitative approach was adopted. Literature review led to the formulation of six hypotheses, which were tested using data collected by a questionnaire survey. 50 tanker and dry bulk companies, based in 14 countries participated.;Study results indicated that CSR and sustainability awareness and implementation in the tanker and dry shipping sector is at a growing state. Shipping companies have been increasingly responding to latest global regulatory developments and seem to be well adapted. Moreover, stakeholders appeared to exercise a positive influence in maritime companies' decision to adopt CSR. Though, CSR is seen as a voluntary business model, namely, the vehicle to deal with latest sustainability challenges. An integrated management system approach was rated as the most preferred tactic to embrace CSR and achieve sustainability into maritime operations.Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a concept that has been, gradually, grown and applied to the business world. Although not new to today's business setting, though, still remains difficult to be precisely defined. Broadly, it is assumed that CSR derives from the expectations the society has from enterprises. The term of sustainable development became first known in 'Our Common Future' report, published by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987.;Though, a remarkable evolution took place at the UN Conference, in September 2015, where the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals adopted. Although several studies have been undertaken to illuminate perceptions and practices between CSR and sustainable development in other industries, however, no significant research has yet been undertaken in the tanker and dry bulk maritime context. Especially, in the aftermath of United Nations 2030 Agenda.;As a result, the relationship between CSR and sustainable development remains somehow unexplored. To fill this gap, the present study investigated perceptions, attitudes, drivers, barriers and the relationship between CSR and sustainable development as experienced by shipping companies operating in the tanker and dry bulk shipping sector. To achieve the study aims an overall quantitative approach was adopted. Literature review led to the formulation of six hypotheses, which were tested using data collected by a questionnaire survey. 50 tanker and dry bulk companies, based in 14 countries participated.;Study results indicated that CSR and sustainability awareness and implementation in the tanker and dry shipping sector is at a growing state. Shipping companies have been increasingly responding to latest global regulatory developments and seem to be well adapted. Moreover, stakeholders appeared to exercise a positive influence in maritime companies' decision to adopt CSR. Though, CSR is seen as a voluntary business model, namely, the vehicle to deal with latest sustainability challenges. An integrated management system approach was rated as the most preferred tactic to embrace CSR and achieve sustainability into maritime operations