Struggles at the summits:Discourse coalitions, field boundaries, and the shifting role of business in sustainable development

This research explores the field dynamics that facilitated the emergence of a dominant understanding of business’ role in sustainable development (SD). Based on a study of the U.N. Earth Summits, we examine how actors meet every decade to battle for definitional control of what SD means for business, and what business means for SD. Through a discourse analysis of texts from business, policy, and civil society actors during each Summit, we illustrate how an ensuing discursive struggle shifts the role of business in SD from being largely undefined in 1992, to being considered an SD partner in 2002, and finally to becoming a driver of SD by 2012. We contend that these shifts occurred largely due to two field dynamics: (a) rearranging of field boundaries and (2) forming of a discourse coalition. Accordingly, our study highlights how disparate actors coalesce around a shared-meaning system and collectively shape the role of business role in SD. However, we argue that despite the allure of a unified meaning-making process between once antagonistic actors, business–SD relations are underpinned by politicized interaction where certain actors come to dominate, and, in doing so, marginalize others

Drilling their own graves:How the European oil and gas supermajors avoid sustainability tensions through mythmaking

This study explores how paradoxical tensions between economic growth and environmental protection are avoided through organizational mythmaking. By examining the European oil and gas supermajors’ ‘‘CEOspeak’’ about climate change, we show how mythmaking facilitates the disregarding, diverting, and/or displacing of sustainability tensions. In doing so, our findings further illustrate how certain defensive responses are employed: (1) regression, or retreating to the comforts of past familiarities, (2) fantasy, or escaping the harsh reality that fossil fuels and climate change are indeed irreconcilable, and (3) projecting, or shifting blame to external actors for failing to address climate change. By highlighting the discursive effects of enacting these responses, we illustrate how the European oil and gas supermajors self-determine their inability to substantively address the complexities of climate change. We thus argue that defensive responses are not merely a form of mismanagement as the paradox and corporate sustainability literature commonly suggests, but a strategic resource that poses serious ethical concerns given the imminent danger of issues such as climate change

Theorizing international business in Africa : a roadmap

International business in Africa is complicated by colonial history, late internationalization, and the growing interest of various foreign powers in Africa and its resources. We share key indicators about African countries and offer a conceptual map to help make sense of this complex scholarly terrain. We distinguish between three types of multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in sub-Saharan Africa: Advanced MNEs (from high-income previous colonial and non-colonial countries), Emerging MNEs (from middle-income countries both inside and outside the region) and Nascent MNEs (from low-income African countries). We show how these distinct types of MNEs provide different development opportunities, how they engage differently with local, national, regional, and supra-national institutions, and why this matters for international business policy. We show how the papers showcased in this special issue contribute to a deeper understanding of international business in Africa and propose future research directions.Le commerce international en Afrique est compliqué par l'histoire coloniale, l'internationalisation tardive et l'intérêt croissant de diverses puissances étrangères pour l'Afrique et ses ressources. Nous partageons des indicateurs clés sur les pays africains et proposons une carte conceptuelle pour aider à comprendre ce terrain académique complexe. Nous distinguons trois types d'entreprises multinationales (EMN) opérant en Afrique subsaharienne : les EMN avancées (originaires de pays coloniaux et non coloniaux à hauts revenus), les EMN émergentes (originaires de pays à revenus moyens à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur de la région) et les EMN naissantes (originaires de pays africains à faibles revenus). Nous montrons comment ces types distincts d'entreprises multinationales offrent des opportunités de développement différentes, comment elles s'engagent différemment avec les institutions locales, nationales, régionales et supranationales, et pourquoi cela est important pour la politique commerciale internationale. Nous montrons comment les articles présentés dans ce numéro spécial contribuent à une meilleure compréhension du commerce international en Afrique et proposons de futures orientations de recherche.Los negocios internacionales en África se complican debido a la historia colonial, la internacionalización tardía y los crecientes intereses de varios poderes extranjeros en África y sus recursos. Compartimos indicadores acerca de países africanos y ofrecemos un mapa conceptual para ayudar a encontrar el sentido a este complejo terreno académico. Hacemos una distinción entre tres tipos de compañías multinacionales ( MNEs ), por sus siglas en inglés, que operan en el África subsahariana. MNEs avanzadas (provenientes de países de ingreso alto con colonialismo previo o sin él), MNEs emergentes (provenientes de países de ingresos medios dentro y fuera de la región) y MNES nacientes (provenientes de países africanos de bajos ingresos). Demostramos cómo estos distintos tipos de MNEs ofrecen diferentes oportunidades de desarrollo, cómo se enganchan, de manera diferente, con instituciones nacionales regionales y supranacionales y por qué esto es importante para las políticas de los negocios internacionales. Demostramos cómo los artículos expuestos en este especial contribuyen a un entendimiento más profundo de los negocios internacionales en África y proponen direcciones futuras de investigación.Os negócios internacionais na África são desafiadores em função de sua história colonial, de sua internacionalização tardia e do interesse crescente de várias potências estrangeiras pela África e seus recursos. Partilhamos indicadores-chave sobre os países africanos e oferecemos um mapa conceitual para ajudar a compreender este complexo terreno acadêmico. Distinguimos entre três tipos de empresas multinacionais (EMNs) operando na África Subsaariana: EMNs avançadas (de antigos países coloniais e não coloniais de alta renda), EMNs emergentes (de países de renda média de dentro e fora da região) e EMNs nascentes (de países africanos de baixa renda). Demonstramos como esses diferentes tipos de EMNs oferecem oportunidades de desenvolvimento distintas, como elas engajam de maneiras distintas com instituições locais, nacionais, regionais e supranacionais, e por que isso é relevante para políticas de negócios internacionais. Mostramos como os artigos incluídos nessa edição especial contribuem para um entendimento mais profundo dos negócios internacionais na África e propomos direções para pesquisas futuras.https://link.springer.com/journal/422142024-11-02hj2023Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur

Corporate social responsibility in Nigeria: western mimicry or indigenous influences?

Drawing empirical evidence from indigenous firms, this study explores the meaning and practice of CSR in Nigeria. It was found that indigenous firms perceive and practise CSR as corporate philanthropy aimed at addressing socioeconomic development challenges in Nigeria. This finding suggests that CSR is a localised and socially embedded construct, as the waves’, ‘issues’ and ‘modes’ of CSR practices identified among indigenous firms in Nigeria reflect the firms’ responses to their socioeconomic context. It is anticipated that this paper will add to the body of knowledge on CSR, especially as it relates to Africa, which has a relative dearth of literature on CSR, and provide some insights to multinational firms operating in Nigeria

Different Markets for Different Folks: Exploring the Challenges of Mainstreaming Responsible Investment Practices

markets for responsible investments, corporate financial performance, Social Studies of Finance, competing market logics,