MINING AND DEVELOPMENT IN THAILAND
The key actors who promote social responsibility among mining MNCs in Thailand include the Thai Ministry of Industry, MNCs and local and international NGOs. The literature from Thai governance and international business sources show 7 aspects of contribution by mining MNCs in Thailand.
The
data from existing literature raise a number of interesting issues in terms of
the contributions from mining MNCs in Thailand. As a hub for foreign direct
investment in the region, Thailand attracts a high number of MNCs and
consequently, exhibits higher penetration of CSR activities.
They include (1) environment (pollution and global warming
prevention, sustainable consumption and land use, preservation and restoration
of ecosystems and the natural environment, respect for future generation), (2) human
rights (civil and political rights, economics, cultural and social rights, fundamental
labor rights, community rights), (3) labour standards (occupational health and
safety, working conditions, human resources development, worker as a human
being), (4) organisational governance (inclusiveness, ethical conduct, disclosure
of information, respect for rule of law, accountability), (5) fair business practices
(promotion of ethical and transparent activities, promotion of free
composition, application of fair and ethical supply and after-supply practice,
intellectual and property rights, anti-corruption), (6) community involvement/ social
development (development impacts, community involvement, philanthropy), and (7)
consumer issues (providing consumer with accurate and adequate information,
Provision and development of socially-beneficial services and products, provision
and development of safe and reliable products and services, protection of
consumers’ privacy). One interesting point from the literature is the focus on
‘transparency’ in actions of mining MNCs. It is confirmed that CSR activities
can be easily achieved when transparency is witnessed and practiced by all key
stakeholders.
The
key issue from mining industry includes the fact that it involves a number of
environmental issues. Three mining MNCs, that we examined their annual reports,
focus on ‘sustainability’ concept in the CSR actions. Strategies that lead to sustainability
concept include health and safety of the workers, fair and rewarding work
relationships and a healthy living environment. Although it is complex to achieve the sustainability
concept, the literature in international business (i.e. Esteves and Barcly,
2011; Pimpa, 2013) argue that approaches in relationship management among stakeholders
in mining industry in Thailand is very crucial. Multi-stakeholder participation can enhance the
quality of relationship and contributions by mining MNCs in Thailand in various
forms. When participations among different stakeholders take place, key
community’s demands will be discussed and mining MNCs can eventually response
to the community needs, which may go beyond MNCs’ centralization approach in
development.
The key actors who promote social responsibility among mining MNCs in Thailand include the Thai Ministry of Industry, MNCs and local and international NGOs. The literature from Thai governance and international business sources show 7 aspects of contribution by mining MNCs in Thailand.
The
data from existing literature raise a number of interesting issues in terms of
the contributions from mining MNCs in Thailand. As a hub for foreign direct
investment in the region, Thailand attracts a high number of MNCs and
consequently, exhibits higher penetration of CSR activities.
They include (1) environment (pollution and global warming
prevention, sustainable consumption and land use, preservation and restoration
of ecosystems and the natural environment, respect for future generation), (2) human
rights (civil and political rights, economics, cultural and social rights, fundamental
labor rights, community rights), (3) labour standards (occupational health and
safety, working conditions, human resources development, worker as a human
being), (4) organisational governance (inclusiveness, ethical conduct, disclosure
of information, respect for rule of law, accountability), (5) fair business practices
(promotion of ethical and transparent activities, promotion of free
composition, application of fair and ethical supply and after-supply practice,
intellectual and property rights, anti-corruption), (6) community involvement/ social
development (development impacts, community involvement, philanthropy), and (7)
consumer issues (providing consumer with accurate and adequate information,
Provision and development of socially-beneficial services and products, provision
and development of safe and reliable products and services, protection of
consumers’ privacy). One interesting point from the literature is the focus on
‘transparency’ in actions of mining MNCs. It is confirmed that CSR activities
can be easily achieved when transparency is witnessed and practiced by all key
stakeholders.
The
key issue from mining industry includes the fact that it involves a number of
environmental issues. Three mining MNCs, that we examined their annual reports,
focus on ‘sustainability’ concept in the CSR actions. Strategies that lead to sustainability
concept include health and safety of the workers, fair and rewarding work
relationships and a healthy living environment. Although it is complex to achieve the sustainability
concept, the literature in international business (i.e. Esteves and Barcly,
2011; Pimpa, 2013) argue that approaches in relationship management among stakeholders
in mining industry in Thailand is very crucial. Multi-stakeholder participation can enhance the
quality of relationship and contributions by mining MNCs in Thailand in various
forms. When participations among different stakeholders take place, key
community’s demands will be discussed and mining MNCs can eventually response
to the community needs, which may go beyond MNCs’ centralization approach in
development.
