Private enterprises and public obligations: achieving sustainable development

Article Abstract:

In March 1989, the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It was an environmental tragedy that revealed how ill prepared the nation's ports were for a major oil spill. It also had an unforeseen benefit: it helped launch a new cleanup industry, bio-remediation. The experience further underscored how central corporate responsibility has become to the country's reconciliation of its economic and environmental aspirations, especially if progress in cleaning up our air and water, which has been substantial the past quarter century, is to continue. This reconciliation lies at the heart of the concept of sustainable development. Sustainable development is not just about achieving greater efficiency in the use of energy and materials, which is important, but also envisions fundamental product innovation and the use of less materials. One dimension of the challenge of sustainable development is for government to craft incentives to foster innovation without prescribing corporate behavior. Another is to engage the developing world constructively on such critical issues as water and private investment, which can improve the lives of people, especially the poor. Without the cooperation of developing countries, it is unlikely that global environmental problems like climate change can be addressed effectively. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Environmental Management, Economic aspects, Environmental aspects, Developing countries, Sustainable development

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Business and international environmental treaties: ozone depletion and climate change

Article Abstract:

The study of business interests adds an important dimension to our understanding of the development of international environmental agreements. The contrasting role of business interests in the cases of ozone depletion and climate change is critical to explaining why climate change is a much more difficult issue for the international community to tackle. In the case of ozone depletion, industry concentration and the technological factors provided incentives for industry leaders to invest in alternative products and processes. By contrast, fossil fuel substitutes present a long-term strategic threat to the major sectors that produce and use these fuels. Where relatively few actors were involved in ozone depletion, it will be much more difficult to craft an agreement that is acceptable to the broad range of industries affected by climate change. However, business does have substantial influence over the timing and shape of international environmental agreements, even when there is considerable disunity within the business ranks. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

International aspects, Business enterprises, Environmental policy, Climatic changes, Climate change, Ozone layer depletion

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The dynamics of change in corporate community relations

Article Abstract:

This article examines the evolving role of corporate community relations in the 1990s. The corporate community relations function faces external pressures - including globalization, alliances, competition, and governmental regulation - and internal pressures - from technology, restructuring, decentralization, resource constraints, and from employees and communities. Collectively, these pressures have broadened the definition of community from that of the local headquarters to include all the various communities in which companies operate. To respond to these shifts, many community relations professionals are focusing their attention on strengthening the linkages between community relations activities and company strategy. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)

Social policy, Corporations, Community relations

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