TY - JOUR

T1 - A three-dimensional framework to explore corporate sustainability activities in the mining industry

T2 - Current status and challenges ahead

AU - Fuisz-Kehrbach, Sonja-Katrin

PY - 2015/12/1

Y1 - 2015/12/1

N2 - This paper examines current implementation status of corporate sustainability activities (CSA) in the mining industry. Specifically, it proposes and applies a multi-dimensional framework to analyze the implementation of CSA from three different angles: 1. the types of CSA from philanthropic to entrepreneurial activities, 2. the issues addressed (e.g., health, safety, environment) and 3. the step of the value chain concerned, i.e., supply, production or product-related sustainability activities. The research adopts qualitative and quantitative content analysis of sustainability reports from 16 mining companies from major mining regions and commodities. Findings from this study illustrate a broad implementation landscape of CSA with a focus on the systematic management (type) of environmental aspects (issue) at mining operations (step of the value chain). However, there are implementation challenges ahead. Although receiving growing attention, entrepreneurial sustainability activities as well as activities beyond the direct sphere of corporate influence, such as upstream supply and downstream product-related CSA, are mentioned to a lesser degree. Adopting an organizational learning and capabilities perspective, the study discusses increased exchange across corporate functions as a means to tackle these challenges and enhance corporate capabilities in dealing with these unexplored sustainability activities in the mining industry.

AB - This paper examines current implementation status of corporate sustainability activities (CSA) in the mining industry. Specifically, it proposes and applies a multi-dimensional framework to analyze the implementation of CSA from three different angles: 1. the types of CSA from philanthropic to entrepreneurial activities, 2. the issues addressed (e.g., health, safety, environment) and 3. the step of the value chain concerned, i.e., supply, production or product-related sustainability activities. The research adopts qualitative and quantitative content analysis of sustainability reports from 16 mining companies from major mining regions and commodities. Findings from this study illustrate a broad implementation landscape of CSA with a focus on the systematic management (type) of environmental aspects (issue) at mining operations (step of the value chain). However, there are implementation challenges ahead. Although receiving growing attention, entrepreneurial sustainability activities as well as activities beyond the direct sphere of corporate influence, such as upstream supply and downstream product-related CSA, are mentioned to a lesser degree. Adopting an organizational learning and capabilities perspective, the study discusses increased exchange across corporate functions as a means to tackle these challenges and enhance corporate capabilities in dealing with these unexplored sustainability activities in the mining industry.

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - Corporate sustainability

KW - Mining industry

KW - Multi-dimensional framework

KW - Cross-functional exchange

KW - Sustainability reporting

KW - Content analysis

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84947127185&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/3dee558e-51d0-3ca0-8b5b-d3e14a0d53e6/

U2 - 10.1016/j.resourpol.2014.10.009

DO - 10.1016/j.resourpol.2014.10.009

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:84947127185

VL - 46

SP - 101

EP - 115

JO - Resources Policy

JF - Resources Policy

SN - 0301-4207

IS - 1

ER -