Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) in the form of wave, tidal and offshore wind has emerged as a potentially major component of strategies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and combat climate change. One factor influencing the implementation of MRE technologies is acceptance by people living near developments. This study investigated (i) attitudes towards MRE in small island communities as likely host communities for MRE developments; (ii) the underlying factors and values shaping these attitudes; (iii) how communities viewed MRE with regard to their place attachments; (iv) the inclusion of communities attitudes into MRE decision-making; and (v) contributions to policy and practice of MRE development. Data were collected using a mixed-methods approach, employing questionnaire surveys and interviews in three case study communities: 1) the Orkney Islands in Scotland which have considerable experience with MRE; 2) the Shetland Islands, also a Scottish community but with somewhat less experience; and 3) the Isles of Scilly, an English community with limited MRE experience. These study sites provided an opportunity to examine attitudes towards MRE in areas with different levels of MRE experience and differing government administrations and consenting procedures, thus offering novel insights into how local contexts shape attitudes towards MRE. The theoretical position adopted was place attachment, and the study made steps towards understanding how place attachment processes operate when people evaluate MRE development locally. Processes of place attachment were found to be based on a continuous flow of interactions between people and places based on an evaluation of what happens in specific local contexts and how these are valued against sets of local priorities and preferences. The study found generally positive attitudes towards MRE, and identified local context, place-based values and the perceived effects of MRE as dominant in shaping support. The study thus found two important contributors that shaped attitudes: (i) local references and influences through which people observed issues, including socio-historical references, relational factors, and pragmatic factors, and (ii) local values, through which MRE was evaluated, which were established by residents based on evaluations of local characteristics, and how they related to strategies to maintain the long-term community continuity, and whether they were considered to be a threat, and therefore, a priority for continuity or for change. Based on these factors, a heuristic model was developed to visualise how attitudes towards MRE developed based on local contexts. Although complex interplays of local factors were observed, support for MRE development was largely based on its perceived local socio-economic benefits and perceptions of minimal environmental disruption. To incorporate local attitudes into decision-making, a place-based approach instead of a technology-based approach was advocated in which community priorities becomes the first focal point of siting processes. This approach is based both on the identified importance of local context for engaging the community and on ensuring appropriate siting based on engagement processes in which communities are appropriately represented and processes are tailored to local circumstances. An added important benefit from such an approach is that it allows for the inclusion of local knowledge and expertise in MRE siting.

Magister Commercii - MCom / This literature study aims to identify international best practice concerning the role of the board and more particularly that of the independent director in ensuring good corporate governance. The study is based on sources which include a large contingent of up to date sources on the subject ranging from newspaper articles, journal articles, various corporate governance codes, company reports and reports on governance such as Cadbury and Higgs. / South Africa

The current global economic crisis, together with the general distrust and lack of confidence in business after a number of undeniable corporate scandals at board level (Hilb, 2006:3) has necessitated actions to assist business to become more transparent and to comply with corporate governance rules. Internationally, a number of actions were taken, such as the introduction of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) in the USA, the Cadbury Report in the UK and the King Report in South Africa, to mention a few. The King Report has become an internationally recognised brand as it advocated for an integrated approach to corporate governance, over and above the financial and regulatory aspects. Companies across the globe are encouraged and in some cases forced to give consideration to governance principles. In South Africa, the King Reports (King I, II and III), of which the King III Report on Governance is the latest, are no different. However, for the first time, the King III Report includes a chapter that focuses on managing stakeholder relationships as part of good corporate governance. As stakeholder relationship management (SRM) is central to the practice of communication management, Chapter 8 of the King III Report on Governance thus recognises the value that communication management can or should add in assisting businesses to comply with corporate governance rules. The problem is however that communication professionals do not always know how to implement the six principles outlined in Chapter 8 of the King III Report. Furthermore, the purpose of communication management, in particular strategic communication management, is not clear in the minds of companies’ senior management. This is often evident from the business paradigm where companies have little or no knowledge of stakeholder relationship management, and do not realise the value a well-developed communication management strategy can add in managing stakeholder relationships. It could therefore be surmised that companies and communication professionals do not know: <ul><li> To what extent the role, scope, function, structure and level of authority of communication management influence the management of stakeholder relationships and the implementation of a company’s business strategy. </li><li> What the implications of Chapter 8 of the King III Report on Governance are, with regard to the managing of stakeholder relationships for companies and their communication professionals. </li><li> What trends in communication management, affect stakeholder relationship management globally. </li><li> Which guidelines should be established for the implementation of stakeholder relationship management, according to the King III Report on Governance. </li><li> If companies would make use of a stakeholder relationship management positioning framework to position themselves in terms of their current compliance with good corporate governance rules. </li></ul> The main purpose of this research was to consider how communication professionals can assist their companies to manage stakeholder relationships according to the King III Report on Governance through obtaining a better understanding of the abovementioned questions. The study aimed to contribute to the body of knowledge and practice of communication management by: <ul><li> Theoretically and empirically determining whether a redefined business paradigm focussing on strategic communication management’s contribution to the effectiveness of the business through managing stakeholder relationship management is evident. </li><li> Considering the implications of the King III Report on Governance for companies and communication management. </li><li> Analysing the global communication management studies in an attempt to identify practices and trends that may inform the improved management of stakeholder relationships. </li><li> Empirically determining how senior communicators view stakeholder relationship management according to the King III Report on Governance in an attempt to propose guidelines for the implementation of stakeholder relationship management followed by a stakeholder relationship management positioning framework. </li></ul> Three phases guided the study, where the first phase consisted of a literature review, unpacking Chapter 8 of the King III Report on Governance and conducting an analysis of the global communication management studies in line with the Stockholm Accords. Phase II included qualitative empirical research into the views and practices of selected South African senior communicators. The last phase (Phase III) was a culmination of Phase I and Phase II, where nine (9) guidelines for the strategic management of stakeholder relationships were drafted, followed by a strategic stakeholder relationship management positioning framework against which businesses can benchmark themselves in terms of their level of compliance with corporate governance rules with the assistance of their communication management departments. The guidelines suggested in this study revolve around stakeholder relationship management being strategic and encompassing both stakeholder engagement and the governing of stakeholder relationships. Strategic stakeholder relationship management (SSRM) requires strategic integrated communication at the organisational, stakeholder and environmental levels of the organisation, and the utilisation of a strategic stakeholder relationship management and communication framework to identify, prioritise, communicate and build relationships with stakeholders. A carefully crafted communication strategy aligned with, and influencing business strategy, is needed and requires the CEO and top management to have knowledge and understanding of the considerations and challenges of stakeholders and how they can impact organisational reputation. Effective issues management and crisis communication approaches to assist in conflict resolution are necessary. The strategic, structured, disciplined and systematic management of communication throughout the organisation, as well as the communication management function/department is imperative. Strategic stakeholder relationship management is enhanced through the empowerment of the communication management function, assigning decision-making responsibility and accountability to the communication management function, and having a supportive organisational culture and structure. The proposed positioning framework affords a company the opportunity to outline where it is positioned with regard to strategic stakeholder relationship management, and it may assist a company to utilise its stakeholder relationship management strategy to gain a competitive advantage. The study added value to both companies and their communication professionals by aligning the six principles of Chapter 8 of the King III Report of Governance with the role, scope, function and authority of the communication management function. / Thesis (DCom)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Business Management / unrestricted

Organizational researchers have recently taken an interest in the ways in which social movements, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other secondary stakeholders attempt to influence corporate behavior. Scholars, however, have yet to carefully probe the link between secondary stakeholder legal action and target firm stock market performance. This is puzzling given the sharp rise in NGO-initiated civil lawsuits against corporations in recent years for alleged overseas human rights abuses and environmental misconduct. Furthermore, few studies have considered how such lawsuits impact a target firm’s intangible assets, namely its image and reputation. Structured in the form of three essays, this dissertation examined the antecedents and consequences of secondary stakeholder legal activism in both conceptual and empirical settings. Essay One argued that conventional approaches to understanding political risk fail to account for the reputational risks to multinational enterprises (MNEs) posed by transnational networks of human rights NGOs employing litigation-based strategies. It offered a new framework for understanding this emerging challenge to multinational corporate activity. Essay Two empirically tested the relationship between the filing of human rights-related civil lawsuits and corporate stock market performance using an event study methodology and regression analysis. The statistical analysis performed showed that target firms experience a significant decline in share price upon filing and that both industry and nature of the lawsuit are significantly and negatively related to shareholder wealth. Essay Three drew upon social movement and social identity theories to develop and test a set of hypotheses on how secondary stakeholder groups select their targets for human rights-related civil lawsuits. The results of a logistic regression model offered support for the proposition that MNE targets are chosen based on both interest and identity factors. The results of these essays suggest that legal action initiated by secondary stakeholder groups is a new and salient threat to multinational business and that firms doing business in countries with weak political institutions should factor this into corporate planning and take steps to mitigate their exposure to such risks.

This dissertation aims to use a system thinking approach to describe and evaluate the Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Program in British Columbia, compare it with other provincial regulated recycling programs and identify strategies on how it can be improved. The research is presented in the manuscript based format, comprised of four interrelated chapters. Following the introduction, chapter 2 describes a multiple regression analysis to assess how various factors identified by informed stakeholders have contributed to recycling rate in 14 transportation zones from 1995 to 2005. This study demonstrates that the existing recycling scheme ineffectively promotes recycling as it has achieved an average of 75% over the past 13 years with large fluctuations among transportation zones. The regression also shows that recycling rate of transportation zones are not highly influenced by LME lead prices and Transportation Incentive (which can be explained by the strong market power of the recycling plants responsible for setting up the price of scrap lead to which the collectors respond). Chapter 3 identifies key components that influence the performance of varied recycling systems based on a comparative analysis of provincial recycling systems informed by expert interviews. In chapter 4, comprehensive evaluation criteria for the lead-acid battery recycling program is developed based on objectives and performance measures elicited through an extensive stakeholder consultation process with various individuals and organizations. Fundamental objectives identified by stakeholders include: reduce environmental impacts, reduce occupational health impacts, reduce net costs, increase equity in resource consumption patterns and increase systematic learning. In chapter 5, we use multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to design and assess effective recycling strategies to meet societal objectives previously identified in the chapter 4. Recycling strategies were compiled using the results of chapter 3. The results reveals that the optimal policy for the lead-acid battery recycling system combines a return to retailer program financed through an advanced disposal fee included in the battery price in combination with increased plant or recycling capacity domestically. This research also provides relevant contributions to the refining and application of value-focused thinking and decision analysis methodologies. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of / Graduate

This diploma thesis describes the situation of CSR in the Czech Republic, by investigating CSR statements addressed to the stakeholders of the Czech firms on their websites, and comparing them to the results of a world investigation. The theoretical part involves a definition of CSR, its history and wider context of sustainable development. It also describes the grounds of stakeholder theory and stakeholder relationship management. The practical part begins with a description of the world investigation of CSR statements, and continues with other investigations about the importance of stakeholders for the firms which were conducted in the West, and in the Middle and Eastern Europe. Researches in the Czech Republic follow. Finally, the results of this diploma thesis are introduced -- the groups of stakeholders to which Czech firms address their statements and categories of these statements. As a conclusion, recommendations for the Czech firms are formulated

The objective of this dissertation is appraisal of the current status of Accenture's CSR initiatives. The theoretical part provides information that is essential for understanding CSR concept; it defines business ethics, a stakeholder theory and the triple bottom line of CSR. Furthermore, it provides a comprehensive view of the history and evolution of CSR and presents possibilities of measuring of CSR. Practical part is focused on Accenture's local and global CSR activities which are evaluated by using theoretical base from the first part of the dissertation. Part of the dissertation's appraisal includes a survey among Accenture's employees. Its results offer possible improvements to the Accenture's CSR strategy.

Current trends in participative democracy suggest that the use of stakeholder involvement in decision making will increase in the next decade and beyond. The evolution towards stakeholder involvement is driven mainly by stakeholders’ expectation to participate in decision making on issues that affect them. The current view of international radiation protection organisations is that the stakeholders have a right to participate in decision making, but the changes to the current system of radiation protection decision making will only occur slowly through build up of positive experiences and appreciation of benefits provided by stakeholder involvement.The benefits of stakeholder involvement have already been observed in decision making in issues ranging from new nuclear build to dealing with radiological emergencies, but unsuccessful stakeholder involvement programmes have also been observed. In order to integrate stakeholder involvement further into radiation protection decision making it is important to incorporate and implement lessons learnt from both successful and unsuccessful stakeholder programmes, and understand when stakeholder involvement can be applied. My research into clearance of low radioactivity materials shows that stakeholder involvement can be applied in planned exposure situations as defined by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Involvement of stakeholders in planned exposure situation decision making should, however, be limited to issues with high level of reputation risk or wide ranging impacts of multiple stakeholder groups.To assess whether stakeholder involvement can be applied in the other exposure situations defined by the ICRP as emergency and existing exposure situations, the other part of my research focused on radiological emergencies. The research demonstrated that stakeholder aided decision making already has a place in solving cooperative problems of emergency management, but there is still further scope to apply stakeholder involvement in coordination of emergency management. The research shows that there is scope to integrate stakeholder involvement further into radiation protection decision making, but this must be done in a planned and organised manner.

The world is facing a 'perfect storm' of socio-ecological crises: adverse climate change, natural resource depletion, water conflict, to name but a few. With many of these future pressures looming, it is essential to learn how to shift from traditional command-and-control strategies to more adaptive ones. Adaptive governance is an approach from institutional theory that combines ecological systems theory, natural resource management and the study of self-governing institutions to manage common pool resources. The Dark Peak of the Peak District National Park is one of the UK’s largest carbon stores, fraught with a history of frequent change in policies and land management activities, conflicting knowledges and interests, convoluted property rights regimes, and carbon emissions. The recent development of a carbon agenda made it an excellent example to explore how this restructures the Dark Peak social network, how its key stakeholders adopt and respond to it, and finally how an adaptive framework can facilitate in mitigating carbon emissions. This thesis offers the first analysis of the Dark Peak’s social network managing for a carbon agenda, and also provides a critical reflection on the possibilities and limitations of using an adaptive framework in this particular context. This has been achieved by combining social network analysis, with stakeholder mapping, observation, and semi-structured interviews to identify the key stakeholders steering the Dark Peak’s carbon agenda.

This thesis is focused on the issue of tourism planning within the context of sustainable competitive advantage which can be reached by an engagement of regional stakeholders into the phase of strategy implementation. Its aim is to evaluate cooperation between regional destination management organization and destination's stakeholders during the implementation process of strategic priorities defined in the Tourism Development Strategy in the South Bohemia Region. The thesis utilizes information from representatives of the destination management organization and regional stakeholders to be able to realize so-called Stakeholder analysis. It analyses the destination stakeholders from the point of view of free key attributes. It also pays its attention to the forms of their involvement in the planning of tourism development and their experience with this process. On this basis it formulates the basis for future actions which should lead to an improvement of the current state of cooperation with key regional stakeholders.