Guides
index
INCORE
Thematic Guide to sources on Business and Conflict.
Version
1/02, August 2002, compiled by Scott
H. Baker
Introduction
Although the relationship between economics,
politics and sociology has been examined for some time, the role of
economics in societal reconstruction is a relatively new field. Within
this field, the more specific role of businesses in conflict societies
is in even more nascent stages of research. Furthermore, inquiries
into the relationship between humanitarian organisations, businesses
and societies in conflict has only just begun, despite the fact that
both groups have been involved in areas of conflict for quite some
time. Few comprehensive resources are available for researchers interested
in pursuing various aspects of the relationship between businesses
and societies in conflict.
This Thematic Guide is intended to aid the researcher of this important
and evolving field, by providing relevant and substantive information
currently available on the Internet. Inclusion in this Guide does
not imply an endorsement by INCORE of views expressed in any of these
sources, nor does INCORE claim this Thematic Guide to be all encompassing
in its scale and scope. If you have a complaint about this guide,
or believe that we have omitted a relevant source of information,
please read our information about the Thematic
Guides before writing to us. You may find that this will answer
some of your questions. This includes a warning about the type of
information included in the guide, information about our ‘criteria
for inclusion’ and about our ‘updating and additions policy.’
Any inquiries should be sent to incore@incore.ulst.ac.uk.
Contents
Inclusion in
this guide does not imply an endorsement by INCORE of the views expressed
in any of these sources.
- Prime
sources (A select list drawn from the categories below)
-
- News
Sources
- Institutions
Publications
- Non
Governmental Organisations
-
- Various
sources
-
Prime
sources
This list does not imply a recommendation of the sources or an endorsement
of the views expressed in any of these sources. It is a select list
drawn from the other categories in this document.
- International
Alert
IA is a non-profit that is directly involved in conflict resolution
and humanitarian relief efforts. One of IA’s Policy Units
deals specifically with the role of business in conflict societies.
This unit provides valuable background information, case studies,
tools for businesses, and some publications.
- Business
Policy Unit
This
is IA’s Business and Conflict Unit, which contains valuable
information as well as links to their projects and publications.
- IA's
Links
- Publications
This area of IA’s site lists publications on the general
role of business in conflict resolution and peace building,
development in conflict societies, and country-specific reports.
With the help of IA, Jane Nelson has published an excellent
report entitled “The Business of Peace” which is
available to order from their website; however an executive
summary is available:
- International
Business Leaders Forum
The Prince of Wales’ IBLF is a non-profit which strives
to promote responsible business practices, especially in assisting
new and emerging market economies achieve social, economic and environmentally
sustainable development. IBLF’s site is a very extensive one
that includes their Corporate Social Responsibility form (CSR) for
ethical business practices in new and emerging societies. While
the focus of IBLF is not necessarily on business practices in conflict
societies, they do have a wealth of information pertaining to better
business practices. Of particular note:
- Corporate
Social Responsibility by Theme
CSR lists information and resources based on several themes.
Pertinent to business in conflict are there themes on Human
Rights, Economic Development, and Human Disaster Relief.
- Conflict
and Security Resource Center
Of particular interest to business in conflict is IBLF’s
Conflict and Security Resource Center, done in partnership with
International Alert. The CSRC contains valuable information
on the issue of business in conflict, as well as several case
studies in Northern Ireland, the Philippines, Nigeria and South
Africa.
- United
Nations-Business Partnership
This is a comprehensive site from the UN covering many aspects its
relationship with business. The main purpose of the site is to provide
links to the many organisations concerned with the role of business
in development, but it also contains statements, fact sheets and
statistics, news releases, publications, associations and case studies.
Of special interest to the role of business in conflict:
- United
Nationās Global Compact
This initiative launched in 1999 by the United Nations urges transnational
corporations (TNCs) to operate in a socially responsible manner,
including efforts by corporations to promote and protect human rights
in their business operations and other areas of influence. Of particular
interest to researchers of business in conflict societies:
- Nine
Principles of the Global Compact
These are the main principles of the Compact that the international
business community is asked to practice (or at the minimum,
consider). Principle 2 is of particular interest, which calls
for corporate responsibility in avoidance of human rights violations.
News
Sources
- Business
and Human Rights Resource
Provides news releases and links to issues involving security/conflict
and business. More information about this site is listed within
this Guide under “Other Sources.”
- Earth
Times
An international newspaper published by the non-profit International
Media Foundation, Earth Times publishes articles and reports on
economic, humanitarian and social issues. Articles related to the
role of business in conflict periodically appear in the “Business
& Investing” and “Sustainability” sections.
Earth Times also has a section on Conflict Resolution, but it was
not functioning at the time of this publication.
- Global
Witness
This non-profit organisation strives to expose environmental exploitation
and human rights abuses, including funding of conflicts. The Press
Releases link in this section provides access to news articles,
while more information about GW may be found within this website
under the NGO section.
- Human
Rights Watch
This link has press releases posted by HRW pertaining to the
issue of corporations and human rights. More information may be
found within this site under HRW in the NGO section.
- International
Business Leaders Forum News Archive
This site has news briefs and links updated on a monthly basis.
More information about the IBLF may be found within this site in
the NGO section.
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of page
Publications
- Journals
- Business
Ethnics Report
This is the website for Business Ethics magazine, a publication
sponsored by corporations concerned with corporate social responsibility.
The website contains links to cover stories, articles, books,
conferences and other ‘like-minded’ organisations.
Subscription to an email newsletter is also available.
- Business
in the Community
BITC is an organisation of UK companies concerned with corporate
social responsibility, and they provide a free subscription
newsletter.
- Business
for Social Responsibility
An online magazine geared towards businesses and managers concerned
with corporate social responsibility. The site contains a search
engine to access back-issued articles, while membership allows
for further access to resources.
- Track
Two
A quarterly publication from the Centre for Conflict Resolution
at the University of Cape Town, this online journal has several
articles related to business in conflict societies.
- Articles/Reports
- Business
and War
Jakkie Cilliers of the Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria,
South Africa, wrote this article published in African Security
Review, Vol. 10, No. 3, 2001. In it, the author highlights the
dilemmas facing multinational corporations doing business in
conflict areas, and argues that cooperation between international
organisations and corporations is necessary in order to ensure
best practices. The author also argues that few countries deserve
this ‘dual approach more than Angola.’
- Business
as Peacemaker: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty & Conflict
This article written by Karen Hayes was chosen by Ashridge Business
School as its 2001 essay award winner. While the article contains
relatively little in terms of recommendations or tangible guidelines
for business investment in conflict societies, it does provide
a sound argument for responsible business investment as a necessary
element in breaking the “poverty cycle” in the rebuilding
of conflict-torn societies. The author provides mini-case studies
on Kosovo and Rwanda, and argues that humanitarian organisations
and businesses need one another despite ideological or pragmatic
rifts.
- The
Business of Peace
A report by Jane Nelson published in 2000, in conjunction with
International Alert, the Council on Economic Priorities and
the Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum. The author provides
a very comprehensive report illustrating the case for business
engagement in conflict zones, as well as outlining principles
for ensuring minimization of negative impact and maximization
of positive impact. Although the work must be ordered, a helpful
“Executive Summary” can be downloaded.
- Business
in Zones of Conflict: The Role of the Multinational in Promoting
Regional Stability
In a report written for International Peace Forum (see above)
and presented at the UN Global Compact Policy Dialogues in 2002,
Juliette Bennett provides excellent mini-case studies of the
oil, diamond and financial sectors. The author argues that the
international business community “will increasingly find
itself confronted with the challenge of promoting peacebuilding”
and must increasingly be concerned with proper practice of conflict
resolution.
- Business
Investment in Conflict-Torn Regions
This is a speech delivered in December 2000, by Ambassador John
J. Maresca, president of the non-profit Business-Humanitarian
Forum Association. In it, Maresca stresses the critical,
and mutually-dependent, relationship between humanitarian organisations
and businesses in assisting societies in conflict.
- Business:
Why Do Private Companies Have A Role In Conflict Prevention?
This article written by Robert Davies was a precursor to the
CEP/IBLF/IA/IPF report on the “Business of Peace”
(see under Articles or International Alert under NGO’s).
The article lists five reasons why private companies should
become more involved in conflict prevention, and lists six principles
for best practice when doing so.
- By
How Much Does Conflict Reduce Financial Development?
In a discussion paper written for the United Nations University
World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU/WIDER),
Tony Addison, Abdur R. Chowdhury and S. Mansoob Murshed argue
that the impacts of conflict on society are indeed negative,
and that the best approach for reconstruction is business investment
coordinated with conflict resolution.
- Civic
Communities and Predatory Societies
A paper delivered by Larry Diamond to the conference “Culture
Matters: A Forum for Business, Education and Training Professionals”
at the Intercultural Management Institute, American University,
Washington D.C. 10 May 2001. While the focus of the paper is
not specifically on the role of business in conflict resolution,
it provides a very good background on the difference between
a “civic” and a “predatory” community;
where responsible business investment would undoubtedly help
the latter transition into the former.
- Conflicting
Interests
In this 2001 article by Jason Switzer, written for the Environment
Council’s business periodical, the author stresses the
importance of “proactive investment” in conflict
resolution as a more cost-efficient, and effective, measure.
- Corporate
Options for Breaking Cycles of Conflict
This 2001 article written by Mary B. Anderson and Luc Zandvliet
for the Corporate Engagement Project of the Collaborative for
Development Action (see under NGO’s below) provides suggestions
for corporations involved (or considering involvement) in conflict
areas; both in how to lower risks/costs and ‘demonstrate
wider corporate responsibility’ towards the communities.
- Economic
Agendas in Armed Conflict: Background Paper
Prepared by the International Peace Academy and the Norwegian
Institute for Applied Social Science (see more under “Institutions”
within this Guide), this paper was given at the March 2002 symposium
aimed at providing key issues for the UN to consider on the
relationship between the private sector and armed conflicts.
- Peace
by Piece
Uri Savir, Israel’s chief negotiator in the Oslo Process,
wrote this 1999 article published online by World Link. In it,
the author contends that political peace initiatives are not
adequately supported by socio-economic benefits, and that long-term
economic investment/development is absolutely essential in the
peacebuilding process.
- The
Role of the World Bank in Conflict-Affected Areas
This 2001 article by Maurizio Ragazzi argues that while the
role of the World Bank (IBRD) in conflict-affected areas is
not new, there are a host of new legal challenges to the World
Bank’s engagement in such areas.
- Triad
in Crises
In this discussion paper, Scott H. Baker calls for an examination
of the important relationships between the triad of intervention
organisations, the international business community, and societies
in conflict. The author argues that although the role of business
in conflict-torn societies is garnering needed attention, more
research on the oft-distrustful relationship between businesses
and intervention organisations is required. Moreover, given
the importance of these two groups to conflict-torn societies,
an increase in their collaboration would benefit all.
- The
United Nations and Business: A Partnership Recovered
This link provides key excerpts from Sandrine Tesner’s
book (St. Martin’s Press, 2000), which discusses the critical
role corporations can provide in the development of underdeveloped
and post-conflict societies as long as the adhered to norms
of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
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Institutions
- Department
for International Development (DfID)
Set up in 1997, DfID is the UK government’s department charged
with promoting development and reducing poverty in the world. Although
much of DfID’s work focuses on humanitarian crises and sustainable
development, some information relevant to business and conflict
may be found here:
- Harvard
University
The Harvard School of Public Health’s Program on Humanitarian
Policy and Conflicts has begun a major research ‘portal’
on the role of economics in conflicts. While the project is still
in the development stages, it does provide a good introduction to
their research goals of assessing economic impact in conflict zones,
with examples of Shell’s past operations in Africa.
- International
Labour Organisation Database
This is an online database on Business and Social Initiatives provided
by the ILO. Searches may be conducted by ILO topic, industry and/or
country.
- London
School of Economics (LSE)
LSE’s
Center for the study of Global Governance (CsGG) maintains an on-going
research project on “Oil and Conflict,” which includes
a summary, description and bibliography of the project.
- Norwegian
Institute for Applied Social Sciences
The Institute’s Programme for International Co-operation and
Conflict Resolution (PICCR) is conducting a project on researching
the impact of private sector activities in the instigation and maintenance
of armed conflicts. The project includes several articles, reports
and links relevant to business and conflict:
- United
Nations-Business Partnership
This is a comprehensive site from the UN covering many aspects its
relationship with business. The main purpose of the site is to provide
links to the many organisations concerned with the role of business
in development, but it also contains statements, fact sheets and
statistics, news releases, publications, associations and case studies.
Of special interest to the role of business in conflict:
- United
Nationās Global Compact
This initiative launched in 1999 by the United Nations urges transnational
corporations (TNCs) to operate in a socially responsible manner,
including efforts by corporations to promote and protect human rights
in their business operations and other areas of influence. Of particular
interest to researchers of business in conflict societies:
- Nine
Principles of the Global Compact
These are the main principles of the Compact that the international
business community is asked to practice (or at the minimum,
consider). Principle 2 is of particular interest, which calls
for corporate responsibility in avoidance of human rights violations.
- World
Bank
This institution is comprised of several units, with the International
Bank for Reconstruction & Development (IBRD) being one the largest.
While a search through the World Bank’s archives will produce
some useful information pertaining to the role of business in conflict,
the information listed below will be especially relevant:
- World
Bank Conflict Prevention & Reconstruction Unit
This unit of the World Bank is concerned with the evolving role
of the Bank’s involvement in conflict-torn areas. Since
1997, the Bank has issued a formal policy for such involvement,
and is continually adapting policies as necessary. This site
contains official policies, reports and links to other agencies.
Of special interest to business in conflict:
- Development
Cooperation & Conflict
These are the official new guidelines developed by the Bank
for their increasing role in conflict.
- Transition
from War to Peace
This is a large report containing guidelines for the Bank’s
involvement in economic measures throughout the development
process in conflict societies. Especially relevant sections
are:
- World
Bank/UK DFID Project on Business Partnerships for Development
Business Partners for Development (BPD) was created to study,
support and promote strategic examples of partnerships involving
business, government and civil society working together, with
the World Bank Group as an equal partner, for the development
of communities around the world. This organisation deals mainly
with post-conflict societies, but specific units of interest
may be:
- World
Institute for Development Economics Research (WIDER)
A program affiliated with the United Nations University. Although
WIDER’s research and policy analysis is largely geared towards
‘structural changes affecting the world’s poorest people,’
it is worth a visit for researchers of business and conflict:
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Non-Governmental
Organisations
- Business-Humanitarian
Forum
This non-profit organisation seeks to assist businesses with responsible
investment in conflict societies, as well as promoting cooperation
between humanitarian agencies and corporations. Some of BHF’s
work that is particularly salient:
- Business-Humanitarian
Concept
This publication outlines the BHF’s concept of mutually
beneficial cooperation between businesses and humanitarian organisations.
- BHF
Reports and Publications
A list of BHF’s reports, publications, and articles
on the role of business in conflict, with a focus on the benefit
of cooperation between humanitarian organisations and businesses.
- Business
in the Community
BiTC is an organisation of several hundred UK corporations (many
are transnational) whose mission is to advise its members on best
practices towards corporate social responsibility. This site contains
information on case studies, business impact, and corporate reporting,
as well as a search engine and free subscription to their newsletter.
- Centre
for Conflict Resolution
This organisation, affiliated with the University of Cape Town,
works for ‘just and lasting peaceful resolution’ to
conflicts in South Africa, as well as other African nations. CCR
has some publications
on the role of business in conflict in the African continent.
- Collaborative
for Development Action
CDA is a ‘project driven and grant funded’ consulting
firm that works with humanitarian assistance programs and organisations.
Of special interest to researchers of business in conflict:
- Corporate
Engagement Project
The Corporate Engagement Project intends to assist managers
of multinational corporations in understanding the socio-political
impact of their involvement in societies. They have a few publications
under this project, most notably:
- Corporate
Options for Breaking Cycles of Conflict
This 2001 article written by Mary B. Anderson and Luc Zandvliet
provides suggestions for corporations involved (or considering
involvement) in conflict areas; both in how to lower risks/costs
and ‘demonstrate wider corporate responsibility’
towards the communities.
- Fund
for Peace
FfP is an organisation dedicated to the ‘prevention and alleviation’
of conditions that cause war. While the primary focus of the organisation
is conflict prevention and resolution, of special interest to the
role of business in conflict is:
- Human
Rights and Business Roundtable
The Roundtable is a forum initiated by FfP to allow multinational
corporations and human rights organisations a venue for dialogue.
See below for their statement of principles:
- Global
Witness
This non-profit organisation strives to expose environmental exploitation
and human rights abuses, particularly where unregulated extraction
of natural resources such as timber, diamonds and oil have a negative
impact on locals, especially when used to fund conflict itself.
Their site contains information organized by industry or by countries
where GW has a campaign.
- Human
Rights Watch-Corporate Watch
The link above provides information, including commentaries, press
releases, publications, and reports on the issue of transnational
corporations and human rights from the multi-faceted non-profit
organization HRW. Of special note are the world reports on the role
of Business and Human Rights:
- Institute
for Multi-Track Diplomacy
IMTD is an organisation which strives ‘to promote a systems
approach to peacebuilding and to facilitate the transformation of
deep-rooted social conflict,’ with one of the main approaches
involving business and peacebuilding:
- International
Alert
IA is a non-profit that is directly involved in conflict resolution
and humanitarian relief efforts. One of IA’s Policy Units
deals specifically with the role of business in conflict societies.
This unit provides valuable background information, case studies,
tools for businesses, and some publications.
- Business
Policy Unit
This
is IA’s Business and Conflict Unit, which contains valuable
information as well as links to their projects and publications.
- IA's
Links
- Publications
This area of IA’s site lists publications on the general
role of business in conflict resolution and peace building,
development in conflict societies, and country-specific reports.
With the help of IA, Jane Nelson has published an excellent
report entitled “The Business of Peace” which is
available to order from their website; however an executive
summary is available:
- International
Business Leaders Forum
The Prince of Wales’ IBLF is a non-profit which strives
to promote responsible business practices, especially in assisting
new and emerging market economies achieve social, economic and environmentally
sustainable development. IBLF’s site is a very extensive one
that includes their Corporate Social Responsibility form (CSR) for
ethical business practices in new and emerging societies. While
the focus of IBLF is not necessarily on business practices in conflict
societies, they do have a wealth of information pertaining to better
business practices. Of particular note:
- Corporate
Social Responsibility by Theme
CSR lists information and resources based on several themes.
Pertinent to business in conflict are there themes on Human
Rights, Economic Development, and Human Disaster Relief.
- Conflict
and Security Resource Center
Of particular interest to business in conflict is IBLF’s
Conflict and Security Resource Center, done in partnership with
International Alert. The CSRC contains valuable information
on the issue of business in conflict, as well as several case
studies in Northern Ireland, the Philippines, Nigeria and South
Africa.
- International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The ICRC has begun specialised research into the role of business
in conflict areas, and the relationship of transnational corporations
and humanitarian organisations. Of particular interest to researchers
of business and conflict:
- International
Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
The IISD is an organisation that counsels governments, academics
and NGO’s on sustainable development strategies. The link
provided is for their Environment, Business and Conflict department,
which provides access to their publications as well as further links
to other organisations.
- International
Peace Forum
IPF is a consulting group that focuses on conflict prevention and
resolution. Of particular interest is their work on the role of
business in peacebuilding, and they contributed to the “Business
of Peace” report with IA and IBLF (see International Alert
above). Some articles related to business in conflict may be found
in their newsletter:
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Various
Sources
- Business
& Human Rights Resource Website
This ‘online library’ maintained by Christopher Avery
and Sarah Wykes provides an excellent array of links related to
business and human rights issues. Information is provided by the
UN, ILO, corporations, academics, journalists and humanitarian organisations,
and is subdivided by topic, country, region or organisation. Of
particular note to researchers of business and conflict:
- Principles
& Standards
Provides reports, information and links to the principles and
standards for business and human rights by organisation/corporation.
- Security
& Conflict Zones
Provides reports, information and links to issues involving
security/conflict and business, including recent articles and
news releases.
- Corporate
Social Responsibility Europe Database
On online database and search engine, which allows a search
based on subjects or by keyword.
- Economist
Country Guides
The Economist magazine has an excellent site with country guide
listings, some of which contain articles and information on investments
in the local economies of societies in conflict.
- Fund
for Peace Organisation Listing
FfP has a listing of various organisations involved with humanitarian
and human rights issues, including links to business and development
agencies.
- International
Chamber of Commerce
The ICC publishes a list of multinational corporations that
are attempting to comply with the UN’s Global Compact, with
examples provided by the corporations themselves:
- International
Global Communications
IGC is an online network connecting hundreds of agencies involved
in humanitarian and development issues.
- LSE's
Global Dimensions
While the primary focus of this research program at the London School
of Economics focuses on issues of globalization, they do have some
articles that may be of interest as well as a search engine and
discussion thread:
- World
Trade Organisationās Directory of Development Agencies
A fairly comprehensive listing of NGO’s concerned with development
and economic issues.
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