Abstract
The need for critical (as distinct from corporate) social responsibility is argued by locating the consideration of CSR in the broader socio-political context in Australia. There is a close inter-relationship between societal inequality and violence in various forms and the unsustainability and social injustice of some key Australian mining operations. Several concerning examples of social harm and injustice caused by Australian mining companies are outlined. A more critically informed citizenry and stronger government regulation of the mining sector is recommended to ensure corporate social responsibility is a reality where it is most needed. Specific social pre-cautionary principles are outlined to suggest how the practice of corporate social responsibility can be strengthened.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Achbar, M., Abbott, J., & Bakan, J. (2004). The corporation [film]. London: Metrodome Distribution.
Adams, P. (2014, November 1–2). The fear card. The Weekend Australian, Australian Magazine. Brisbane.
Amnesty International (Australia). (2014). A human rights act for Australia. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.amnesty.org.au/yourhumanrights/comments/21165/
Anderson, H., & Landau, I. (2006). Corporate social responsibility in Australia: A review. Retrieved January 17, 2015, from http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buseco.monash.edu.au%2Fblt%2Fwclrg%2Fworking-paper-4.pdf&ei=YDO6VN6dLNbW8gW2sYLwCg&usg=AFQjCNFwKAt1w3AUdv2CKcuyRCUMjj--nA&sig2=iIo3Fn35RIKeC_iEG7tqdA&bvm=bv.83829542,d.dGc
Andreou, A. (2014). Trickle down economics is the greatest broken promise of our time. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jan/20/trickle-down-economics-broken-promise-richest-85
Anguelovski, I. (2008). Environmental justice concerns with transnational mining operations: Exploring the limitations of post-crisis community dialogues in Peru. In C. O’Faircheallaigh & A. Saleem (Eds.), Earth matters: Indigenous peoples, the extractive industries and corporate social responsibility (pp. 198–221). Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing.
Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS). (2014). Social security trends: Policy snapshots. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://acoss.org.au/factsheets/social_security_trends_policy_snapshot_april_2014
Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). (2007). Social justice report 2007: Chapter 3—The Northern Territory emergency response. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/social-justice-report-2007-chapter-3-northern-territory-emergency-response-intervention
Baum, F. (2014). The new public health (3rd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Berry, G. (1991). Asbestosis in former Wittenoom workers. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.docstoc.com/docs/82996874/asbestosis-in-former-Wittenoom-asbestos-workers
Bice, S. (2013). No more sunshades please: Experiences of corporate social responsibility in remote Australian mining communities. Rural Society, 22(2), 138–152.
Bloomhill, R. (2007). Corporate social responsibility: Key issues and debates (Dunstan papers series in association with Flinders University). Adelaide: Flinders University.
Briskman, L. (2013). Voyages of the damned. Social Alternatives, 32(3), 7–13.
Brown, B. (2014). Optimism: Reflections of a life of action. Richmond: Hardie Grant Books.
Brueckner, M., Durey, A., Mayes, R., & Pforr, C. (2013). The mining boom and Western Australia’s changing landscape: Towards sustainability or business as usual? Rural Society, 22(2), 111–124.
Brueckner, M., & Ross, D. (2010). Under corporate skies: A struggle between people, place and profits. Fremantle: Fremantle Press.
Burrell, A. (2013). BHP talked up Ravensthorpe mine even after it decided to close it down. The Australian Business Review. Retrieved November 16, 2014 from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/bhp-talked-up-ravensthorpe-mine-even-after-it-decided-to-close-it-down/story-e6frg9df-1226567056943
Carr, R. (2014). The hidden underclass: How Australian underemployment is concealed. Retrieved September 10, 2016, from https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/17/the-hidden-underclass-how-australian-underemployment-is-concealed
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Western Australia. (2006). Corporate social responsibility: A submission to the Australian Government Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee. Retrieved September 10, 2016, from www.camac.gov.au/camac/camac.nsf/byheadline/pdfsubmissions_2/…/cci_csr.pdf
Coultan, M. (2013). States keep billions in royalty grab. Retrieved September 10, 2016, from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/states-keep-billions-in-royalty-grab/story-fn59niix-1226739923644
Cox, E. (2014). Closing the gap: We know what works, so why don’t we do it? Retrieved and Accessed May 11, 2014, from http://theconversation.com/closing-the-gap-we-know-what-works-so-why-dont-we-do-it-23243
Department of Social Services. (2014). The national plan to reduce violence against women and their children 2010–2022. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/18/us-australia-carbon-vote-idUSKBN0FM04J20140718
Filer, C., Burton, J., & Banks, G. (2008). The fragmentation of responsibilities in the Melanesian mining sector. In C. O’Faircheallaigh & A. Saleem (Eds.), Earth matters: Indigenous peoples, the extractive industries and corporate social responsibility (pp. 104–122). Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing.
Gibson, G., & Kemp, D. (2008). Corporate engagement with Indigenous women in the minerals industry. In C. O’Faircheallaigh & A. Saleem (Eds.), Earth matters: Indigenous peoples, the extractive industries and corporate social responsibility (pp. 104–122). Sheffield: Greenleaf Publishing.
Griffith, E. (2014). What do the new anti-terrorism laws involve? Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-22/new-anti-terrorism-laws-explained/5761516
Hamilton, C., & Maddison, S. (2007). Silencing dissent: How the Australian Government is controlling public opinion and stifling debate. Crow’s Nest: Allen & Unwin.
Heinrich, L. (2013). Blue murder at Wittenoom. Retrieved November 15, 2014, from https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/blue-murder-at-wittenoom,5376
Hollinsworth, D. (2006). Race and racism in Australia (3rd ed.). South Melbourne: Thomson Social Science Press.
Jenkins, H. (2004). Corporate social responsibility and the mining industry: Conflicts and constructs. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 11, 23–24.
Kinley, D., Nolan, J., & Zerial, N. (2007). The politics of corporate social responsibility: Reflections on the United Nations human rights norms of corporations. Retrieved September 10, 2016, from sydney.edu.au/law/scil/documents/2009/SCILWP8.pdf
Kirk, A. (2014). G20 Brisbane: Shorten criticises Abbott’s ‘stubborn isolationism’ on climate change ahead of summit. Retrieved September 10, 2016, from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-14/shorten-criticises-abbott-stubborn-isolationism-climate-change/5890300
Kirsch, S. (1996). Cleaning up Ok Tedi: Settlement favours Tonggom people. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jii/4750978.0004.104/--cleaning-up-ok-tedi-settlement-favors-yonggom-people?rgn=main;view=fulltext
Lannin, S. (2014). The big end of town is accused of not paying its way. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-29/the-big-end-of-town-is-accused-of-not-paying-its/5777780
Lincoln, A. (1863). The Gettysburg address. Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm
McClelland, A., & MacDonald, F. (1998). The social consequences of unemployment. Retrieved October 16, 2014, from www.bsl.org.au/pdfs/social.pdf
McDonald, D. (2000). Violence as a public health issue (pp. 1–6). Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology.
Menyweather, N. (2014). A critical discourse analysis of equine assisted practice and implications for multispecies social work. Masters in social work confirmation proposal, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs.
Mining, Minerals & Sustainable Development (MMSD). (2002). Breaking new ground. London: Earthscan Publications.
Noonan, K. (2014). Funding refuges for ‘No Income Women’ saves lives. Retrieved January 25, 2016, from http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-funding-refuges-for-noincome-women-saves-lives/story-fnihsr9v-1226855286452
Offer, A. (2012). Self-interest, sympathy and the invisible hand: From Adam Smith to market liberalism. Retrieved December 29, 2014, from http://www.economics.ox.ac.uk/Oxford-Economic-and-Social-History-Working-Papers/self-interest-sympathy-and-the-invisible-hand-from-adam-smith-to-market-liberalism
Pash, C. (2014). The Australia China free trade agreement is being flagged as a huge win for services sector and agriculture. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.businessinsider.com.au/the-australia-china-free-trade-agreement-is-being-flagged-as-a-huge-win-for-the-services-sector-and-agriculture-2014-11
Pease, B. (2010). Undoing privilege: Unearned advantage in a divided world. London: Zed Books.
Plumwood, V. (2000). Integrating ethical frameworks for animals, humans and nature. Ethics and the Environment, 5(2), 285–322.
Queensland Government. (2013). Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment Bill 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2016, from https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/Bills/54PDF/2013/VicLawAssDisB13E.pdf
Rajca, J. (2014). Tony Abbott says new migrants must be on team Australia as he steps up war on home grown jihadists. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.news.com.au/national/tony-abbott-says-new-migrants-must-be-on-team-australia-as-he-steps-up-war-on-homegrown-jihadists/story-fncynjr2-1227027870342
Ross, D. (2009). Emphasising the social in corporate social responsibility. In S. O. Idowu & L. W. Filho (Eds.), Professional perspectives of corporate social responsibility. Heidelberg: Springer.
Ross, D. (2013). Social work and the struggle for corporate social responsibility. In M. Gray, J. Coates, & T. Hetherington (Eds.), Environmental social work. London, New York, NY: Routledge.
Ross, D. (2014). The wicked problem of mad places/spaces and people. Social Alternatives, 33(3), 3–9.
Ross, D. (2016). Corporate social responsibility initiatives in Australia’s mining industry: An applied stakeholder approach. In S. O. Idowu (Ed.), Key initiatives in corporate social responsibility. Heidelberg: Springer.
Sachs, J. (2008). Commonwealth: Economics for a crowded planet. England: Penguin.
Siegel, M. (2014). Australian parliament repeals carbon tax, emissions trading scheme. Retrieved November 16, 2014, from http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/18/us-australia-carbon-vote-idUSKBN0FM04J20140718
Tasker, S. (2014a). Vaile counts the green tide’s cost to coal and country. Retrieved September 10, 2016, from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/whitehavens-mark-vaile-counts-green-tides-cost-to-coal-and-country/news-story/fac648244f8f8b547df7cf8d56360773
Tasker, S. (2014b). Broken system a risk to jobs: Rio. Retrieved September 10, 2016, from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/broken-system-a-risk-to-jobs-rio-coal-boss/news-story/d04e8a40cfe923e569a5b2539fa97cba
Thirarungrueang, K. (2013). Rethinking CSR in Australia: Time for binding regulation? International Journal of Law and Management, 55(3), 173–200.
Torugsa, N., O’Donohue, W., & Hecker, R. (2013). Proactive CSR: An empirical analysis of the role of its economic, social and environmental dimensions on the association between capabilities and performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 115, 383–402.
Trebeck, K. (2008). Exploring the responsiveness of companies: Corporate social responsibility to stakeholders. Social Responsibility Journal, 4(3), 349–365.
Truscott, R. (2007). Corporate social responsibility: The state of play. Retrieved September 10, 2016, from eprints.qut.edu.au/14396/1/14396.pdf
Wilkinson, R. (2011). How economic inequality harms society. Retrieved August 16, 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?y=cZ7LzE3u78w
Young, I. (1990). Justice and the politics of difference. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ross, D. (2017). Dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility in Australia’s Mining Sector: A Critical Sociological Analysis. In: Aluchna, M., Idowu, S. (eds) The Dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility. CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39089-5_10
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39089-5_10
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-39088-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-39089-5
eBook Packages: Business and ManagementBusiness and Management (R0)