Tangelic Talks – Episode 07
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Global South: Insights from Dr. Nathan Andrews
9 minutes to read
In our insightful conversation with Dr. Nathan Andrews, we explored the complex role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Global South, particularly in the context of extractive industries. Dr. Andrews highlighted that while CSR practices, like development foundations, can provide benefits to local communities, they often reinforce the corporation’s dominant role in development. He discussed how these foundations, funded by corporate profits, may create a dependency on corporations and may not always align with the actual needs of communities.
Defining CSR in the Global South
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) refers to the obligations corporations have toward the communities in which they operate. While legal responsibility ensures companies pay taxes and royalties, CSR extends beyond the law to address societal expectations such as infrastructure development, education, and environmental stewardship.
“CSR is about the beyond-law expectations of corporate activities on the ground,” Dr. Andrews explains. However, he warns that CSR is often a “discursive alibi”—a narrative corporations use to legitimize their presence rather than enact real change.
The Reality of CSR vs. The Promise
Dr. Andrews’ research highlights a troubling disparity between what corporations claim to do and what actually occurs in communities. Companies often publish glowing sustainability reports emphasizing their community investments, but on the ground, the impact is far less significant.
For example, in Ghana’s mining sector, CSR initiatives frequently include scholarships, road construction, and small-scale water projects. However, these developments often serve corporate interests just as much as local communities—if not more. “They build roads, but they need those roads for their own operations,” Andrews notes.
Controlling the CSR Narrative
CSR can also serve as a tool for corporations to control the narrative around their activities. By showcasing select community projects, companies maintain an image of responsibility, even if underlying social and environmental issues remain unaddressed.
“CSR allows corporations to define what responsibility looks like, limiting accountability while maintaining legitimacy,” Dr. Andrews explains.
Grassroots Resistance and Government Involvement
Despite limited large-scale protests in Ghana compared to Latin America, grassroots advocacy remains active. Local communities attempt to hold corporations accountable through media pressure, informal negotiations, and community-based legal actions. However, corporate influence over governments often complicates these efforts.
Dr. Andrews highlights a recent example where the Ghanaian military protected a mining concession by force, leading to civilian casualties. “Governments often side with corporations over their own people, prioritizing investment and economic interests over local welfare.”
Gendered Perspectives on CSR
Women in mining communities face distinct challenges. Compensation from CSR initiatives often goes to male landowners, leaving women, who bear the brunt of environmental degradation and economic instability, without direct benefits. Dr. Andrews argues that merely increasing female representation in corporate boardrooms does not translate into meaningful improvements for women on the ground.
“CSR must incorporate gender-sensitive approaches that recognize and address the specific needs of marginalized groups,” he stresses.
Rethinking CSR: Reform or Abandon?
Dr. Andrews proposes two paths forward:
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Reforming CSR: Shifting toward community-driven approaches where CSR initiatives align with local needs and priorities. Instead of top-down decision-making, corporations should engage with communities in a meaningful way.
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Moving Beyond CSR: If CSR remains a corporate-driven tool with limited impact, then greater responsibility should fall on governments and local institutions to drive sustainable development.
“If corporations truly want to support sustainable development, they must be willing to relinquish some control and let communities take the lead,” Dr. Andrews concludes.
Thought Provoking Q&A Session with Dr. Nathan Andrews
Dr. Nathan Andrews
Associate Professor at McMaster University, Humboldt Research Fellow at GIGA, and Author.
Dr. Nathan Andrews is an Associate Professor of International Relations at McMaster University, having joined the Department of Political Science in January 2022. Prior to his position at McMaster, he worked in the Department of Global and International Studies at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), where he was awarded the University Excellence in Research Award in May 2019. Dr. Andrews’ research primarily focuses on the international political economy and ecology of natural resource extraction and development. He also explores topics related to foreign aid, non-Western and critical International Relations perspectives, research methods, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. A particular area of interest is examining the politics of knowledge production and epistemic imperialism in higher education. Dr. Andrews occasionally engages in part-time consulting opportunities that align with his research interests. His career goal is to influence societal change and contribute valuable insights to debates within his areas of research and practice.