Abstract
This case describes Shell’s evolution within the context of sensitive human rights issues related to oil exploration and exploitation in Nigeria. Given that much of the revenue from Nigerian oil resources can be siphoned off by corrupt state governors, this case focuses on issues relevant to government transparency and corruption. It describes Shell’s involvement in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and its collaboration with the Nigerian Government to instigate a more transparent reporting on oil revenues. However, a decade ago, two senior Shell executives – one Nigerian, and one European – involved in EITI and negotiations with the government retired from the company, and had the prospect of briefing their successors on the complexity of the Nigerian situation. This brought a number of questions that still remained to be answered to the table. The questions concerned the invasive nature of corruption and its effect on human rights, but more specifically the role of a multinational versus the role of the government when trying to deal with such issues. They also concerned the complexity of sustainability issues for corporations – particularly concerning human rights issues – and issues around the scope and limits of corporate responsibility as well as the difficulties that all players face in tough market conditions and on a “non-level playing field”. In a learning context, the case develops new insights on ways of operating responsibly, creating valuable partnerships and interacting in a complex global, socially responsible, context. In an Epilogue, we ask how, in the decade since the retirement of the two executives in question, Shell has evolved in its thinking and acting concerning the Niger Delta and discover that there are still unanswered questions.
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Notes
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Detheridge, Alan, The oil industry wants to water down transparency rules – Europe must resist, The Guardian, 7 February, 2013.
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“The price of oil”. Human rights Watch, January, 1999.
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When Shell attempted to dispose of the Brent Spar in the North Sea, the NGO Greenpeace organized a worldwide, high- profile media campaign against this plan, including calls for boycotts of Shell service stations. Under enormous public pressure, Shell abandoned its disposal plans although it later transpired that this would have been the safest option, both from an environmental and a health and safety perspective.
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See www.voluntaryprinciples.org: The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights were created by governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Norway; companies in the extractive and energy sectors; and NGOs (all with an interest in human rights and corporate social responsibility) to guide companies in maintaining the safety and security of their operations within an operating framework that ensures respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
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The Grameen Bank is a microfinance organization and community development bank initiated in Bangladesh. It makes small loans (called micro-credit) to the poor to allow them to set up small businesses, e.g. weaving, pottery, storage and transportation services, without having to put up collateral. The bank also accepts deposits, provides other services, and runs several development- oriented businesses including fabric, telephone and energy companies. The organization and its founder, Muhammad Yunus, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006.
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The African Union (AU) consists of 53 African states. Its aim is to contribute to securing Africa’s democracy, human rights and sustainable economies for its members, especially by bringing an end to intra-African conflict and creating an effective common market.
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Ionescu-Somers, A.M. (2019). Revenue Flow and Human Rights: The Paradoxes of Shell in Nigeria. In: Lenssen, G.G., Smith, N.C. (eds) Managing Sustainable Business. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1144-7_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1144-7_9
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