Title: A new species of global corporate risk: social issues, international firm expansion theory and crisis avoidance in the energy industry

Authors: David Allwright, Harrie Vredenburg

Addresses: Bissett School of Business, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, Alberta T3E 6K6, Canada. ' Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada

Abstract: International joint venture (IJV) agreements have long been regarded as the preferred method for risk mitigation for firms seeking to expand internationally. However, these agreements often fail to deliver on their promise of risk reduction, resulting in those firms managing conflicts and drawing the firm into a resource threatening crisis. The premise of this paper is that crisis management starts with a good risk reduction strategy. The authors examine two resource extraction firms engaged in an international expansion and how the traditional vehicle for risk reduction (IJVs) failed to avert a crisis that threatened those two firms.

Keywords: global corporate risk; international joint ventures; risk mitigation; social issues; firm expansion; crisis avoidance; energy industry; conflict management; natural resources; mineral extraction; NGOs; non-governmental organisations; environmental factors; environment; Suncor; Calgary; Alberta; Canada; Queensland; Australia; Stuart Oil Shale Development Project; Southern Pacific Petroleum; Brisbane; Greenpeace; Talisman Energy; Sudan; Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company; development consortiums; China National Petroleum Corporation; Petronas; Malaysia; Sudapet; Muglad basin; pension funds; crisis management; emergency management; sustainable strategic management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSM.2010.032165

International Journal of Sustainable Strategic Management, 2010 Vol.2 No.1, pp.74 - 89

Published online: 11 Mar 2010 *

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