Business Performance and Governance Visual Presentation B05: Assessing the contribution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the oil and gas sector to sustainable development in Timor-Leste

Abstract

Business Performance and Governance Visual Presentation B05

Timor-Leste has reaped the benefits of its offshore oil and gas revenue for almost two decades – the result of the partnerships between the Government of Timor-Leste and oil and gas operators. To gain and maintain a social license to operate (SLO), voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices have been conducted in parallel to oil and gas extraction. Limited research that seeks to understand and demonstrate the benefits and challenges of CSR practices has previously been published. This paper aims to address this gap by examining the effectiveness of Timor-Leste CSR efforts by oil and gas operators. The research uses a qualitative multi-case design approach and semi-structured interviews to identify and understand the scope of CSR practice and its socio-economic effectiveness using a framework from the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs). The result demonstrates that CSR initiatives are socio-economically effective and benefit Timor-Leste. Conversely, CSR financial benefits are less easily assessed, and insufficient efforts concerning specific SDGs, e.g. Goal 7 for Affordable and Clean Energy. The government must strictly regulate effective local content practices.

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