Danske datterselskaber og miljøpraksis – en ... - Thyge M. Nielsen

Danske datterselskaber og miljøpraksis
II
Danish affiliates and environmental conduct
– An analysis of Danish TNCs in Argentina
Thyge M. Nielsen
Institute of Geography, University of Copenhagen
Abstract
This report analyses whether Danish Transnational Corporations (TNCs) spread environmental
management practices in developing countries. Several researchers believe that most
technological and environmental improvement in developing countries today occurs via TNCs.
Danish industrial environmental practice is analysed using a case study involving Argentina.
With its industrial potential, Argentina is an ideal example of a country likely to incur severe
environmental problems.
The investigation covers the three Danish companies with production in Argentina: Arla
Foods Ingredients, Chr. Hansen, and Brødrene Hartmann. Analysis is in three parts.
Environmental practices of the TNC affiliate are compared with policies of the parent company,
the potential effects in Argentina are analysed and, finally, obstacles to communication of
environmental concerns in Argentina are examined.
The study concludes that corporate environmental policies are implemented in the TNC
affiliates, often at an equivalent level to Danish factories. The environment in Argentina benefits
directly and stakeholders adopt new attitudes. This influence is limited to stakeholders of the
Danish affiliates.
Argentinean companies of comparable size have similar environmental policies while
environmental conditions are poor for the many small and medium-sized companies. Pervasive
improvement will require alteration of fundamental political structures.
An edited version of the report is available in Spanish.
Key words: Transnational Corporations, developing countries, environmental standards,
Argentina, case study.