University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

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The maintenance of the long-term social programmes by corporations is also
challenging. One example is the establishment of the special “Rosneft class” in a
Turukhansk school after the opening of the Vankor field. This was intended to be a
class where only the best students would be accepted to be prepared for future work
in the oil and gas industries. They would have special teachers and all the latest
equipment. But the local school and parent politics meant that the student-selection
process was biased, and no new teachers were hired. The company does little to
police their investment and to make sure it works as intended. (Turukhansk
Administration Official 2008; Turukhansk Environment Specialist 2008)
Conclusions
Having presented our case study evidence, we now return to our underpinning
research questions. They were:
• What is the content of Russian public CSR policy?
• To what extent and how has the Russian government driven CSR business
practice in Russia?
• What role has Russian civil society played in promoting and shaping CSR
public policy and business practice in Russia?
In conclusion we find that the content of the present Russian governmental CSR
output generally defines CSR in terms of immediate business functions such as
providing workplaces, quality products and services and fulfilling tax and other legal
obligations. It also addresses environmental concerns. It does not dwell on the nature
of interaction between the government, civil society and business. Most of the CSR
policy is formulated on the level of federal government. Provincial and district
governments are charged with enforcement of the federal policies. However, they
also engage in negotiations with the companies about their CSR activities.
Sometimes they are prepared to ignore violations such as violations of environmental
codes in exchange for help with local social programmes. In summary, the role of
the government in driving CSR in Russian companies is weak. Business itself is
consistently a step ahead in their CSR involvement. Government bases its CSR
publications on business materials. Government, however, often provides forums
where corporations can meet with their stakeholders (e.g. hearings in the Public
Chamber of Russian Federation). Its role is consultative and facilitating. Through
participating in CSR forums and roundtables, government officials also legitimise
corporate action.
With regard to the role of civil society and its impact on corporate behaviour, we find
that is also weak. Case study company reports do not indicate a high level of
interaction with, or influence by, civil society. Companies regularly provide
assistance to local communities (e.g. educational or health programmes) but are
much less likely to respond to criticism or challenges as in the case of EHES. In this
case, interaction between companies and civil society organization often happens on
corporate terms. The companies do what suit them and when it suits them.
Companies may engage in ‘black PR’ strategies by creating and supporting loyal