Workshop on CSR in the International Shipping Industry

(Photo by Scanpix/Iris)
 

Over two sunny days in May, an international group of academics with an interest in CSR and global shipping met at CBS for an intensive workshop, to discuss papers for a special issue of the Journal of Sustainable Mobility. The workshop was organized in two tracks devoted to Environmental Sustainability Challenges and Social Sustainability Challenges, respectively.

During the last decade, shipping companies the world over have embarked on extensive Corporate Social Responsibility programs. The workshop participants discussed the potential and limitations of these approaches, focusing on the possible competitive advantages shipping companies might derive for Corporate Social Responsibility, as well as the beneficial societal outcomes in terms of environmental upgrading and improved social conditions.

- It was great to be part of the workshop. We had brought some of the leading international authors on CSR in the shipping industry together here at CBS. To the best of my knowledge, the upcoming special issue will be first of its kind to look at how the shipping industry addresses CSR concerns at the international level. It is exciting to be part of such a pioneering team of scholars, says Peter Lund-Thomsen, Associate Professor at CBS.

At the workshop, Martin Benderson, who is an associate of BSR’s Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, gave a presentation. He explained how shipping companies and their seafarers experience pressures from corrupt practices in ports and canals around the world, often meeting local expectations for facilitation payments. Martin Benderson explained the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network’s experiences in fighting corruption in ports. The network works towards the vision of a maritime industry free of corruption, and helps shipping companies setting up and improving anti-corruption programs and procedures. It also enables members to share anti-corruption experiences and best practices. Finally, the network engages with local stakeholders in anti-corruption initiatives in countries with major maritime operations, such as Indonesia, Egypt, and Argentina.    

Participants
Peter Lund Thomsen (CBS), René Taudal Poulsen (CBS), Dr. Michael Zhang (Nottingham Business School/Trent University), Johanna Yliskylä-Peuralahti (University of Turku), Judith van Leeuwen (Wageningen UR), Jane Lister (University of British Columbia), Henrik Sornn-Friese (CBS), Vasileios Kosmas (Kühne Logistics University), Markus Vejvar (Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Hans Krause Hansen (CBS), Helen Sampson (Seafarers International Research Centre, Cardiff University), Beatriz Martinez Romera (University of Copenhagen), and Rob Ackrill (Nottingham Trent University).

Date and venue
25-26 May 2016
Kilen CBS, 3rd floor, Kilevej 14a, 2000 Frederiksberg.

The workshop was organized by Peter Lund-Thomsen and René Taudal Poulsen.