Corporate Responsibility in Conflict Regions

Multinational corporations, through their core business of making a profit, can contribute to peace in conflict regions. The key factor, however, is their awareness of cultural differences. Without cultural knowledge and sensitivity, every initiative is doomed to fail or can even provoke new conflicts.
CMC joined efforts with Logos Research in delivering services to companies that face the ethical dilemmas and managerial challenges of operating in conflict regions.

We can help companies with four challenging issues:

Adopt the proper attitude
Peace promotion is neither a matter of "charity" nor of incidental or solitary actions. Understanding of the local situation and all parties involved is a prerequisite so that the peace process is a collaboration effort.

Design a strategy
A strategy for peace-promoting activities should be implemented at the level of the company's operations as well as at the regional, national, and international levels. This implies a thorough knowledge of local networks, customs, values, and power mechanisms as well as an understanding of what is culturally effective, acceptable, or preferable for all parties.

Form alliances
Corporations in conflict regions will seldom be effective on their own. The will have to form alliances with governments and respected nongovernmental organizations, local or international. Thus, managers will need to be business diplomats.

Engage stakeholders
One-way public relations are no longer adequate to address the complex structure of stakeholder engagement. Companies have to develop the necessary skills to organize two-way communication with a large variety of stakeholders.