The Practice of corporate social responsibility and environmental protection in Thailand

Title: The Practice of corporate social responsibility and environmental protection in Thailand

Author: Chayanin Wangsai

Year: 2007

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Pisanu Sangiampongsa

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: To examine the current practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by the Thai business sector regarding environmental protection and sustainable resource management. It particularly looked at the limitations and constraints faced by the private sector, and the role of the state and civil society concerning to adoption of CSR practice in Thailand. The information used in the study was collected through documentary research and interview with key informants: three Thai businesses with an established reputation for CSR practice, an environmental NGO, and a governmental organization responsible for promoting CSR in Thailand. The findings revealed that there was a mutual and advanced understanding of the concept and practices of CSR among all participants. With regards to interaction between different sectors, the study showed that the respondents viewed that the CSR movement in Thailand corresponds with a trend towards more participatory policy-making and stakeholder involvement in the area of environmental standard. With regards to limitations, the study revealed discrepancies between large and small organizations, as well as variations across sectors. This is due to the lack of rational or cultural institutional environment to support or encourage CSR practice, resulting in disadvantage for small-scale enterprises engaging in beyond-compliance environmental protection. The different capacities between large and small organizations were reflected in their different approaches to CSR practice. While large business organizations adopted a ‘reformist’ approach, the smaller business took a ‘radical’ approach to CSR practice. However, the radical approach to CSR, which is based on local resource and capacity, is likely to be the most appropriate method for a developing country such as Thailand. Finally, this study recommended that the public, private, and civil society sectors should cooperate to establish measures, particularly the necessary regulatory framework and verification mechanisms, in order to support fair and transparent CSR practice in environmental protection and sustainable resource management by all Thai businesses.

International cooperation and China's energy security concerns

Title: International cooperation and China's energy security concerns

Author: Puangthong Pawakapan

Year: 2007

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Puangthong Pawakapan

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: China’s dramatic economic growth has made energy into a security issue. As China grows, so do its energy needs. Though China’s per capita energy usage ranks low globally, its enormous population makes it the second highest energy consumer with signs indicating that it will surpass the United States, the highest energy consumer, in the near future. China’s increased consumption has made China more active in securing energy. Its increased dependence on foreign energy imports is already driving up global prices and is raising fears of conflict as China’s search for energy converges with the interests of its neighbors and the United States. This thesis argues that while China’s energy security policy has stimulated concerns in developed oil dependent countries, it would not necessarily lead to conflict but would instigate increased aid and exchange of information over renewable energy technology as it is the most attractive alternative to current conventional fuel. The thesis explores the Chinese government’s involvement in various renewable energy cooperative efforts to assess the commitment to renewable energy on the part of China. Though renewable energy consists of a very small sector of energy consumption, and will continue to be so in the near future, renewable energy is better for energy security in the long run as it is available domestically. The current cooperation over renewable energy is not enough to make China more secure over its energy security nor is it enough to change the current situation in which China travels the globe to increase its energy supply but China’s participation in the various projects demonstrates its willingness to invest in renewable energy in the long term.

The interaction between the Mekong River Commission and China : an analysis of hydropolitical dynamics on cooperation

Title: The interaction between the Mekong River Commission and China : an analysis of hydropolitical dynamics on cooperation

Author: Jill Lawler

Year: 2006

Keywords: N/A

Theme: Environmental Politics and Policy

Advisor(s): Chantana Banpasirichote

The full thesis available here.

Abstract: River basins create hydrologic interdependencies that force States to negotiate their interests and national security within a regional context. A hydropolitical security complex emerges when States consider shared resources as a major national security issue. Changes within the political economy of the Mekong basin create new security issues as multiple interests complete for the Mekong’s shared resources. In particular, China has begun developing the upper portions of the Mekong River, which could change the quantity and quality of downstream flows and could impede other States’ ability to fulfill their national agendas vis-à-vis the Mekong. Placing China and the MRC within the context of a hydropolitical security complex, this research analyzes the current state of cooperation between the MRC and China. It looks at political, economic, and social factors that contribute to, or impinge, cooperation between China and the MRC. This study is derived from qualitative research, using a combination of documentary analysis and in-depth interviews with officials within the MRC Secretariat, former National Mekong Committee Members, and China’s UNESCAP division, as well as key informants close to the issue. These interviews supplemented information on cooperation between the MRC and China provided by several databases. The research findings show that China and the MRC are expanding technical cooperation in flood mitigation, with possibilities of further cooperation in navigation, tourism, and capacity building. Each State’s perception of tradeoffs and benefits determine the extent to which they cooperate over shared resources. States adapt their interests according to the specific economic, political, environmental, and social context of each state and of the basin as a whole. Increased economic integration between all riparian States, as well as growing regional involvement on the part of China, create areas for cooperation between China and the MRC within the Mekong basin. The Mekong River development has taken on a new interest for all parties and the manner in which cooperation is carried out has important implications for the MRC in terms of transboundary water governance, as well as for the basin as a whole.