Stakeholder opposition in a foreign direct investment: Case Botnia's pulp mill in Uruguay
Gonzalez Porras, Lara (2016)
2016
Master's Degree Programme in Business Competence
Johtamiskorkeakoulu - School of Management
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2016-12-15
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201612222900
http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201612222900
Tiivistelmä
Firms frequently decide to invest in foreign countries and projects. These international projects involve various actors called stakeholders, who can have a positive or a negative influence on the firm. The aim of this research is to examine the opposition that arises in international projects and how this resistance is practiced, analyzing the firm-stakeholder and stakeholder-stakeholder relationships that emerge during a conflict in a foreign direct investment.
The theoretical framework is based on stakeholder theory. In previous literature, only few studies have examined the behavior and the existing relationships among stakeholder groups. In addition, opposition has been analyzed as exerted against the firm, and there is lack of exploration on how resistance can be shown against other stakeholder groups, leading to complex relationships during a conflict.
The research is conducted through the analysis of Botnia case. Data consists of newspaper articles, and they are analyzed using qualitative content analysis as a method. Results show that stakeholders can develop supportive or opposing relationships with other groups, and that these relationships are usually dynamic and changeable. Besides, the analysis identifies several opposition tactics, which can be utilized at both direct and indirect levels. These tactics are further examined utilizing Den Hond and De Bakker's (2007) classification of tactics.
The study contributes to stakeholder literature by showing how previous research on opposition can be utilized to understand resistance among stakeholders, and how stakeholder relationships can emerge as a method to show resistance. In addition, it highlights the importance of understanding stakeholder behaviors in international projects, so managers can learn how to identify and anticipate opposition tactics in order to ensure the project success.
The theoretical framework is based on stakeholder theory. In previous literature, only few studies have examined the behavior and the existing relationships among stakeholder groups. In addition, opposition has been analyzed as exerted against the firm, and there is lack of exploration on how resistance can be shown against other stakeholder groups, leading to complex relationships during a conflict.
The research is conducted through the analysis of Botnia case. Data consists of newspaper articles, and they are analyzed using qualitative content analysis as a method. Results show that stakeholders can develop supportive or opposing relationships with other groups, and that these relationships are usually dynamic and changeable. Besides, the analysis identifies several opposition tactics, which can be utilized at both direct and indirect levels. These tactics are further examined utilizing Den Hond and De Bakker's (2007) classification of tactics.
The study contributes to stakeholder literature by showing how previous research on opposition can be utilized to understand resistance among stakeholders, and how stakeholder relationships can emerge as a method to show resistance. In addition, it highlights the importance of understanding stakeholder behaviors in international projects, so managers can learn how to identify and anticipate opposition tactics in order to ensure the project success.