title: Exploring the definitions and practices of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from a corporate perspective: A case of the InterOil Corporation in Papua New Guinea

authors: George, Michael

subjects: Corporate Social Responsibility

abstract: This thesis explored the extent to which the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is defined and articulated by corporations in the Oil and Gas Project in Papua New Guinea, using the case of InterOil Corporation. The thesis offered a discussion on the views, understanding and practices of corporate economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities.
The thesis has examined the ways in which the concept of CSR is broadly understood at the governmental or corporate level. The study analysed official documents, including relevant legislation such as the Oil and Gas Act (1998), the Environmental Act (2000) and corporate annual reports. In addition, in-depth interviews with the participants - managers and employees from InterOil Corporation - were also analysed. The analysis revealed an understanding that the main focus of CSR is on redistribution of economic benefits and corporate moral imperatives. This has influenced the extent to which CSR is defined and practiced. The main concern for all stakeholders, reflected in analysis of documents and interviews, was redistribution of economic benefits.
The study showed that there is a significant lack of planning and policy at institutional levels: government and corporation. As a result, it has created confusion or an overlap of responsibilities between corporate CSR and government constitutional obligations of service delivery to affected landowner communities. In essence, CSR practices, in line with Giddens (1998) third way governance has shifted political, economic, financial powers and intellectual control away from “nations into de-politicised global space” (p. 140) by creating an inappropriate development programs, which shifted responsibilities, including the state’s traditional roles in providing community services, onto the company (InterOil). On the other hand, the government has seemingly maintained a hands-off approach, while maintaining a tight approach to benefit redistribution.
The importance of this research is that it addresses a gap in the literature on corporate social responsibility from the perspective of corporations in oil and gas projects in PNG. It offers empirical evidence of a need for future research in CSR practices in oil and gas or resource development in PNG.

text: Exploring the definitions and practices of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from a corporate perspective: A case of the InterOil Corporation in Papua New Guinea This thesis explored the extent to which the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is defined and articulated by corporations in the Oil and Gas Project in Papua New Guinea, using the case of InterOil Corporation. The thesis offered a discussion on the views, understanding and practices of corporate economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities.
The thesis has examined the ways in which the concept of CSR is broadly understood at the governmental or corporate level. The study analysed official documents, including relevant legislation such as the Oil and Gas Act (1998), the Environmental Act (2000) and corporate annual reports. In addition, in-depth interviews with the participants - managers and employees from InterOil Corporation - were also analysed. The analysis revealed an understanding that the main focus of CSR is on redistribution of economic benefits and corporate moral imperatives. This has influenced the extent to which CSR is defined and practiced. The main concern for all stakeholders, reflected in analysis of documents and interviews, was redistribution of economic benefits.
The study showed that there is a significant lack of planning and policy at institutional levels: government and corporation. As a result, it has created confusion or an overlap of responsibilities between corporate CSR and government constitutional obligations of service delivery to affected landowner communities. In essence, CSR practices, in line with Giddens (1998) third way governance has shifted political, economic, financial powers and intellectual control away from “nations into de-politicised global space” (p. 140) by creating an inappropriate development programs, which shifted responsibilities, including the state’s traditional roles in providing community services, onto the company (InterOil). On the other hand, the government has seemingly maintained a hands-off approach, while maintaining a tight approach to benefit redistribution.
The importance of this research is that it addresses a gap in the literature on corporate social responsibility from the perspective of corporations in oil and gas projects in PNG. It offers empirical evidence of a need for future research in CSR practices in oil and gas or resource development in PNG.

year: 2013

title: Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Bloodmeal-Based Thermoplastics Plasticized with Tri(ethylene glycol)

authors: Bier, James Michael

subjects: glass transitions

abstract: Thermoplastic protein produced from bloodmeal (BM) becomes brittle as moisture desorbs from the material. Tensile tests, DMA, DSC and WAXS are used to determine the effect of replacing water with TEG. Specimens containing 0–30 pphBM TEG and combined water and TEG content prior to extrusion of 60 pphBM are extruded, injection-moulded and conditioned. TEG increases the strain at break while reducing strength. 20 pphBM is chosen as an appropriate compromise between strength and ductility with a tensile strength of 6 MPa, a Young's modulus of 250 MPa, a toughness of 2.8 MPa and a strain at break of 0.53. When TEG is held at 20 pphBM and the amounts of other additives varied urea has the largest effect on conditioned properties, showing that H-bonding still dominates protein/protein

text: Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Bloodmeal-Based Thermoplastics Plasticized with Tri(ethylene glycol) Thermoplastic protein produced from bloodmeal (BM) becomes brittle as moisture desorbs from the material. Tensile tests, DMA, DSC and WAXS are used to determine the effect of replacing water with TEG. Specimens containing 0–30 pphBM TEG and combined water and TEG content prior to extrusion of 60 pphBM are extruded, injection-moulded and conditioned. TEG increases the strain at break while reducing strength. 20 pphBM is chosen as an appropriate compromise between strength and ductility with a tensile strength of 6 MPa, a Young's modulus of 250 MPa, a toughness of 2.8 MPa and a strain at break of 0.53. When TEG is held at 20 pphBM and the amounts of other additives varied urea has the largest effect on conditioned properties, showing that H-bonding still dominates protein/protein

year: 2013

title: Experiencing cultural tourism: Visitors at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, New Zealand

authors: Ryan, Chris

subjects: indigenous tourism

abstract: This study reports results derived from semistructured interviews with 40 visitors to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua, New Zealand. The article discusses briefly the mode of data capture used and adopts an approach of identifying classifications of a primarily functional nature to list reasons why people visit such a site and what it is they seek. In general, visitors reported high levels of satisfaction, yet the cultural component of their experience was primarily reported in terms of the visit being informative and entertaining. Additionally, whereas modest levels of interest in things Maori seemed to motivate visits to other Maori sites, the actual list of other locations being nominated was few in number. The impression results that visits are made to Maori sites because this is a "done thing" when visiting New Zealand, but overall, the level of interest shown by most visitors in indigenous culture is modest.

text: Experiencing cultural tourism: Visitors at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, New Zealand This study reports results derived from semistructured interviews with 40 visitors to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua, New Zealand. The article discusses briefly the mode of data capture used and adopts an approach of identifying classifications of a primarily functional nature to list reasons why people visit such a site and what it is they seek. In general, visitors reported high levels of satisfaction, yet the cultural component of their experience was primarily reported in terms of the visit being informative and entertaining. Additionally, whereas modest levels of interest in things Maori seemed to motivate visits to other Maori sites, the actual list of other locations being nominated was few in number. The impression results that visits are made to Maori sites because this is a "done thing" when visiting New Zealand, but overall, the level of interest shown by most visitors in indigenous culture is modest.

year: 2006