6. THE CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY BY
6.4 Conclusion
This chapter of the study explained that Lafarge Mining South Africa has attempted to adopt initiatives aimed at enhancing corporate social responsible behaviour. The education-related social upliftment programme proved to embody all the principles of social sustainability, since learners were provided with the opportunity to be empowered and develop their knowledge. The skills-related social upliftment programme proved to be ineffectual with regard to the women who were interviewed, as they expressed their unhappiness with inconsistencies in the management and operation of the project. Thus this programme did not contribute significantly to social sustainability. In contrast, the education-related social upliftment programme proved to be beneficial to those who participated as it allowed them to increase their well-being. The skills-related social upliftment programme proved to be disadvantageous to the women who were interviewed, since they felt that their livelihoods were not changed or improved. In order for social sustainability to be achieved, the quality of life of individuals must be improved (Hill and Bowen, 1997).
Urban environments result in a variety of multifaceted relationships and in order to address certain issues and provide solutions to manage these problems, consideration needs to be given to the well-being of society (Coetzee and Nomdo, 2002). In order to take into consideration the needs and well-being of society, businesses have attempted to promote social sustainability (Dudziak, 2007). Businesses, such as Lafarge Mining South Africa and its Ridgeview Quarry have begun to encourage the educational development of individuals within society, through initiating social upliftment programmes. Although Lafarge Mining South Africa and its Ridgeview Quarry attempted to contribute to corporate social responsibility by initiating social upliftment programmes, there were a number of weaknesses in their initiatives that prevented the achievement of total social sustainability.
The respondents from the education-related social upliftment programme, felt that Lafarge Mining South Africa and its Ridgeview Quarry contributed significantly to improving the well-being of learners. However, respondents from the school, highlighted that upliftment should start from primary school level, so as to increase social sustainability. Although the programme encompassed aspects of social sustainability, difficulties would arise if funding were withdrawn, since individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds become dependent on this aid, in order to improve their livelihood (Hill and Bowen, 1997; Newman, 2006;
Swilling and Annecke, 2006). With regards to the skills-related social upliftment programme the women who were interviewed explained that Lafarge Mining South Africa and its Ridgeview Quarry need to be more committed to promises and that follow-ups needed to be done. In light of the fact that the equipment, necessary to sustain the skills developed from the programme, was expensive, it is clear that the long-term viability of this programme needed to be given greater consideration by Lafarge Mining South Africa and its Ridgeview Quarry. Both the programmes encompassed aspects of social sustainability; however the skill-related social upliftment programme was more flawed in comparison with the education-related social upliftment programme. Overall, in this study the participants in the education-related social upliftment programme were pleased with the outcome of the programme, however, with regards to the skills-related social upliftment programme, the women who were interviewed emphasised that the programme did not enhance their living standards and well-being in anyway.
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CHAPTER SEVEN
CONCLUSION
Corporate social responsibility has been in existence for a while but only recently has it been given importance in the decision-making process of businesses. Increased globalisation, the agglomerated power of multinational corporations, accelerated competitiveness between corporations, an increased awareness about sustainable development, together with the review of businesses activities, has resulted in companies conducting themselves in a more socially responsible manner (Carley and Christie, 1992;
Meadowcroft, 1999; Meadowcroft et ai., 2005; Wolch, 2007). Corporate social responsibility is a concept that describes corporate activities beyond profit-making. The term is increasingly used to describe the role of business in society and was explored in the thesis.
Although industry is sometimes seen as a source of environmental degradation and social concerns, it is widely recognised that it is an essential part of development and wealth creation. Businesses today have gone from being understood as organisations with the sole aim of increasing profit, to becoming organisations which are necessary to fulfil the social requirements of society. Many businesses have thus become actively involved in the sustainability debate, by trying to identify ways to improve their triple bottom line and contribute to sustainable development.
The aim of this study was to evaluate corporate social responsibility activities in a resource extraction industry, namely Lafarge Mining South Africa and its Ridgeview Quarry, in terms of its contribution to social sustainability. Subsequent to this, the research objectives that underpinned the study were: 1. To investigate the nature of public participation with regard to the discussion forum related to Ridgeview Quarry activities. 2. To assess education-related social upliftment programmes associated with the Ridgeview Quarry, in terms of social sustain ability. 3. To assess skills-related social upliftment programmes associated with the Ridgeview Quarry, in terms of social sustainability. 4. To evaluate the overall contribution to social sustainability by the social responsibility programmes. 5. To develop recommendations for further contribution to social sustainability through interaction with those involved in the social responsibility programmes.
This thesis sought first to understand the relevant literature that pertained to the research, such as sustainable development, social sustainability, well-being, social justice and public participation. The theoretical framework explored the concept of sustainable development in a broad context, whereby the pillars and principles of sustainable development were described. Underlying this concept was social sustainability, which is a critical pillar of sustainable development and was the main focus of this research. Social sustainability was broadly explained as that which empowers people to play an active role in the decision- making process, thereby enhancing and maintaining social capital (Hill and Bowen, 1997;
Selman, 2001; Goodland, 2002; Newman, 2006; Swilling and Annecke, 2006; Scheinsohn and Cabrera, 2009). With this in mind, to achieve sustainable development a business has to ensure that it contributes to a better quality of life today without compromising the quality oflife of future generations (Cairns, 1997; Meadowcroft, 1999; Meadowcroft et ai., 2005; Lee, 2006; Swilling, 2006). If business is to respond to this challenge, it needs to demonstrate an incessant improvement of its triple bottom line (Vanclay, 2004; Hermans and Knippenberg, 2006; Werther and Chandler, 2006). This general concept is commonly known as corporate social responsibility.
Many businesses have begun to respond to calls for greater social responsibility. Presently, issues that face society such as lack of jobs, poor education opportunities and inadequate infrastructure have placed enormous pressure on the social environment (McAulay, 1966;
Blowfield, 2007; Jickling and Wals, 2007; Lawson, 2007; Welford et a!., 2007). Thus, these challenges have considerably impacted on the social development of many individuals and the idea of socially progressing in terms of improving one's quality of life becomes a significant issue. In order to address and limit these pressures, many businesses have begun to adopt principles and actions that are moral and sustainable, one such action is being socially responsible. Businesses are therefore encouraged to proactively engage within the social environment by promoting growth and development of society (McAulay, 1966; Kotler and Lee, 2005; Gouldson, 2006; Werther and Chandler, 2006). Ideally, corporate social responsibility should be ultimately practised and placed on the agendas of all businesses, whereby businesses employ ethical and legal standards to monitor their practices thereby attempting to create a sustainable future.
Government regulation cannot at all times guarantee that the way business is conducted is perceived as 'fair' or 'just' by society. As a result, a growing number of businesses operate under the guise of corporate social responsibility. Proponents of corporate social
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responsibility argue that businesses that adopt socially responsible behaviour benefit in the long-term as a relationship of trust is created between business and the social environment (Hamann and Acutt, 2003; Lawrence et al., 2005; Werther and Chandler, 2006).
Proponents of corporate social responsibility further state that stakeholder relationships are improved. Even though some businesses are making genuine efforts to achieve sustainable development, some critics are still questioning the concept of corporate social responsibility. Critics argue that corporate social responsibility decreases the profitability aspect of many businesses and that it is merely a facade that many businesses are guilty of hiding behind in order to pretend they are doing something of benefit (Hamann and Acutt, 2003; Lawrence et al., 2005). Although there are some arguments for and against corporate social responsibility, corporate social responsibility is very important to both society and business.
Social space is not homogenous and communities in urban areas have different levels of living, resources and political power (Brecher et aI., 2000; McDonald, 2002; Banerjee, 2003; Scott and Oelofse, 2005; Bond, 2008; McLennan and Farrelly, 2010). The reason for these different levels of living can be attributed to apartheid spatial engineering. Many black people suffered forced removals from their residential areas and were placed in inferior areas, close to industrial developments, thus further contributing to racial oppression (Peffer, 1990; Davenport, 1991; Hendler, 1991; Isaacs, 1997; McDonald, 2002; Bond, 2008; Matten and Crane, n.d). This thesis explored the concept of social justice and public participation, which are key principles in achieving social sustainability. It is the poor income groups who, as a result of residing in close proximity to these developments, are negatively affected. In principle, adopting social justice and encouraging participation is very possible, but in reality an individual's well-being is influenced by market forces (Lele, 1991;
Yanarella, and Levine, 1992; Doyle, 1998; Robinson, 2004; Smith, 2004). In light of this argument, businesses are encouraged to adhere to sustainable social and environmental policies when carrying out their activities, so as to ensure that their activities are not detrimental to all aspects of the environment and more specifically the social environment.
It was with this history in mind that the case study was analysed. The background of the study provided knowledge regarding the mineral resource extraction industry, specifically Lafarge Mining South Africa and its Ridgeview Quarry. The background to the study also provided insight into businesses, specifically in South Africa, that engage in corporate social responsibility. The background explained the relationship that existed between