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Institutional pressures and accountability processes in pursuit of sustainable development goals: Insights from Ghanaian indigenous oil companies
(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2023) Agyenim-Boateng, C.; Simpson, S.N.Y.; Tetteh, L. A.
This paper aims at exploring the institutional pressures and accountability processes in pursuit of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in indigenous oil companies in Ghana. Applying a qualitative research strategy, semi-structured interviews with 20 company managers and other industry stakeholders were used to collect in-depth and rich empirical data. In pursuit of the SDG agenda, the indigenous oil companies appear to be sensitive to both internal and external stakeholder pressure. However, the coercive pressures from regulators did not always result in the companies imple menting actual change. Instead, coercive pressures from non-governmental actors have taken on the role of ‘regulator’ of organisational practices. Also, internal forces of change were mainly the foreign partner's audit pressure and management commit ment to enhance company reputation. Beyond the institutional pressures to incorpo rate SDGs into business practices, the finding adds fresh perspectives to the three logical steps of SDG accountability processes used by the companies to track their contribution to SDG implementation and reporting, namely: data collection, SDG per formance measurement, and communication of SDG outcomes. Finally, the study dis covers that the companies are making little progress towards the achievement of the SDGs because of financial limitations, rigid organisational environments that prevent change, and a lack of a standardised institutional framework. The findings suggest that in order for an organisation to gain legitimacy, its SDG agenda must incorporate the concerns of non-governmental actors and local communities into its corporate decision-making. Failure to meet the needs of these essential stakeholders may jeopardise the legitimacy of organisation which will threaten its survival.
Linking Social Rights to Active Citizenship for the Most Vulnerable: the Role of Rights and Accountability in the ‘Making’ and ‘Shaping’ of Social Protection
(The European Journal of Development Research, 2019-07-08) Abdul-Gafaru, A.; Sabates-Wheeler, R.; Wilmink, N.; De Groot, R.; Spadafora, T.
Social protection has the potential to provide a key interface between states and citizens. We consider how the institutional framing and design of social protection can be adapted from top-down forms of provision to forms that stimulate vulnerable citizens to make rights-based claims and demand accountability for their entitlements. A conceptual framework is developed that illustrates three channels through which citizenship can be engaged through social accountability mechanisms and in the context of social protection provision. Drawing on case studies, we highlight the different contexts in which the design and delivery of social protection can open up spaces for different forms of citizenship engagement and expression. Through opening up institutional spaces where citizens can engage with the state, and each other, we conclude that social protection is uniquely placed to build the economic, social and political capabilities of citizens.
Natural resource governance, accountability and legitimising propensity: insights from Ghana’s oil and gas sector
(Emerald Publishing Limited, 2021) Asare, E.; Burton, B.; Dunne, T.
Purpose – This study explores Ghanaian views about accountability discharge by firms and government in the context of the nation’s newly discovered oil and gas resources. The research focusses on a range of issues relating to stakeholder interaction, communication flows and the impact of decision-making on Ghanaian lives, as perceived by individuals on the ground. Design/methodology/approach – The paper adapts elements of legitimacy theory to interpret the outcome of a series of semi-structured interviews with members of key accountee and accountor groups including citizens and representatives of the state and private firms in the oil and gas industry in Ghana. Findings – The results indicate that rather than attempting to effect substantive accountability discharge, Ghana’s government and oil and gas firms employ a wide range of legitimation strategies despite the apparently complete absence of the accountee power normally seen as driving the need for social contract repair. Research limitations/implications – The findings suggest that accountability discharge in Ghana is cursory at best, with several legitimising strategies in evidence. The representatives from state institutions appear to share some of the concerns, suggesting that the problems are entrenched and will require robust enforcement of a strengthened regulatory approach to effect meaningful change. Originality/value –This paper contributes to the literature on the discharge of institutional accountability by building on earlier conceptualisations of legitimacy theory to explore perceptions around a recent natural resource discovery. The analysis highlights grave concerns regarding the behaviour of state and corporate actors, one that runs counter to sub-Saharan African tradition.