Perspectives on corporate social responsibility in the chemical sector: A comparative analysis of the Mexican and South African cases

In recent years, the debate on corporate responsibility has shifted from a focus on environmental management towards a broader concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). This article examines the chemical industry's approach to CSR from the perspective of two emerging economies: Mexico and South Africa. The global chemical industry was one of the first to respond to public concerns about environmental pollution, toxic waste and human health by adopting an industry‐wide code of practice, known as Responsible Care. This article examines the extent to which the chemical industry has responded to the broader debate on CSR. On the basis of a comparative case study, this article argues that the response to social issues by Mexican and South African chemical companies has tended to be limited to the ‘community awareness and emergency response’ (CAER) or community dialogue component of the international voluntary management framework, Responsible Care. Similarities and differences in regulatory and institutional conditions, as well as different levels of civil society engagement, reveal additional limitations for CSR, beyond that of the Responsible Care framework. This article argues that the socio‐political context influences the extent to which companies embrace CSR, especially in emerging economies, and highlights several challenges for the chemical industry in moving forward on CSR: credibility, stakeholder engagement, value‐chain accountability, disclosure and transparency. Reflecting on these challenges, the authors conclude by recommending a renewed focus on: (1) developing a broader set of CSR management practices beyond Responsible Care; (2) institutionalizing stronger accountability measures, such as reporting and verification; and (3) developing multi‐stakeholder partnerships that complement regulation and build public sector regulatory and guidance capacity.     

出口条件对人员疏散的影响及其分析

采用社会力模型对紧急情况下(如火灾发生时)的人员疏散现象进行了模拟，重现了实际疏散中出现的典型现象，着重研究了出口宽度、出口厚度等建筑结构特征以及期望速度等人群特征与疏散时间之间的关系。结果表明，上述建筑结构特征对疏散时间的影响存在一个渐近关系；随着人群期望速度的变化，疏散时间存在一个最佳值。这些结果可望指导建筑物的疏散设计和建筑火灾等紧急情况下人员的安全疏散。     

AN INTERPRETATIVE ANALYSIS OF FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL ECONOMIC COSTS DUE TO WATER RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT1

ABSTRACT This article reports information on the economic costs not covered by resettlement procedures to forced migrants from a flood-control reservoir. Data come from a sample of 200 families relocated due to construction of the Carr Fork Reservoir in the Coal Regions of Eastern Kentucky (Knott County). Responses indicated that economic costs were greater than the monetary settlement provided by the Corps of Engineers and that economic loss was not randomly distributed among the relocated persons. Analysis showed that persons who were more likely to be victims of greater economic costs due to relocation were landowners, older families with one or two members, persons with lower incomes and persons who were long time residents of the area. It is suggested that change angencies not only include property purchased by necessity in the cost-benefit ratio, but also other costs that have a direct affect on the welfare of the target population. In addition, it is suggested that case workers visit migrants during and after the relocation process to assist in solving various adjustment problems.     

建立社会安全保护体系,保障社会可持续发展

人是社会的主体，各种不安全因素，包括事故、灾害、环境破坏等危害的共同对象主要是人身生命、健康安全与人类赖以生存和发展的环境条件，包括人居环境、生产系统、生活设施和用品等，以及人类生活的自然环境与社会环境，这些是影响社会可持续发展的主要因素。为了保障社会可持续发展，首先必须树立以人为本的思想，建设以保护人身生命、健康安全和人类赖以生存发展的环境条件为核心的安全保护体系。社会安全保护体系是一项系统工程，其中防灾减灾是重要的环节，应与生产建设、保护环境、劳动保护同步规划，综合管理。     

RATES,RIGHTS, AND REGIONAL PLANNING IN THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA1

ABSTRACT: The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has for more than 70 years shaped the development of an immense urban region. The district's current strategic planning process therefore could have substantial effects on regional water planning and management. The rate restructuring phase of the planning process has produced a multiple component, cost of service based framework. This paper describes that framework as well as some criticisms that have been directed toward it. The rate restructuring was shaped, and for a while stalled, by old disputes among member agencies over rights to water supplied by Metropolitan. That controversy has diverted attention from the resource management implications of the rate structure. This paper presents an alternative future focused approach to regional integrated water resource planning for Southern California based on projections of current trends and anticipation of future events. This discussion raises the question of how regional integrated water resources planning of this sort may proceed, and what role Metropolitan will play in that process.     

A Social Contract for Biotechnology: Shared Visions for Risky Technologies?

Future technological developmentsconcerning food, agriculture, and theenvironment face a gulf of social legitimationfrom a skeptical public and media, in the wakeof the crises of BSE, GM food, and foot andmouth disease in the UK (House of Lords, 2000). Keyethical issues were ignored by the bioindustry,regulators, and the Government, leaving alegacy of distrust. The paper examinesagricultural biotechnology in terms of a socialcontract, whose conditions would have to be fulfilled togain acceptance of novel applications. Variouscurrent and future GM applications areevaluated against these conditions. Successwould depend critically on how far a sharedvision can be found with the public. Tore-establish trust, significant changes areidentified in the planning and pursuit ofbiotechnology.     

Recognizing hidden environmental and social costs and reducing ecological and societal damage through tax, price, and subsidy reform

Indirect, unpriced environmental and social costs of human activities in the United States amount to several trillion dollars each year. By accounting for these costs and shifting some of the tax burden from work to waste, it would be possible to protect the environment and benefit society and the economy.     

PERSPECTIVES ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND ITS MANAGEMENT: EXAMPLES FROM FOREST HYDROLOGY1

ABSTRACT: This paper uses the varying perspectives of researchers, funders, users or purchasers, and the wider community of stakeholders who have an interest in the outcome of research, to describe the socio-economic and organizational context in which forest hydrology research, as a particular form of environmental science, is carried out. The kinds of products from research, and the outcomes from research desired by these different parties are discussed. Implications for research organizations, their research strategies, and for the researchers within those organizations are discussed using the Porter-Harvard model of the context for the competitive strategies of enterprises. Some possible implications for research funding, research management, career paths for researchers, and the initial and lifetime education/learning needs of researchers and their managers are suggested. These considerations and implications are then related to the kinds of knowledge, skills, experience, and behaviors which are likely to be needed for a 21st century career in environmental research.     

排污收费标准制定理论及技术方法研究

运用微观经济学理论和宏观污染控制规划方法学论研究排污收费标准制定理论和技术方法，取得如下结论；（１）使社会福利达到最大的排污收费标准等于污染物削减的社会平均边际成本；（２）在某些时期内，污染物的社会平均削减成本根据某些污染物特定的削减方式和削减技术来确定。     

北京市交通社会成本的评估

在介绍城市交通社会成本的概念及评估方法的基础上，针对北京市交通环境现状，对北京市交通环境成本、拥挤成本进行了估算，并提出了降低北京市交通社会成本的建议。