Rajiv Maher
Organisation Studies,
Cranfield School of Management
Qualifications
B.A. Tourism Management, Leeds Metropolitan, UK
M.A Human Settlements and Environmental Management, Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile
MRes Management Research Methodology, Cranfield University, UK
Background
Before commencing the PhD at Cranfield he worked as a consultant in the area of Corporate Responsibility in Latin American firms. Firstly he was based at Vincular Centre for CR in Chile and later moved to International Finance Corporation (IFC) in the World Bank Group to work on developing an advisory services product for incorporating CR into emerging market firm’s strategies.
Rajiv has also worked on CR related research projects at IFC including writing a publication about CR. Also leading research at SNV on an Inclusive Business (Doing business with the Poor) Mapping Project. He was also main field researcher on a multi perspective case study on the CR of a Canadian Mining firm in Northern Chile in 2009 in conjunction with Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada.
Research Topic
How do firms in the extractives industries operationalize their learning from NGOs and local communities?
Research Issue.
Firms from the extractives industry operating in the emerging markets, in particular the mining industry come into close contact with impoverished and sometimes indigenous communities. These communities hold different value systems, beliefs and worldviews to those of the private firm. The coexistence of both company and communities can create friction and even conflict and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) represent the communities.
As a result the main parties dialogue, engage and collaborate for joint solutions to the demands being placed. During this period of stakeholder engagement communities and company perceptions of the other can change. There is also a certain amount of new knowledge learned from the interaction.
This leads me to the following three questions:
• Why does the firm engage and learn from the communities and NGOs?
• What is this new knowledge?
• How exactly is it learned and operationalized by the firm?
Sector
Extractives (Oil, Gas and Mining)
Research Methods.
Qualitative - Multiperspectives.
Theoretical Perspective
Theories of Organizational Learning in particular Crossan’s 4 “I”s.
Why I Chose Cranfield
Due to the Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility’s high standing with regards to research and practitioner work in CR. Additionally as Cranfield is renowned for putting knowledge into action, therefore the strong practicality dimension that the university offers.