Businesses and Climate Change

Public Relations and Communication Dissertation

Oana Stefancu

Why?

Why should the

world care?

Why should the businesses

care?

Why do I care?

Question

Why do different stakeholder groups influence the value that a company gives to the idea of carbon emission reduction?

This question will be explored in at least two case study companies.

Hypothesis

The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in global companies, based on the Kyoto Protocol standards, is dependent on the different stakeholder groups’ influence and governmental initiatives but is driven by financial reasons.

Terms of reference • To consider the theoretical foundations of the companies’

environmental policies to key stakeholders, including theories such as corporate social responsibility, reputation management and stakeholder relation with particular focus on investor relation and public affairs.

• To research the degree to which these are reflected in the climate change approach of Vodafone and Talk Talk and the importance they give to CSR and stakeholder relations.

Terms of reference • To research whether the companies’ stakeholder groups are

aware of the Kyoto Protocol standards and whether the standards influence their perception of the companies.

• To explore and critically analyse the reasons why stakeholder groups in these organisations value/do not value global standards.

• To demonstrate that companies with more global stakeholders use global standards to demonstrate its investment in CSR to build its reputation on a global basis.

Research plan

Shareholders

Suppliers

Non-profit organizations

Governments

Media

Customers

Employees

Communities

Board of directors

Pressure groups

Content analysis

Experimentation

Questionnaires

Focus group

Interviews VMM