Corporate Social Responsibility Of Transnational Corporations

Another major problem in the DRC is that transnational corporations are financing rebel groups and government militias to monopolize coltan, which is creating a constant power struggle and conflict over the control of these mines (Carpenter 2012:9). The conflict that occurred in Kilwa with the Canadian mining corporation Anvil and the Congolese troops is a perfect example of a transnational corporation supporting Congolese troops in order to protect a valuable mining facility. The widespread demand for coltan to make technological devices is causing many corporations to finance rebel groups to extract and ensure coltan is able to be delivered to these corporations. The scholarly authors Mullins and Rothe claim that although there are ethical,
Heledd Jenkins defines Corporate social responsibility (CSR) as social progress that recognizes the needs of everyone; effective protection of the environment; prudent use of natural resources; and maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth (Jenkins 2006: 271). If transnational corporations took these steps and insured their corporate social responsibility to not harm the DRC then the DRC would improve and not have low economic development and high poverty rates. If transnational mining companies like Anvil took initiative in corporate social responsibility, then they could make progress though dimensions of sustainable development: economic development- investment by generating revenues to ensure the future development and long-term livelihood of the communities (ibid 271). With economic growth and jobs more infrastructure can be built like schools to educate children in the DRC and more hospitals to be built that will help people that are injured in armed conflicts. Also the environmental impact of natural resource exploitation should be minimized so that lands can be cultivated for more usage and such that the DRC is benefiting from their own resources not only transnational corporations
If the wealth filtered down the income per capita would increase and therefore the poverty levels would subside quite substantially. If the transnational corporations allowed the DRC to make profit from coltan mining instead of being greedy then money would be able to boost their GDP where they would have more money for infrastructure purposes and they would also have more money for spending. Also as consumers we need to be wary about the products we use and buy like the cell phone technology because it is fueling the ongoing conflict by creating demand for coltan. When consumers buy products that contain coltan in them, they are ultimately fueling the raging conflict in the