The Kraken Wakes: corporate social responsibility and the political dynamics of the hazardous waste issue

Abstract

Smith D., 1991. The Kraken Wakes: corporate social responsibility and the political dynamics of the hazardous waste issue. Industrial Crisis Quarterly, 5: 189-207.

The issue of hazardous waste disposal has assumed international importance since the Karin B episode propelled it fully onto the global political agenda. This paper seeks to examine the transfers of such waste streams by reference to the issues of corporate responsibility and the role of technical expertise within environmental debates. The paper examines two cases, namely the Karin B / Nigeria waste dumping episode (1988) and the export of Canadian PCB waste to the UK (1989), in an attempt to assess the notions of equity in environmen tal conflicts. Within this context the role of technical expertise will be exam ined in an attempt to assess its impact within the framework of corporate re sponsibility for hazardous waste disposal.

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