Summary
What strategy can a major company design and implement in the face of global environmental issues? In this case-study about oil industry and climate change, we identify different types of strategies and implementation tactics, with a specific emphasis on communication strategies.
We then discuss in details the strategies of three multinational oil corporations in the face of climate change: ExxonMobil, TotalFinaElf and BP Amoco. We emphasize the similarities and the differences among strategies, in particular in the communicational and managerial dimensions.
Required readings
• van den Hove, S., Le Menestrel, M. & de Bettignies, H.-C. (2002): “The oil industry and climate change: strategies and ethical dilemmas.” Climate Policy 2(1): 3-19.
Optional readings
Pedro de Almeida & Pedro D. Silva (2011), Timing and future consequences of the peak of oil production. Futures 43.
Question to prepare: Why are the proposed strategies similar and why they are significantly different?
