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, Sybille, Le Menestrel, Marc & de Bettignies, Henri-Claude. “Should Business Influence the Science and Politics of Global Environmental Change? The Oil Industry and Climate Change – Case A”. INSEAD Case Study N° 4957, 2001.
• Meacher, Michael: “The planet’s polluters should be put in the dock”, in The Guardian, October 25, 2003.
Handed out in class
• van den Hove, Sybille, Le Menestrel, Marc & de Bettignies, Henri-Claude. “Should Business Influence the Science and Politics of Global Environmental Change? The Oil Industry and Climate Change – Case B”. INSEAD Case Study N° 4957, 2001.
Optional readings
Pedro de Almeida & Pedro D. Silva (2011), Timing and future consequences of the peak of oil production. Futures 43.
Question to prepare: Is there a difference among the different proposed strategies?
