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Conflict Minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Part of the Pentalemma Series on Managing Global Dilemmas

by Dylan Scudder (Author)
©2020 Prompt XVI, 94 Pages

Summary

Against the backdrop of an increasingly globalized business environment, this book provides readers with a pragmatic approach to international management of complex issues that arise from the tension between fiduciary and ethical priorities. If the challenge of management is making decisions in situations of uncertainty, Conflict Minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the ultimate test of finding business solutions in extremely volatile situations. Based on firsthand experience and years of rigorous research, this book leverages a real-world case of a global tech company grappling with the dilemma of whether to continue sourcing a vital mineral in the conflict-affected region of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the risk of ruining its reputation or to suffer the immediate financial consequences of pulling out. Putting readers in the role of consultants to a client operating in the area lets them experience defining moments of managing with limited information, time pressure and a dwindling budget. Almost as if „parachuting“ into an escalating conflict scenario, readers form critical relationships with characters that introduce them to management tools and techniques they need to arrive at a successful conclusion. The excitement and intensity of Conflict Minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo equips business leaders of today and tomorrow with valuable know-how they can apply to the uncertainties of everyday business in an international context.

Table Of Contents

  • Cover
  • Title
  • Copyright
  • Epigraph
  • About the author
  • About the book
  • This eBook can be cited
  • Contents
  • Figures
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • Introduction
  • 1. Defining the Problem
  • 2. Analyzing Costs and Benefits
  • 3. Brainstorming Solutions
  • Conclusion
  • Other Books by This Author

Preface

Conflict Minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo provides readers with a hands-on approach to dealing with the complexities unique to international management. The book draws strategically on this complexity to help readers cultivate greater critical thinking. It goes beyond the usual static business decisions related to setting the right price or memorizing truisms of management, choosing instead compelling real-world cases that require detailed deliberation and creative problem-solving. While the book has been fictionalized, it draws on firsthand fieldwork and rigorous research on actual business cases.

Each of the three chapters starts with a brief background of the context and the company, and then confronts the reader with a formidable and escalating challenge to work through. The scenarios include a high degree of complexity that companies often face in fragile environments, whether in developing or industrialized countries.

With a focus on cross-sector collaboration and managing the tensions between financial, social and environmental priorities, the book helps readers learn how to develop creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable dilemmas. It contributes in this way to management ←xi | xii→skills as well as to the knowledge needed to resolve issues in economic development, peace and conflict studies, political science, international relations and related fields.

Although the topics deal with high levels of complexity, they are written in an engaging and accessible way for both current and future managers interested in stakeholder management, business in developing countries, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), sustainable business, international entrepreneurship, strategic leadership and global business issues.

Conflict Minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo is written as a trilogy to let readers experience how a business challenge evolves over three distinct phases in one location. This design enables readers to “stack” their learning from one part of the book to another. As business issues take on an increasingly global character, the material is organized to help the next generation of business leaders prepare for a wide range of scenarios in uniquely challenging environments.

Details

Pages
XVI, 94
Year
2020
ISBN (PDF)
9781433175626
ISBN (ePUB)
9781433175633
ISBN (MOBI)
9781433175640
ISBN (Hardcover)
9781433175619
DOI
10.3726/b16467
Language
English
Publication date
2020 (March)
Published
New York, Bern, Berlin, Bruxelles, Oxford, Wien, 2020. XVI, 94 pp., 3 b/w ill.

Biographical notes

Dylan Scudder (Author)

Dylan Scudder has worked on every continent besides the Antarctic, which is next on his list. With an MA in conflict studies, a PhD in executive decision-making, five years with the UN, and over 15 years in corporate training, he uses books as learning adventures for business leaders.

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112 pages