Conflict Minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Dylan Scudder
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Dylan Scudder
Conflict Minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Part of the Pentalemma Series on Managing Global Dilemmas
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Scudder, Dylan, author.
Title: Conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Part of the Pentalemma series on managing global dilemmas / Dylan Scudder.
Description: New York: Peter Lang, 2020.
Includes bibliographical references.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019041661 | ISBN 978-1-4331-7561-9 (hardback: alk. paper)
ISBN 978-1-4331-7562-6 (ebook pdf)
ISBN 978-1-4331-7563-3 (epub) | ISBN 978-1-4331-7564-0 (mobi)
Subjects: LCSH: Mines and mineral resources—Political aspects— Congo (Democratic Republic) | Mineral industries—Corrupt practices—Congo (Democratic Republic) | Mineral industries—Economic aspects— Congo (Democratic Republic) | Business logistics. | Social responsibility of business.
Classification: LCC HD9506.C75 S29 | DDC 338.2096751—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019041661
DOI 10.3726/b16467
Bibliographic information published by Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek.
Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the “Deutsche Nationalbibliografie”; detailed bibliographic data are available on the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de/.
This publication has been peer reviewed and meets the highest quality standards for content and production.
© 2020 Peter Lang Publishing, Inc., New York
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All rights reserved.
Reprint or reproduction, even partially, in all forms such as microfilm, xerography, microfiche, microcard, and offset strictly prohibited.
I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.
—Socrates
About the 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.
About the book
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.
This eBook can be cited
This edition of the eBook can be cited. To enable this we have marked the start and end of a page. In cases where a word straddles a page break, the marker is placed inside the word at exactly the same position as in the physical book. This means that occasionally a word might be bifurcated by this marker.
Contents
2. Analyzing Costs and Benefits
3. Brainstorming Solutions
Conclusion
Other Books by This Author
←vii | viii→ ←viii | ix→
Figure 1.1: Office locations of Speedy Devices and Pentalemma Inc.
Figure 1.2: Forecasted prices for tantalite ore over the next five years.
Figure 2.1: Cost benefit matrix based on impact and effort.
←ix | x→←x | xi→
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