Landmines and international business community: a political ecology perspective

摘要

Purpose – The two decades of civil war have left Angola plagued with about ten millions landmines, causing destructions to human conditions and communities. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to create awareness of the landmine-related problems among the business community and propose strategies to tackle them. Design/methodology/approach – Using the theory of political ecology – an approach that represents an ever-changing dynamic tension between ecology and human change, and between diverse communities within society – this paper analyzes the political environment that led to the plantation of landmines and examines how the collective action of governments, nongovernmental organizations and businesses communities can create awareness, rehabilitate victims and support new technologies. Findings – The findings suggest the following strategies to business communities to alleviate the problem of landmines: create landmine awareness in society and the business community; provide economic assistance to landmine victims for rehabilitation; and donate landmine excavators. Practical implications – The practical implications for managers are that they can implement the strategies to improve the prevailing human conditions of the communities in Angola. Originality/value – This study originally contributes in that it highlights the problems associated with landmines and brings them to the attention of international business community and proposes a three-pronged strategy to deal with them.