Analyzing stakeholder relations : a case study of the stakeholder dialogue in the Skarv Development : stakeholder identification and dialogue

Abstract

Focus on oil and gas in northern areas has received more and more attention in the last years. Increasing demands and tail end production at known and developed fields is the trigger for this focus. And the fact that it is estimated that 25% of the worlds remaining resources is located in the north, makes the areas very attractive for oil and gas companies. At the same time, northern areas are often linked with a harsh and vulnerable climate. And to safely operate in such areas, along side of fisheries, often bring barriers. The importance of stakeholder dialogue often proves crucial for the success of an establishment like an oil and gas operation in such areas. Skarv is such an establishment, and in this thesis we will look at, and analyze the dialogue in this particular field. We have used Stakeholder theory, Communication theory and Corporate Social Responsibility theory, to analyze the dialogue and identify the stakeholders BP, operator at Skarv, must consider in a development like Skarv. Our findings suggest that the implementation of some elements of the Communicative Arena can strengthen the dialogue between stakeholders and provide a sustainable development in the dialogue. Regarding stakeholder identification, our findings suggest the usage of the Stakeholder Salience model to identify and classify the stakeholders, because it provides a thorough examination of every stakeholder.