This thesis outlines the dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its importance for sustainable development in the region of Latin America. Two state-owned oil and gas companies,...Show moreThis thesis outlines the dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its importance for sustainable development in the region of Latin America. Two state-owned oil and gas companies, Petrobras in Brazil and Pemex in Mexico, are analyzed throughout the paper. These case studies establish that CSR is embedded in the contemporary socio-cultural structures of a country. Political practices of corruption in both cases hinder the positive impact the companies’ CSR agendas could potentially have on sustainable development. A final section concludes that the lack of enabling environments and strong governments hinders a potential positive link between CSR initiatives and sustainable development in Mexico and Brazil. Therefore, pressing issues of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation cannot be tackled by implementing CSR in its current form.Show less
