Empowering local communities: CSR communication strategies and NGO engagement in the Indonesian oil and gas sector

Abstract

The Bojonegoro Regency in Indonesia’s East Java province holds great potential in the oil and gas sector, which is important for supporting the regional economy. This study set out to determine how oil and gas companies communicate corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes to stakeholders by analysing the motives behind involving local NGOs in implementing CSR and comparing communication approaches between the multinational oil company ExxonMobil Cepu Limited and domestic gas company PT Pertamina EP Cepu. Thematic mapping was utilised to visualise the relationships between the main themes constructed from the data. The findings highlight the key role of local NGOs in managing CSR, namely serving as communication channels, empowering beneficiaries, and maintaining a strong performance track record that is closely linked to oil mining locations. NGOs also fulfil a dual role, namely carrying out tasks that may prioritise corporate interests over community welfare, and acting as contractors or project partners for implementing programmes that may differ from their original mission.