international conflict and security

Comparative Advantage  | Assignment Log  | Sample Case Studies

Case study 1: Stakeholder Engagement – Energy Company in Russia

In 2006-2007, INCAS Consulting was commissioned by one of the world’s leading energy companies to review engagement processes with external stakeholders regarding new projects in East Siberia. The range of measures we implemented to complete the brief involved:

• We conducted an internal review of the stakeholder engagement process, including taking stock of corporate instruments and capacities with recommendations to the top management
• We engaged with key stakeholders including key e-NGOs to suggest that an imminent media campaign is suspended until a comprehensive independent study is conducted
• We invited the leading scientists and independent research institutions to design and carry out a study following jointly-owned ToR, elaborated by our team and e-NGOs together
• We convened a series of roundtable meetings to seek third party verification and endorsement for the jointly-owned approach to the study, taking all key aspects unto account
• The study was managed by our team and delivered results that were recognised and respected by all key stakeholders. A key result was acceptance of the pipeline route that suited the interests of the company and was socially and environmentally the safest
• In the course of the engagement, the company significantly reduced social risks associated with an $18 billion project as well as strengthened its reputation vis-à-vis an environmental NGO community and indigenous peoples’ organisations

As a result of this exercise, the company adopted a reputation management strategy INCAS proposed. Implementation of this strategy helped prevent a potentially damaging campaign by an alliance of environmental and social NGOs. This was achieved by constructive dialogue, which the NGOs later referred to as “exemplary”. These results were achieved in less than 18 months and were successfully replicated for two other major projects in West and East Siberia.

Case-study 2: Stabilisation Strategy – African Government

In 2007, INCAS Consulting was asked by the leadership of an African country to support its development of a stabilisation strategy for a region affected by high levels of armed violence.

The process involved the following steps:

• We assessed armed violence dynamics – both at a micro (“hotspot”) and macro (key drivers) level, along with government capabilities/ willingness to handle the issues
• We developed a range of field and political scenarios to determine priorities and assess what kind of reactions could be expected by different stakeholders
• We discussed with the client what were governmental “must wins” – and which battles “could be lost” in strategy implementation
• We activated our donor networks to understand where international support would be most forthcoming
• We prepared a strategy matrix that covered what should be done, who should do it, and when, narrowing this down to a strategy for the “must wins”
• We defined a process and worked through it with the client to implement the “must win” strategy

The stabilisation strategy was developed over an eight month period and involved a small team of INCAS experts.