ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the paradigms natural resources companies use to shape and implement their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities are of crucial significance in how they deal with community-level conflict. It focuses on the use of CSR strategies to address these conflicts with a foundation in one or more of the following paradigms: Neoliberal Economic, Risk Management and Human Rights. The chapter discusses paradigms and the development of a conceptual framework provides ways to look at how these three CSR paradigms are different from a paradigm of positive peace. It shows that the choice of paradigm one employs has the potential to prioritise and lead to particular outcomes. Paradigms have significantly influenced the evolution and revolution of ideas, scientific thought and human development. Consequently, Masterman's interpretation of Thomas Kuhn's concepts of paradigms and paradigm shifts are used to articulate paradigms influencing CSR practice in the natural resources context.
