Shell's Environmental Impact in Nigeria

Running Head: Report of Applied Business Research Problem 1
Essay/Report of an applied business research problem or opportunity
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Report of Applied Business Research Problem 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Royal Dutch Shell plc has been one of the leading producers of petroleum products in
Nigeria. However, their operations have often been marred by unaccountability and
environmental pollution. Their business has resulted in a numerous social implications on the
local population, especially in the Niger Delta region. This report intends to examine the extent
of Shell’s activities on the social life of Niger Delta locals.
The report consists of different parts, with the introduction part giving the overview of the study,
and the topic under investigation. There is the study objectives part which elaborates on the
intentions the research aims to achieve. The literature review revisits the works of various
authors in regards to the chosen topic, and then there are the research methods of collecting data,
the findings and discussion and finally the conclusion of the report. The report has employed a
combination of primary and secondary research methods in a bid to cover the study in a more
elaborate way.

Report of Applied Business Research Problem 3
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................ 2
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 4
THE STUDY OBJECTIVES.............................................................................................. 5
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................... 6
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY......................................................................................... 8
Administering of Questionnaires....................................................................................... 8
Use of Interviews.......................................................................................................... 8
Use of the Pre-Existing Data/ Survey.................................................................................9
SAMPLING TECHNIQUES............................................................................................... 9
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS AND DISCUSSION..............................................................9
Corruption and Lack of Accountability............................................................................. 10
Political Instabilities.................................................................................................... 11
Increased Environmental Pollution.................................................................................. 12
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.................................................................................... 13
References................................................................................................................... 14

Report of Applied Business Research Problem 4
Analysis: the Social Impacts of Shell Operations in Nigeria’s Niger Delta
INTRODUCTION
The effects of the oil business in African countries have been significantly apparent.
Petroleum oil popularly known as the black gold is one of the most sought-after mineral
products. In Africa, the leading countries such as Nigeria, Libya and Angola among others have
hugely benefited from the economic impacts of the oil businesses (European Parliament 2011).
However, the oil has brought both the blessings and the curses to the oil-rich countries. This has
been evident with the increased rate of social injustices and political unrests that have led to
ethnic clashes especially in countries like Nigeria with the Niger Delta oil conflicts.
The social impacts of many oil drilling companies have affected the local societies in
different ways. Shifting our focus to Nigeria; the oil conflicts have had a lasting impact on the
local population in a variety of ways. The Royal Dutch Shell plc in Nigeria has been one of the
leading companies in oil exploration and production, operating in Nigeria since 1957. The
company operates through its subsidiary Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), in
association with other players in the oil industry. However, in these long durations of operation,
the Shell Company has been involved in a series of court cases in relation to the environmental
degradation, financial scandals as well as the political interference.
The company has been accused of supporting the government to emphatically suppress
the opposition groups who are against the exploration and oil production in the country (Aling
2013). Over this period, many social and civil rights organization groups have filed hundreds of
cases against Shell’s oil spillages that have proved to be a huge environmental menace (Kadafa
2012). Nevertheless, social benefits such as the creation of employment to the locals, and
development of social amenities have been some of the notable contributions of the company.