Forest Companies' Social Responsibility and Recognition of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples : Thematic analysis of Metsä Group & Stora Enso's CSR reports

This thesis examines the ways two significant Finnish forest companies Metsä Group and Stora Enso recognise Indigenous Peoples in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting and how this has developed between reports from years 2014, 2019, and 2024. The focus of this thesis is especially around the recognition of Indigenous Peoples and their rights and analysing how the companies communicate their responsibilities and impacts towards the Indigenous Peoples, as well as the engagement practices adopted by the companies. The data of this thesis consists of eight publicly available CSR reports from the two case companies. The materials produced by document analysis offers a way to make comparisons not just between the two companies, but also between different years on a ten-year period. The analysis draws from a mixed method combined of inductive thematic analysis as well as elements from critical discourse analysis. This combination allows this thesis to identify patterns, meanings, priorities but also silences from the companies’ language surrounding Indigenous Peoples. Four main themes were identified in the coding process of the thematic analysis: 1. Recognition of Indigenous Peoples and their livelihoods 2. Indigenous Peoples as stakeholders and rights-holders 3. Standards and requirements 4. Risk and impact management. The findings show differences in how Metsä Group and Stora Enso address Indigenous Peoples over time. Stora Enso’s way is more consistent with earlier and more detailed engagement already from the first examination year 2014. Metsä Group shows little to no recognition of Indigenous Peoples in their reporting until 2024, showing the effects of CSRD implementation as the requirements indicate more systematic reporting among the companies. Both companies show increased recognition of Indigenous Peoples and their rights across time, shifting from non-existing and general stakeholder language towards more explicit and detailed recognition. This thesis contributes to understanding CSR reporting more widely in the contexts involving Indigenous peoples beyond the boundaries of the forest sector, showing how corporates shape the recognition of Indigenous Peoples through their reporting narratives, and how different drivers shape the CSR reporting.

Grantor dc:publisher

Helsingin yliopisto

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Konttila, Meri

• alkuperäiskansat
• yritysvastuu
• yhteiskuntavastuu
• raportointi
• metsäteollisuus
• temaattinen analyysi

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright 1.0

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10138/629757

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:helda.helsinki.fi:10138/629757