The aim of my research is to understand what is it exactly that defines how corporate legitimacy is created. The research engages in the following research questions: What is the role of stakeholder dialogue in the creation of corporate legitimacy? How is legitimacy upheld in the public sphere through media representations? And how can companies and locals, learn to work side-by-side before costly and damaging conflicts emerge? Legitimacy is looked at from three different perspectives: first, the organizational legitimacy or "the generalized perception or assumption that the actions are desirable within a socially constructed system of norms, values, beliefs, and definitions" (Suchman 1995:574); second, the democratic legitimacy ("consent of the governed") in terms of stakeholders giving their consent to the corporations to be present in their communities; and third, legitimacy as the outcome of a place-bound social imaginary (Taylor, 2002) and the capacity of an organization to sustain and maintain the reproduction of life (Dussel, 2013) within that particular imaginary and place.

Team

The multidisciplinary research project explores achievements and challenges of educational equity policies, processes and practices in Tanzania. The project focuses on socio-cultural interpretations of the meaning of education for girls and women, including girls and women with disabilities. The studies analyse experience and perceptions of girls and women, who have succeeded to continue their educational path up to secondary and higher education, on the meaning of education in their lives. The project aims at providing a research-based complementary perspective to the education sector development process in Tanzania, and enhancing the role of research in stakeholder dialogue on education, gender and inclusive education.

Team

Team leader Elina Lehtomäki, Adjunct Professor/Docent, University Researcher, Ph.D. (Education)Adviser Research Advisor Commissioner, Prof. Eustella Bhalalusesa, Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, Tanzania Researchers: Ms Magreth Matonya, Ms Mari-Anne Okkolin, Ms Hanna Posti-Ahokas