Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Sterlite Copper’s Nemesis: Misreading th...

Rai, Rajnish

Case

Sterlite Copper’s Nemesis: Misreading the Politics of Policy (B)

Rai, Rajnish

IIMA-PSG0145(B) | Published April 21, 2023 | 5 pages Case

Collection: Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

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Learning Objectives

Since its establishment in 1994 in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, Sterlite Copper was mired in several controversies, including flagrant violation of compliance norms, causing extensive environmental degradation and health hazards. Sterlite Copper faced stiff opposition from the local community when it announced expansion of its production capacity in 2018. On May 22, 2018, the agitation took a violent turn when the police fired at protesters demanding the permanent closure of the plant, resulting in the death of 13 people. Using Wilson’s interest group matrix, this case examines the impact of interest group activity on the policy politics process, the importance for businesses to interpret the policy politics process and its transitions, and how the strategies of different actors need to be responsive to the policy politics to prevent conflicts from escalating into crisis and tragedy.

Understand what interest groups are and the impact of interest group activity on the policy politics process; Understand the importance for businesses to interpret the policy politics process and its transitions; Understand how the strategies of different actors need to be responsive to the policy politics to prevent conflicts from escalating into crisis and tragedy; Understand the actions that actors can take in the aftermath of tragedy and violence to advance their interests.