Philanthropy's role in mediating the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable corporate performance (SCP) in Zimbabwe's service sector: Evidence from managerial cognition (original) (raw)
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2023
This research paper examines the connection between corporate social responsibility and corporate social performance in the service-based enterprises sector in Zimbabwe. The existing literature lacks consensus on how CSR initiatives can enhance competitiveness, particularly in social business orientation. The study proposes three theories highlighting environmental, social, and governance frameworks as critical elements for achieving sustainable performance in these organisations. The data for this study were collected using a cross-sectional research design. 650 participants who hold senior managerial positions in their organisations in the Harare region completed an online questionnaire. The SmartPLS 4.0 software was used to analyse data and apply the partial least squares approach. This approach helped identify the interrelationships among the measurement components. The empirical results highlight the significance of environmental and philanthropic factors as key drivers of sustainable competitiveness. These findings can assist in strategically managing corporate social responsibility by enabling companies to tailor their social engagement strategies to local environments and specific company contexts. Our research findings can potentially assist managers in developing countries to prioritise their corporate social responsibility activities beyond the charitable quest. By doing so, they can effectively distinguish their engagement and social business initiatives from other organisations in the market.
The paper seeks to assess Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Activities by corporate in Zimbabwe as a case study of developing countries. A survey research approach was adopted to gather qualitative descriptive data from a convenience sample of 96 company executives from 20 companies most of which were parastatals at a university training program using a self-administered questionnaire to gather descriptive qualitative data. Findings showed that 90% of the corporate organisations participate in corporate social responsibility of which 80% of the organisations in Zimbabwe concentrate on philanthropic activities (those with a short term solution). It was concluded that corporates and their Non Governmental Organisations counterparts, participate in CSR but their activities have only short to medium term benefits to the community, therefore philanthropic. It was recommended that corporate leaders adopt the CSR concept which goes beyond philanthropy and contribute towards sustainable development.
The major aim of this study was to examine the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on business performance using a sample of 50 firms operating in Zimbabwe. What prompted the study are the underlying adverse general macroeconomic conditions prevailing in Zimbabwe. More specifically the study investigated the CSR activities done by firms operating in Bindura and their impact on corporate image and performance. Numerous scholars have observed an escalation in CSR investments proving a worldwide growing interest in the concept. Companies are spending large amounts of money in their commitments to the local communities, work places and market places. The methodology used in this paper employed a descriptive research design. 50 questionnaires were distributed to the most senior managers of the 50 chosen firms and another set of questionnaires was distributed to a sample of 100 members of the public randomly selected. Data analysis was done using regression and correlation analyses utilising the SPSS software. CSR activities done by Zimbabwean firms are diverse and range from sponsoring disadvantaged children's education, sporting activities, training and supporting local SMEs, protecting the environment, poverty alleviation through job creation, construction of schools, computer laboratories for students, to road maintenance activities. The findings show that a positive relationship exists between CSR and performance; and also between CSR and corporate image creation. Zimbabwean firms which invest in CSR are set to outperform those that do not because CSR is being used as a social marketing tool.
Business and Management Studies
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has remained topical and contentious as various schools of thought are put forward on its relationship to cost versus profitability for businesses. This study explored the relevance of CSR and its effect on the survival of businesses during an economic meltdown in Zimbabwe. The study purposively sampled 31 companies that are listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and have sound CSR programmes. A total of 93 questionnaires were administered and a Chi-square was conducted to test and establish the relationship between CSR strategies and business survival. The study concluded that companies with CSR strategies had a higher chance of surviving during turbulent times. Following the findings of the study, it is recommended that government comes up with CSR policies for different industries and that organisations continue investing in CSR especially in times of economic challenges.
International Journal of Financial Studies, 2022
The objective of this paper is to analyze the relationship between the social and environmental practices of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the economic–financial, social, and environmental performance in Mozambican companies, from the managers’ perspectives. The data were collected from a sample of 227 companies through a survey questionnaire. We used structural equation modelling to analyze how the managers correlate the different social and environmental practices with performance at the financial, social, and environmental levels. The results showed that the relationship between all major components of the social and environmental practices, and the economic–financial, social, and environmental performance is positive but insignificant with the exception of the social practices of community support, which has a weak relationship with the economic–financial performance, environmental performance, and social performance, as well as the environmental practices. The data...
The research investigates whether corporate social responsibility has influenced the tax base, client’s compliant levels, employee motivation and general understanding and appreciation of what the taxman does. The objectives of the research is to determine if corporate social responsibility enhances ZIMRAs reputation, establish if there is a link between corporate social responsibility and revenue collection, establish stakeholder perceptions on ZIMRAs corporate social responsibility, and to find strategies on how to improve CSR activities at ZIMRA. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative designs in each approach. The research was quantitative since the research was to identify a statistical relationship between corporate social responsibility and revenue collection, stakeholder perception and reputation, and if strategies improve ZIMRAs corporate social responsibility. The qualitative paradigm was also used to triangulate results from the questionnaires. The study established that for a quasi-government organisation like ZIMRA that as revenue increases CSR expenditure decreases. It also established that CSR improves ZIMRA’s reputation and stakeholder perception whilst strategy improves ZIMRAs corporate social responsibility. The study recommends Smart Partnering, engaging in internal CSR, standardising CSR and increase of donations. Areas for further study involve looking at the place of state owned enterprises in CSR activities, especially those that have an environmental effect. The place and role of parastatals or state – owned enterprises in CSR issues need further research to establish the levels of CSR that they have to engage in as a prescription to easing socio – economic problems faced by society.
Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Competitive Advantage: A Case of Newmont Ghana Limited
International Journal of Management, 2021
Corporate Social Responsibility has taken part in the operations of businesses, but there is a need for research on why CSR is and how advantageous it is for a firm in a competitive market. The paper investigated the use of CSR as a stronghold for firms in a competitive environment using Newmont Ghana Limited as a case study. The study further seeks to identify the impact of Newmont Ghana's CSR activities and its impact on both the firm's output and reputational image. These objectives are explored through the evaluation of the effect of Newmont Ghana's CSR activities. Using a purposive and convenient sampling method, 120 questionnaires, both open and close-ended questions, were distributed to the employees of Newmont Ghana across all levels. The questionnaires were collected and analyzed. The outcome showed that corporate social responsibility gives Newmont Ghana an advantage in positioning and diminishing of competitive attack in the market. Also, the results showed that Newmont Ghana's CSR activities have a positive impact on its reputation at both the local and national level. Also, CSR activities had a positive impact on its output as it draws in more investors and makes them perform better. The study recommended that firms should integrate CSR into their basic operations and to educate their employees on the firm's social responsibilities, the general public should be educated on the different duties of all other actors, and the topic should be expanded to include all firms in the mining industry in Ghana and how they benefit from CSR.
Taxila International Journal, 2020
The study comparatively evaluates the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Profitability in the Energy, Telecommunication, and Transport industries in Ghana. The study adopted a quantitative research approach through a cross-sectional survey design to sample 50 employees from VRA, MTN Ghana, and CETSED Content and regression analysis were utilized for analysis of the research objectives/hypotheses stipulated by the study. A five-point closed-ended Likert Scale self-administrable structured questionnaire and researcher guide to aid participants answer relevant questions was used to confirm that innovations in strategic stakeholder engagement fuelled increases in corporate bottom-line of selected companies. The four major steps of analyzing data collected from Atkinson's (2002) categories of quantitative data analysis was used, following which the primary data/information gathered and coded was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences to guarantee validity and reliability of the various investigations conducted. The hierarchical multiple regression of the Baron and Kenny's (1986) procedure was also adopted to analyse for study the mediating effect of innovation on the relationship between strategic stakeholder engagement and corporate bottom-line. The study discovered a statistically significant positive influence of perceptions of CSR towards the customers on organization's image in general. The energy and transport industry observed a greater significant influence of employee perceptions of CSR towards customers on organization's image as compared to the telecommunication sector which was not significant.