Exploring the relationship between corporate social responsibility, law and development in an African context (original) (raw)
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Corporate Social Responsibility: An Instrument of Social Economic Development in Nigeria
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming a popular tool of the twenty first century in business circles while it effects on communities and the role it plays in social development can never be overemphasised. While it is now being deployed as an instrument of social development in most developed countries, it is still at an evolutionary stage in most developing economies. In the case of Nigeria where a neo-classical economic approach of the international finance institutions like World Bank and the IMF is practiced like other developing economies, CSR is seen as a re-engineering tool to reinventing her hailing economy. Thus, social development through CSR is seen as a way of reducing poverty and bridging the seemingly inequality gap in the country. “Social development” is conceived as the multidimensional process that leads to sustainable improvements in the well-being of Individuals, families, communities and society as a whole in a context of justice and equity. It is a path that includes economic growth, improved competitiveness in the globalised economy, environmental sustainability, sustainable improvements in living conditions, reduction of poverty and inequality, and the development of human and social capital. This study explores the potential that private corporations have in fostering social development. It investigates the impact and effects of the CSR approach on communities and the role that they should play at reducing poverty. It contributes to the growing literature on CSR, in a yet relatively under-explored area. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Economic Development
This paper explored the major drivers of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice in Africa. In the process of explaining the nature of CSR it explained the evolutionary trend of CSR through the whole century and also touched on the CSR orientations and a recognized framework for determining the orientations through the four responsibilities or dimensions. The CSR orientations explained the priority accorded to some sets of activities representing the CSR practice of organizations in Africa from different literatures. The paper found out that CSR practice in Africa is determined by philanthropic responsibilities derived from cultural and religious practice in Africa. The practice of CSR as a strategy for achieving profitability, competitiveness, standard compliance, ethical and legal considerations, stakeholder management and engagement and achievement of sustainable development is less emphasized in the African context when compared to the western perspective of CSR practice.
CSR as corporate social responsibility or colonial structures return? A Nigeriancase study
International journal of sociology and anthropology, 2011
In this paper the impact of oil and gas companies in Nigeria is explored under the umbrella concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). At one level there is acknowledgement of greater emphasis on socially responsible policies. Nevertheless these are limited in scope and ambition and the energy sector continues to create social, environmental, cultural and political problems in the region. Focussing on the concept of CSR and lack of application should not however detract from the lack of engagement by the Nigerian government which has resulted in oil companies being held responsible for the failings of politicians. Instead the nature of the critique of the energy sector bears a striking resemblance to the demands against colonial rule. The crucial difference today though is that people are demanding greater control and regulation from the 'commercial colonialists' rather than less.
CHALLENGES OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA
T he Niger Delta Region of Nigeria produces a significant portion of the aggregate oil wealth of Nigeria. Since 1956 when oil was first struck in Oloibiri in Southern Nigeria, the Niger Delta region has accounted for over 90 per cent of Nigeria's oil income. However, the region has perennially suffered from environmental neglect, crumbling infrastructures and services, high unemployment, social deprivation, abject poverty and endemic conflict. This has led to calls for oil companies operating in the Niger Delta to demonstrate the value of their investments to Nigeria by undertaking increased community development initiatives that provide direct social benefits such as local employment , new infrastructure, schools, and improved health care delivery. This paper examines the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that is, how companies manage their oil exploration and business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. It reviews the evolution and growth of the CSR concept under international law and the key institutions that have spearheaded this growth. Since the emergence of the CSR concept in Nigeria, it has been espoused mainly as an optional and non-obligatory responsibility for oil companies. There is currently no national law in the area of CSR. More so, many of the International Corporate Responsibility Instruments, such as, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises ; United Nations (UN) Global Compact and the 1998 ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work are soft law instruments with less binding status in international law and by extension in Nigeria. This paper examines the need for a more coherent and binding recognition of the CSR principle in Nigeria. In a country such as Nigeria, where the principles and benefits of democratic governance are still fragile, there is a need for a dynamic and step-wise approach through which the CSR concept could be continually mainstreamed into national laws and policies.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Business-Community Relations in Africa: the Case of Ethiopia
Journal of Advanced Research in Economics and Administrative Sciences, 2020
Purpose: study aimed to assess the Corporate Social Responsibility practices, business-community relations, and the missing links in Corporate Social Responsibility-community development in Ethiopia. Approach/Methodology/Design: Case study and thematic analysis of data on 45 structured interviews of key informants from federal and regional government, companies, and local community was collected, transcribed, and analyzed to identify the current CSR practices and consequences, and the missing links in CSR-community development interface. Findings: The CSR is ad-hoc philanthropy activity based on neo-liberal and voluntary approach motivated by market performance, reputation and image building objectives. There is no community development orientation, no social and environmental impacts. There are tax dodging, deforestation, water and chemical pollutions, britches of labor and community rights, CSiRs; National indigenous culture based community development oriented mandatory CSR policy, coordinating agency, engaging community, measuring the implementation, rewarding good CSR performance and punishing CSiRs. Practical Implications: The study has implications for academics, managers, policy makers, public administrators, community activists and leaders. It contributes to CSR approach in developing countries, CSR theories, thinking, and practice in African context, the business community relations, the business management approaches, scope of stakeholders, in improving CSR to contribute to community development. Originality/value: This study's originality lies in bringing Ethnic diversity, federal-regional government, political history, collective rights, power of community and nationalism in CSR to the front.
Corporate social responsibility in nigeria
The interplay necessary for growth and sustainable development in many developing nations, Nigeria inclusive, remains a discretionary affair. This paper debates on the history, the current position, and the future of C.S.R in Nigeria.
Regulation and Enforcement of Corporate Social Responsibility in Corporate Nigeria
Journal of African Law, 2017
It is usually assumed that there is sufficient legislation to regulate the Nigerian business community and combat corporate irresponsibility and that the challenge lies in lackadaisical enforcement by regulators. This article queries this assumption and analyses the corporate social responsibility (CSR) regulatory landscape in corporate Nigeria. It depicts a bleak picture of weak regulation, faulty legal transplantation of foreign principles, a lackadaisical attitude to enforcement, double operational standards from multinational enterprises, and incoherence and policy disparity between CSR regulatory provisions in primary legislation on the one hand and their subsidiary laws on the other. It argues that the challenge lies in faulty and disjointed legislation grossly undermined by fallacious legal transplantation. The article concludes by offering an agenda for the harmonization of the disjointed CSR framework in highlighted primary and subsidiary legislation, in line with best inte...
Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria: Western Mimicry Or Indigenous Influences?
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000
Drawing empirical evidence from indigenous firms, this study explores the meaning and practice of CSR in Nigeria. It was found that indigenous firms perceive and practise CSR as corporate philanthropy aimed at addressing socio-economic development challenges in Nigeria. This finding confirms that CSR is a localised and socially embedded construct, as the 'waves', 'issues' and 'modes' of CSR practices identified amongst indigenous firms in Nigeria reflect the firms' responses to their socio-economic context. It is anticipated that this paper will add to the body of knowledge on CSR, especially as it relates to Africa, which has a relatively dearth of literature on CSR; and provide some insights to multinational firms operating in Nigeria.