Role of public policies in promoting CSR: empirical evidence from business and civil society of UAE

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1107-1123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Almatrooshi ◽  
Matloub Hussain ◽  
Mian Ajmal ◽  
Muhammad Tehsin
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Important Approach ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Hierarchy Process

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the intermediary roles that public policies play in stimulating government agencies, businesses and civil society to engage in a corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda.Design/methodology/approachIssues related to decision-making of public policies are increasingly complex. Therefore, analytical hierarchy process has been used to prioritize public policy practices for CSR in the UAE. Data were collected from experts working in businesses and civil society organizations.FindingsFindings suggest that businesses and the civil society confirm the importance of standardization and law enforcement public policy practices in issues related to CSR in developing countries. The endorsing style of public policies was the least important approach to encouraging CSR implementation in the UAE.Research limitations/implicationsResults are derived from a limited amount of empirical data only in one country; therefore, these cannot be generalized. Future research from other countries is needed.Practical implicationsOutcomes from this study will help the government enhance its role as mediator among all agents and help with designing public policies that encourage adoption of CSR by business firms while maintaining competitiveness in the economy.Originality/valueA framework consisting of five public policy categories – mandating, facilitating, partnering, endorsing and empowering roles – and 29 sub-policy practices is introduced. This study provides an important technique for analyzing the importance of public policies in promoting CSR. It offers insights into a population that shapes a CSR agenda.

Corporate social responsibility: is it an alternative to government?

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Xavier Dery Tuokuu ◽  
Kwesi Amponsah-Tawiah
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained global prominence in recent years. This is because businesses have seen the need to consider the interests of stakeholders not only to enhance their corporate image but also to live good neighbourly lives with the communities in which they operate. The purpose of this paper is to examine the value of engaging stakeholders and recommend multinational corporations not to take over the governance of countries in which they operate as a result of their financial muscle but to play complementary roles to help in the development of those countries. Although CSR is no longer new in Africa according to recent studies, it is suffering from identity crisis, as it has been used generally and severally to refer to different issues. This conceptual paper discusses the notion of CSR practice in Africa and the major issues and debates around it. It looks at the role of government and civil society organisations that are at the forefront playing watchdog and vigilante roles for the benefit of the society. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper. Findings The paper argues that business and society cannot exist without working together and that responsible business is key to sustainable development. It traces the roots of CSR and the emergence of the concept. It advises that what is required in Africa is for the media and civil society organizations to play watchdog and vigilante roles in ensuring that businesses are socially responsible, accountable and transparent. If governments and businesses are transparent and accountable, then the citizens become the greatest beneficiary. The profit margins of businesses will also increase and there will be sustainable development. The paper also indicates that the concept of CSR is gaining grounds in Africa and is no longer new as indicated by previous studies. It recommends that Africa should have its own CSR programmes designed to fit into the African setting. The paper examines the major issues and debates on CSR and concludes that any attempt to introduce uniform laws to ensure responsible business operations universally will not work as situations differ from country to country. The overreliance on corporate entities, particularly Multinational corporations (MNCs) and transnational corporation (TNCs), for the direct development of African economies is not sustainable, as these corporate entities cannot continue to fulfil these obligations meant for the development of infrastructure and still be expected to provide basic amenities for communities under the guise of fulfilling CSR. This process of national development is unsustainable. Originality/value The paper recommends a multi-stakeholder approach in designing and implementing CSR programmes. The government, civil society, community and the company should collaborate and constantly have stakeholder engagements as that are the only way of attaining a win-win benefit. MNCs and TNCs should see the government and other stakeholders as partners in development and not lord it over them as a result of their financial muscle. It is recommended that more research work be done in CSR education in Africa. This is to enable business operators and communities understand the true meaning of CSR and to know that the concept goes beyond philanthropy or donations. It will also help them understand that the concept goes beyond community relations to include issues such as human rights, child labour, environmental governance and corporate tax among others.

Prioritization of financial performance determinants in Indian SMEs

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-190
Author(s):  
Vishal Vyas ◽  
Priyanka Jain
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Competitive Strategies ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Determinants ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Hierarchy Process ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose This study aims to quantify and prioritize the financial performance (FP) determinants in Indian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach Analytic hierarchy process, a multi-criteria decision-making tool, was used. Experts were allowed to express the opinion regarding the relative importance of each factor and sub-factors by making pairwise comparisons through a structured questionnaire based on a nine-point scale. Findings Market orientation (0.4529) was perceived as the most important FP determinant followed by the entrepreneurial orientation (0.3382) and corporate social responsibility (0.2089) in SMEs. Research limitations/implications This study can be considered as a pilot study because it is confined to Indian SMEs. Future research studies can incorporate the opinion or insights of other stakeholders and may target the SMEs situated in different geographical areas. Practical implications The inferences drawn in this study would clarify the conceptual and contextual applicability of competitive strategies in SMEs. Indeed, proposed hierarchy and developed framework would guide the SMEs in strategic planning. Moreover, it would help in repositioning and alignment of core strategies duly with business objectives. Originality/value The study represents the foremost step and a unique effort in the area of development of hypothetical model (a hierarchal model) with the framework considered to prioritize the FP determinants in SMEs.

Corporate social responsibility disclosures in Malaysia: evidence from large companies

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 177-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelkader Sadou ◽  
Fardous Alom ◽  
Hayatullah Laluddin
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Government Ownership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is any improvement in the extent and quality of corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRD) in Malaysia between 2011 and 2014 and to determine the factors that influence the extent and quality of CSRD in these two years. Also, this study examines the methods of disclosures and the items that largest Malaysian companies addressed. Design/methodology/approach A self-constructed CSR is utilised to measure the extent and quality of CSRD in the annual reports of the top 71 Malaysian companies listed in Bursa Malaysia for the years 2011 and 2014. Multiple regressions along with their associated toolkits for data verification and diagnostic tests are used to assess the improvement in CSRD between 2011 and 2014 and the factors that affect CSRD. Findings Results show a slight increase in the extent and quality of CSRD between 2011 and 2014. With regards to the factors influencing CSRD, only awards are found to be significant in determining the extent and quality of CSRD either in 2011 or in 2014. Board size, ownership concentration, independent non-executives and return on assets influence both the extent and quality of CSRD in 2011. Director ownership and firm size determine the extent and quality of CSRD in 2014. Government ownership only influences the extent of CSRD in 2011. Research limitations/implications Some traditional limitations are found to be considered in future research, such as the use of annual reports as the only source of CSRD information. Results support the legitimacy theory that assumes that Malaysian companies disclose CSR information as a reflection of the incidents that happen in that environment of the firm without ignoring the role of the government in pushing those companies towards being socially responsible by issuing regulations, or in motivating those companies by introducing awards and giving fiscal facilities. Practical implications The results help the policymakers to introduce more awards in some domains that were less addressed by Malaysian companies and also to examine the causes behind the non-influence of the new Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG 2012) on CSRD. Originality/value The study can be considered as one of the limited empirical studies that assess the changes in CSRD before and after the issuance of MCCG 2012 in Malaysia.

scholarly journals CENÁRIOS FUTUROS COMO FERRAMENTA PARA A ORGANIZAÇÃO DA SOCIEDADE CIVIL

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-76
Author(s):  
Isabel Cristina d'Avilla Oliveira ◽  
Karine De Mello Freire
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Operating Strategy ◽  
Strategic Design ◽  
Design Perspective ◽  
Technology Tool ◽  
Object Of Study

Este artigo descreve o modelo de “Cenários Transformadores” pela perspectiva do design estratégico. Objetiva entender a contribuição da ferramenta para a estratégia de atuação da sociedade civil na proposição de políticas públicas. Para tanto, o trabalho investiga a capacidade dos representantes das organizações da sociedade civil em absorver as práticas dos cenários e utilizar da tecnologia dessa ferramenta para o avanço na condução de suas estratégias. Apresenta o exercício do “Cenários Sociedade Civil 2023”, ocorrido no Brasil entre 202 e 2013, que serviu de objeto de estudo para a análise das possibilidades de conceber uma solução própria às organizações da sociedade civil que atuam no contexto das políticas públicas.ABSTRACT This article describes the "Transformers Scenarios " model for the strategic design perspective. Aims to understand the tool's contribution to civil society operating strategy in proposing public policies. Thus, the study investigates the ability of representatives of civil society organizations to absorb the practices of scenarios and make use of this technology  tool for advancing in the conduct of their strategies. It presents the exercise of "Scenarios Civil Society 2023", held in Brazil between 2012 and 2013, which was the object of study to analyze the possibilities of conceiving their own solution to civil society organizations working in the context of public policy. 

Tanzanian ruling party tightens its grip with new laws

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Political Freedoms ◽  
The Government ◽  
Civic Space ◽  
Ruling Party ◽  
Do So

Subject Political freedoms in Tanzania. Significance Tanzania’s parliament passed a bill in late June to amend eight laws under the Written Laws (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act No. 3. Despite their innocuous title, these amendments, once signed into law, will further solidify the government’s control over the economy and civil society, contributing to a deteriorating business environment and increasingly restricted civic space for religious and civil organisations. Impacts Some NGOs required to re-register may miss the two-month deadline to do so under the amended law. Potential investors may be put off by additional bureaucracy and increased risk. Civil society’s influence on public policy will be constrained by fear of being targeted under the legislation. The government will gain more leverage to put pressure on NGOs on policies, sources of income and spending.

The Sabar Shouchagar Project (toilets for everyone): making Nadia District the first open-defecation-free district in India

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devi Vijay ◽  
Debabrata Ghosh
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Social Change ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Social Innovation ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Open Defecation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Sector Management

Subject area Public Sector Management. Study level/applicability MBA or postgraduate program courses in public policy and management. MBA or postgraduate program courses on social innovation, social entrepreneurship and public or collective entrepreneurship. Management development programs for public policy professionals, non-governmental organizations and social enterprises. Case overview Despite several country-wide campaigns to improve sanitation levels, India continues to be the country with the highest number of people, over 600 million, practicing open defecation. This case outlines the Sabar Shouchagar Project (Toilets for Everyone) undertaken by the District Administration of Nadia District in West Bengal that transformed the region into the first open-defecation-free district in India. The case begins with providing the context of the problem of open defecation, why it has been hard to eliminate and how undertaking a project to eliminate open-defecation-free practices has myriad institutional and economic challenges. The case then details the conceptualization and execution of the complex Sabar Shouchagar Project which involved a loose coalition of various state programs and civil society organizations. The case ends with questions on the continuity of this project beyond the tenure of the current District Magistrate and on the replicability of such an ambitious project in other parts of the country. The setting of this case, a government agency, is different than most cases and provides an opportunity for students to talk about a state agency and its interstices with civil society. This case explores how to create change through large government machinery and allows the student to explore aspects of social mobilization, social change and social innovation. If taught within a postgraduate or MBA program, the case would serve well to dispel stereotypes and biases about government bureaucracies (such as slow timelines, limited efficacy of projects and so on). Expected learning outcomes After discussion and analysis of the case, students will be able to: appreciate how administrators within a large government bureaucracy address an ambitious and complex public health issue in a developing world context. Understand the on-the-ground challenges that arise when a change agent pursues a worthwhile goal. There are difficulties such as getting resources beyond what a government office has access to, getting alignments between different key actors within the local community and forging coalitions. Understand initiatives for social transformation within a developing country context. Specifically, the case unpacks the cultural, political, economic contexts that determine how social innovations may be pursued. Understand capacity-building and change management. Evaluate efforts required to sustain social change efforts and the challenges and pathways with respect to replication of successful social change projects in other geographies. Appreciate the design of civic engagement practices in public policy implementation. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes. Subject Code CSS: 10: Public Sector management.

Rights of the Child

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asha Bajpai
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
International Law ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Legal Definition ◽  
Rights Of The Child ◽  
The Government ◽  
Definition Of

The chapter commences with the change in the perspective and approach relating to children from welfare to rights approach. It then deals with the legal definition of child in India under various laws. It gives a brief overview of the present legal framework in India. It states briefly the various policies and plans, and programmes of the Government of India related to children. International law on the rights of the child is enumerated and a summary of the important judgments by Indian courts are also included. The chapter ends with pointing out the role of civil society organizations in dealing with the rights of the child and a mention of challenges ahead.

A benchmarking study of Indian seaports

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-102
Author(s):  
Sajeev Abraham George ◽  
Anurag C. Tumma
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Port Authorities ◽  
Financial Performance Measures ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to benchmark the operational and financial performances of the major Indian seaports to help derive useful insights to improve their performance. Design/methodology/approach A two-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology has been used with the help of data collected on the 13 major seaports of India. The first stage of the DEA captured the operational efficiencies, while the second stage the financial performance. Findings A window analysis over a period of three years revealed that no port was able to score an overall average efficiency of 100 per cent. The study identified the better performing units among their peers in both the stages. The contrasting results of the study with the traditional operational and financial performance measures used by the ports helped to derive useful insights. Research limitations/implications The data used in the study were majorly limited to the available sources in the public domain. Also, the study was limited to the major seaports which are under the Government of India and no comparisons were carried out with other local or international ports. Practical implications There is a need to prioritize investments and improvement efforts where they are most needed, instead of following a generalized approach. Once the benchmark ports are identified, the port authorities and other relevant stakeholders should work in detail on the factors causing inefficiencies, for possible improvements in performance. Originality/value This paper carried out a two-stage DEA that helped to derive useful insights on operational efficiency and financial performance of the India seaports. A combination of the financial and operational parameters, along with a comparison of the DEA results with the traditional measures, provided a different perspective on the Indian seaport performance. Considering the scarcity of research papers reported in the literature on DEA-based benchmarking studies of seaports in the Indian context, it has the potential to attract future research in this field.

scholarly journals Reflections on the Relationship between the Government and Civil Society Organizations during the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Israeli Case

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hillel Schmid
Keyword(s):  
Health Economic ◽  
Civil Society ◽  
Interest Groups ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Strategic Behavior ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Power Dependence ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The paper analyzes the relations between the government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel. The paper presents the inconsistent policy of the government, which has been influenced by various interest groups and the very limited financial support allocated to CSOs during the health, economic and social crisis. The paper describes the government’s alienated attitude toward the CSOs as well as the reasons for that behavior. Special attention is devoted to the government’s misunderstanding of the mission and roles of CSOs in modern society, especially at times of crisis and national disasters. The paper also analyzes the organizational and strategic behavior of CSOs toward the government, which has also contributed to the alienated attitude of the government toward them. I argue that relations between CSOs and the government should be based on more trust, mutuality, and understanding on the part of both actors in order to change power-dependence relations, and that there is a need to establish more cross-sectoral partnerships for the benefit of citizens.

South African government’s GBV plans may disappoint

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Civil Society ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
South African ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Structure ◽  
National Strategic Plan ◽  
The Government ◽  
Gender Based

Significance Although President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly committed to increase funding to combat what he calls South Africa’s “second pandemic”, there is a lack of transparency in how the government disburses funds linked to its National Strategic Plan (NSP) on Gender-based Violence and Femicide. Impacts Civil society groups will increase pressure on the government to make expenditure on GBV programmes more transparent. A new private-sector fund to contribute to the NSP has received strong early support, but its management structure is opaque. High levels of GBV will not only have significant humanitarian and social costs but may deter much-needed foreign investment.

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