scholarly journals Developing corporate social responsibility in financial services

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Deigh ◽  
Jillian Dawes Farquhar
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Services Marketing ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Services Marketing ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Retail Banks

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to contribute to the theory and practice of financial services marketing in sub-Saharan Africa (sSA) by investigating how financial service providers are developing corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices, in particular, seeking to uncover the involvement of stakeholders.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an interpretivist approach, the study uncovers fresh and context-rich insights through an analysis of a multiple case study consisting of retail banks in Ghana. Data consist of semi-structured interviews with senior managers and analysis of documents and archives.FindingsThe study uncovers three key CSR practices practised by the retail banks: giving, community and corporate reputation/brand with which their stakeholders are only to some extent involved. Banks not as yet drawing extensively on stakeholder resources for CSR practices.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uses an inductive and in-depth approach to explore contextual insights into CSR, but with subsequent limitations on how far the findings can be extended.Practical implicationsThe study offers outline for financial services marketing involving stakeholders in CSR.Social implicationsIt discovers that banks acquire social capital through their CSR activities in the community.Originality/valueThe study contributes to financial services marketing theory and practice through an evidence-based framework uncovering the development of CSR through practices that as yet draw on stakeholder resources to a limited extent. Research suggests that CSR practices are dynamic and subject to a range of situational conditions.

Corporate social responsibility and sustainable management of solid wastes and effluents in Lagos megacity Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 742-761
Author(s):  
Lukman Raimi ◽  
AbdulGaniyu Omobolaji Adelopo ◽  
Hassan Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Solid Wastes ◽  
Behavioural Intention ◽  
Positive Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This study aims to empirically investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable management of wastes and effluents (SMWE) in Lagos Megacity. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a quantitative research method, specifically the use of a Web-survey technique for eliciting responses from a cross-section of companies affiliated to the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). From a target population of 2,300 companies, a sample of 92 companies was drawn using the sample determination formula of Parten (1950). The 92 sampled companies were randomly administered Web-based questionnaires through their official emails. Finally, the 56 responses received from the participating companies (corresponding to 61 per cent response rate) were analysed electronically and the results presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings The results show strong positive relationships between CSR and advocacy on waste and effluents (0.7), environmental impact response (0.7), environmental sustainability policy (0.6) and preventive negative impact (0.6) with P < 0.05. However, weak positive relationships exist between CSR and monitoring mechanisms (0.3) and adequacy of infrastructure for wastes and pollutants management (0.4). Overall, there is a significant positive relationship between CSR and sustainable management of solid wastes and effluents in the sampled companies in Lagos. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to Lagos Megacity because it is the industrial and commercial hub of Nigeria. Besides, there are several industrial associations in Lagos, but the selected association was the LCCI with 56 sampled companies. Practical implications The research supports and validates the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), which explicates that performance behaviour of organisations is influenced by the behavioural intention and behavioural control. However, behavioural intention of organisations may be carried out, abandoned or revised based on ever changing circumstances or contexts. Originality/value The study bridges the gap between theory and practice of environmental CSR by enriching the understanding of academics and practitioners on CSR and environmental sustainability relationships in Lagos Megacity.

Corporate social responsibility, Waqf system and Zakat system as faith-based model for poverty reduction

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukman Raimi ◽  
Ashok Patel ◽  
Ismail Adelopo
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – Poverty is a plague which has continental manifestation, but its impact is heavily felt in several Muslim majority nations (MMNs), where unemployment, illiteracy, chronic diseases, food shortage, sectarian wars and wave of militancy are surging at alarming rates. The purpose of this paper is to develop a faith-based model (FBM) to complement the conventional poverty reduction models. Experiences have shown that FBMs find more acceptability among Muslim nations because they have theoretical and theological underpinnings from the Qur’an and Hadith, as opposed to conventional models that are often viewed with suspicion, sequel to Islamic revivalism. Design/methodology/approach – This research adopts a qualitative research method relying on secondary data/information sourced from CIA Factbook, previous scholarly works, working papers, case studies and relevant internet resources. In line with methodological approach of qualitative research, the secondary data/information were subjected to content and thematic analyses (CTA) from which facts, figures and presumptions were derived to support the FBM. Findings – The paper justified the plausibility of integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR), Waqf system (WS) and Zakat system (TZS) as FBM for poverty reduction, enterprise development and economic empowerment in MMNs. Research limitations/implications – The gap left behind by the paper is for future researchers to carry out an empirical investigation on the viability or otherwise of the FBM. This could include the governance structure, operational modalities and regulatory frameworks that would enhance the functioning of the FBM. Practical implications – FBM framework is practically a corporate social investment (CSI), which would be heavily funded by Zakat payers, CSR donations and Waqf. The funds would be deployed to poverty reduction in a number of ways ranging from training, micro-credit support for SMEs, apprenticeships, setting up technology business incubation centres, cluster development, infrastructural development in industrial parks, as well as providing welfare support services to the poor, marginalised communities and other economically disadvantaged groups. Originality/value – The theoretical research is a contribution to theory and practice of CSR in the field of management and Islamic economics. It has developed a FBM for adoption by MMNs who are hesitant in adopting western model for fear of compromising their ethical values.

scholarly journals Corporate reputation through strategic communication of corporate social responsibility

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oyindamola Abiola Ajayi ◽  
Tsietsi Mmutle
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how the communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributes towards a favourable corporate reputation. It explores the communication strategies and channels organisations deemed reputable by stakeholders use to achieve an effective CSR communication.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this, a qualitative content analysis using the directed approach was conducted on the textual CSR communication materials of ten reputable organisations in South Africa based on the 2018 South Africa Reptrak survey.FindingsResult showed that seven out of ten organisations use both self-serving and society-serving motive in their CSR communication, while the other 3 use only the society serving motive. The informing strategy was also more evident in the CSR communication materials than the interactive strategy. In terms of the communication channels, the study found that organisations mainly utilise controlled channels for CSR communication.Originality/valueThe literature reviewed and the findings of this study reveal a gap between the theory and practice of CSR communication. This drives the need for organisations to research and tailor CSR communication based on stakeholders' unique characteristics and preferences. The paper also contributes to improving the knowledge on the role different CSR communication strategies and channels play in CSR communication.

Strategies to enhance consumers’ identification with a service firm

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-Hsin Huang ◽  
Zhao-Hong Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Firm ◽  
Self Construal ◽  
Interdependent Self ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose Enhancing consumer-company identification (CCI) is a useful means by which to build deeper, more committed relationships with consumers. The purpose of this paper is to examine how consumers’ perceptions about the company (service quality and corporate social responsibility) and construal of the self (independent self-construal and interdependent self-construal) affect their identification with a service firm. This study also investigates how consumers’ involvement with the service firm moderates the relationships between CCI and four specific drivers. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual model is developed and empirically tested through two field-based studies (restaurant services and financial services) and one follow-up laboratory experiment. Findings The results of this research show that service quality, corporate social responsibility and interdependent self-construal positively affect CCI and that independent self-construal has a negative effect on CCI. In particular, the greater the involvement of the consumer with the service firm, the more positive the effects of service quality and corporate social responsibility are on CCI. Practical implications This research provides new insight into services marketing management by suggesting that service firms can enhance CCI and, consequently, consumer loyalty by adopting different strategies for specific consumer segments. Originality/value This is the first empirical study to simultaneously incorporate both company characteristics and consumer personal factors into a framework, and provide an integrative understanding of what factors determine consumers’ identification with a service firm.

Empowerment of rural young people in informal farm entrepreneurship: the role of corporate social responsibility in Nigeria’s oil producing communities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji ◽  
Elda Nduka Okolo-Obasi
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of multinational oil companies in Nigeria. Its main focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on equipping rural young people with essential farming skills and knowledge for the adoption and application of modern agricultural inputs in the Niger Delta region. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a survey research technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 800 rural young people were sampled across the oil producing region. Findings The results from the use of combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate that the GMoU model has a significant impact on the development of informal farm entrepreneurship generally, but somewhat undermined rural young people in the targeted agricultural clusters. Practical implications This suggests that youth-specific CSR farm projects can be effective in providing young people with the extra push needed to tackle the knowledge gap and poor agronomic that erect the below-per yield and lack of competitiveness of small-holder farmers in the region. Social implications It implies that a coherent and integrated CSR response from the business would be necessary to unlock investment opportunities on young people in farms for agricultural competitiveness and food security in Africa. Originality/value This study adds to the literature on informal farm entrepreneurship and rural communities’ debate in sub-Saharan Africa. It concludes that business has obligation to help in solving problems of youth unemployment in developing countries.

scholarly journals Does corporate social responsibility initiative restrain young people from irregular migration in sub-Saharan Africa? Evidence from Nigeria’s oil-producing communities

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji ◽  
Elda Nduka Okolo-Obasi
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Young People ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Irregular Migration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of the global memorandum of understanding (GMoU) on irregular migration urge of rural youths in the oil-producing communities. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a survey research technique, aimed at gathering information from a representative sample of the population, as it is essentially cross-sectional, describing and interpreting the current situation. A total of 2,100 households were sampled across the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Findings The results from the use of a combined propensity score matching and logit model indicate that GMoU model has made significant impact in dissuading young people from irregular migration drive. Practical implications This implies that if the MOCs increase the CSR intervention on young development initiatives that focus on creation of jobs and provision of financial and other resources that support local entrepreneurs, the push factors that compel youth irregular migration in sub-Saharan Africa would be deterred. Social implications The fight against irregular migration of African youths and subsequent demise by sea, deserts and along the Mediterranean route can only succeed if cluster development boards of GMoUs are able to draw on young people to participate fully in the CSR intervention plans and programmes. Originality/value This research adds to the literature on multinational enterprises’ CSR initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa and rationale for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of public concern.

“Walking the talk” in times of recession: the case of corporate social responsibility in Greece

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Papacharalampous ◽  
Dimitra Papadimitriou ◽  
Christos Anagnostopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Strategic Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thematic Content ◽  
Business Context ◽  
Descriptive Account ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This study aims to examine the actions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) at a national business context that is firmly defined by prolonged financial crisis. It does so by using a critical view on CSR disclosures in an attempt to get to the heart of the real matter of CSR, from both a thematic content and strategic orientation perspective. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on a sample of 50 firms that operate in the Greek market and belong to the most significant sectors of the national economy. Their CSR disclosures are content-analyzed, providing a body of 836 pragmatic CSR actions. Findings The key findings of the study denote differences among the examined sectors, with banks and financial services being the most active in terms of CSR actions. Regarding the thematic content, firms choose mainly to implement actions with a societal character, while in terms of strategic orientation, they opt for CSR actions that serve existing cause-related programs without any brand presence. Moreover, profound interest appears for the external business environment, whereas the number of CSR actions with employees’ participation is limited. Practical implications The study offers a descriptive account of the actual CSR engagement in Greece amid a prolonged downturn, thus shedding light on the current CSR trends and deficits and helping decision makers embed CSR as an integral part of their business operation. Originality/value During adverse economic conditions, this study captures potential discrepancies between the “walk” (doing) and the “talk” (self-reporting) of CSR. In so doing, it contributes to CSR literature by exploring both the “what” and the “how” these actions are implemented.

Applying Ubuntu-Botho African ethics to stakeholder corporate social responsibility

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 222-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khali Mofuoa
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Ethics ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – This paper aims to explore, with the view to establish the prospects of applying Ubuntu-Botho African approach to stakeholder corporate social responsibility (CSR) for business organisations in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the experience of Basotho of Lesotho in using Ubuntu-Botho African principles and practices to pursue their socially responsible development fashioned in social responsibility (SR) terms. Design/methodology/approach – Using data mainly from desktop research, the theoretical or conceptual content of the paper was established to inform the discussions on the prospects of applying Ubuntu-Botho African principles and practices to stakeholder CSR for business organisations in SSA. Findings – Ubuntu-Botho African approach to stakeholder CSR could generate a very different notion of ideal SR of business organizations in the context of SSA as the experience of Basotho of Lesotho reveals. Whether or not one is persuaded by this Ubuntu-Botho approach to stakeholder CSR, the discussion serves to illuminate the need to broaden the terms of the debate over the appropriate role of business organizations, at least in the context of SSA, regarding their CSR and performance within which they operate. Originality/value – The paper mainly uses secondary data that is considered to be most relevant, valid and reliable to inform discussions on the prospects of the application of Ubuntu-Botho African ethics to stakeholder CSR for business organisations in the context of SSA. The author’s knowledge of Lesotho – where he lived, studied and worked – informed the writing of this paper, as well as discussions on the prospects of applying Ubuntu-Botho African approach to stakeholder CSR for business organisations in SSA using the experience of Basotho of Lesotho in engineering their socially responsible development to become the granary of Southern Africa in 1900s.

Corporate social responsibility in Sub-Saharan Africa: hindering and supporting factors

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Benon-be-isan Nyuur ◽  
Daniel F. Ofori ◽  
Yaw Debrah
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Chain Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stakeholder Groups ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – In recent years, the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained recognition and importance in both business and political settings. While considerable research has been conducted on CSR in developed countries, the extant literature on CSR in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is scant and CSR is seen in terms of philanthropy. This paper aims to examine CSR from a broader perspective and in particular to identify the factors that hinder and promote CSR activities in SSA using the Smit (2009) CSR Value Chain Model. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on data obtained from a survey conducted by GTZ (now GIZ) on factors promoting and hindering CSR in SSA. The study surveyed 85 companies from six countries, namely; South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Namibia. The study essentially examined the internal and external CSR environments of the companies in the participating countries. Findings – The study revealed that there are nine key promoting and hindering factors of CSR for businesses in SSA. These include: leadership and governance, policy framework, project management, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, stakeholder engagement, staff engagement, government, funding and beneficiation. The study recommends a systemic and context-sensitive approach that relies on the potential of organisations and communities to design and implement their own solution within global frameworks in order to further develop CSR in the region. Research limitations/implications – There are a number of limitations in this study. First, this study did not include any informants from the responding organisations’ stakeholder groups, but relied mainly on information obtained from single respondents from organisations. Further research should include responses from other stakeholder groups. Practical implications – To promote or achieve the successful implementation of CSR and broaden its scope within the region beyond its current focus on philanthropy, managers must build bridges with their stakeholders through both formal and informal dialogues and engagement practices. Additionally, firms may enhance and maximise both social and economic value created when managers link their CSR activities to areas that improve firms’ long-term competitive potential by collectively and systematically applying their distinctive strengths to such activities in accordance with the value chain model. Originality/value – The finding in this study is novel and adds an important contribution to the developing CSR literature in the SSA region.

Influence of corporate social responsibility on non-financial performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 910-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwamena Minta Nyarku ◽  
Seth Ayekple
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Developing Economy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose Using a multinational corporation (MNC), Nestlé Ghana Limited (NGL) that operates in a developing economy (Ghana) as a case study, this paper aims to examine the influence of customers’ CSR awareness level and their perception of NGL’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) motives on the firm’s non-financial performance (image and reputation). Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach, using questionnaires and simple random sampling method, was used to survey 300 customers. Structural equation model-partial least square (SEM-PLS) was used to analyse the data. Findings The results show that customers’ CSR awareness levels have a positive impact on NGL’s image and reputation. In contrast, the study revealed that customers’ perception of NGL’s CSR motives has a negative impact on NGL’s image and reputation. Practical implications NGL should maintain a balance between customers’ perception of its CSR motives and its image and reputation to project the firm’s CSR position as posted in the firm’s create shared value report. Originality/value The study is one of the few studies in sub-Saharan Africa, and especially in Ghana, about how an MNC’s CSR engagements influence its image and reputation in a developing economy context. It further makes a contribution to CSR literature in Ghana.

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