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.

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.

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.

Corporate social responsibility in the wake of COVID-19: multiple cases of social responsibility as an organizational value

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jashim Uddin Ahmed ◽  
Quazi Tafsirul Islam ◽  
Asma Ahmed ◽  
Anisur R. Faroque ◽  
Mohammad Jasim Uddin
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
The Face ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Organizational Value

Purpose Although corporate social responsibility is a well-researched concept, very few studies have studied organizational social responsibility in the face of internal/external crises. Therefore, this paper aims to examine various firms' organizational social responses to COVID-19 as an external crisis, particularly in terms of the way organizations use their resources to address social problems and the real intention behind these, and the changing organizational drivers influencing such behaviors. Design/methodology/approach The authors explore the initiatives of seven organizations from three different industries in several countries and their actions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A case study approach was taken to collect data and reach a conclusion. A combination of interviews, online communication using semi-structured questionnaires and documentary information available in the public domain was used to collect data and analyze and triangulate the events. Findings Similar internal resources and capacities of the seven organizations resulted in similar responses as they launched proactive initiatives to prepare sanitizers. This research indicates that these organizations pursued other goals besides economic one. When society needed help, these organizations responded quickly, using and reorganizing their resources to assist communities in need. Different organizations from different sectors all behaved in a similar manner, making genuine contributions to the pandemic as each was uniquely capable of doing. These organizations also used their unique capabilities to offer their resources to local communities and governments. Originality/value During the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts by corporate entities to facilitate social reform and recovery have been seen around the globe. The findings could help in understanding the responses of organizations engaging in socially responsible behaviors to overcome external crises. This paper also identifies changing organizational values and their possible impact on society and overall industry philanthropy practices in the future.

Exploring mining multinational resettlements and corporate social responsibility in emerging economies: the case of the company VALE, SA in Mozambique

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Constâncio A. Machanguana ◽  
Idalina Dias Sardinha
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Communication Processes ◽  
Government Supervision ◽  
Aid For Trade ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to the scientific and societal debates about the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and particularly on the resettlements’ processes as part of extractive multinational companies (MNCs)’s commitments where the host country is an emerging extractive economy. Design/methodology/approach It is an exploratory study based on the analysis of secondary data, few interviews and on-site observation and deals with the description of the assessment of VALE, SA resettlement processes and assumed CSR practices of VALE, SA, an MNC operating in the Moatize district, Tete province in Mozambique. Findings The MNC assumes resettlement processes to be part of the CSR arena and reveals that VALE, SA follows a reactive poor approach as to CSR. The weak institutional context in Mozambique is like others described in the literature. The empirical data together with the sense of an ethical responsibility approach associated with resettlement processes and the paradigm shift in aid for trade as to development supported by the MNC’s CSR leads to the conclusion that resettlement can be considered part of the CSR of a mining MNC. Research limitations/implications The difficult access to key informants of the resettled communities, local government and little interest in interview participation by VALE, SA, showed a current lack of confidence and communication limitations by the company as to this issue. Practical implications The failure of VALE, SA and other mining companies to meet their resettlement responsibilities and the inability of government supervision, requires local and national, as well as social and scientific communication processes and debate on this issue to be maintained on an ongoing basis during the mining life cycle to guaranty accomplishments of CSR. Social implications The controversy over whether mining MNCs will benefit Africa’s emerging economies as to their socio-economic development will continue until MNCs commit themselves and act to be economically, legally and ethically responsible for contributing to the sustainable development of the countries where they operate. Originality/value This paper contributes to the debate on whether CSR frames the resettlement process based on literature review and key stakeholder views.

The Normative Grounding of Social Responsibility in African Emerging Markets

2016 ◽  
pp. 97-115
Author(s):  
Khali Mofuoa
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Emerging Markets ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Symbiotic Relationship ◽  
Alternative Vision ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Corporate Social

In African emerging markets (AEMs), the prevailing notions of social responsibility (SR) are based chiefly on Western ethics. Even discussions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have, more often than not, been couched in the similar manner. Consequently, the field of CSR in AEMs is largely unaware of Setho ethics that for it are germane as a basis for thinking and talking about SR. In this chapter, the author proposes Setho ethics rooted in Botho, which sees the communal, interdependence and interrelatedness of beings, as an alternative vision of CSR in AEMs. In fact, people in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) see themselves in a symbiotic relationship with society, a point well-articulated by Mbiti (1969, p. 24) thus, “I am because you are, and since we are, therefore I am”. This African view through the Setho ethics lenses generates a different notion of an ideal SR of business to society worth illuminating in the CSR discourse today.

To B or not to B: Etsy’s decision whether to re-incorporate as a public benefit corporation and maintain its B Lab certification

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 510-527
Author(s):  
Gabriele Lingenfelter ◽  
Ronnie Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Regulatory System ◽  
Business Law ◽  
Publicly Traded ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Benefit Corporation ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Corporate Social

Theoretical basis As the regulatory system begins to recognize the role of social responsibility reporting, reliable disclosure measures will be required. Issues of transparency, reliability and assurance are likely to arise as securities regulators consider whether and how to require disclosure of non-financial information. Various reporting models are presented in the case to illustrate different ways that these issues can be addressed by privately held and publicly traded corporations. Research methodology The case uses the company, Etsy, Inc., which has established itself as a publicly traded, socially responsible corporation. Etsy must decide whether it will re-incorporate as a benefit corporation in order to maintain its B Lab certification. This decision introduces students to the various measures of corporate social responsibility, the interests of the stakeholders of a corporation and the regulatory environment in which socially responsible, publicly traded corporations operate. The case uses only publicly available information. Case overview/synopsis This teaching case addresses the decision faced by Etsy, Inc. when it became a publicly traded corporation. In order to maintain its certification as a socially responsible corporation by B Lab, it would have to re-incorporate as a Delaware Benefit Corporation. In making this decision, the company had to consider various measures used for corporate social responsibility reporting and transparency and how these might affect Etsy’s stakeholders. Complexity academic level Undergraduate or masters level case that could be used in a business law, commercial law, legal environment or auditing course.

Corporate social responsibility, product innovation, and product line

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-190
Author(s):  
Heng Xu
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Product Line ◽  
Responsible Innovation ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Basic Product ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to investigate a firm’s incentive to innovate its basic product to be socially responsible and its decision on the product line. By constructing a competition model, the paper examines the factors that affect the firm’s choice on its product line with the socially responsible innovation in the presence of altruistic consumers. Such factors include the proportion of the altruistic consumers, the firm’s coordination cost with the basic and innovative products, as well as the consumer’s transportation cost. Design/methodology/approach In a model of differentiated products with the competition, the author assumes that a portion of consumers has a strong preference for the socially responsible product (e.g. altruistic consumers). A firm is able to attract altruistic consumers with a socially responsible innovation but it may incur a coordination cost when both the basic and the innovated products are manufactured and sold. In a framework of a sequential game, the firms make a decision on the prices, innovation inputs, as well as the choice on its product line to achieve the expected profit maximization. Findings The firm has the incentive to engage in socially responsible innovation to better compete with its rivals. More importantly, the results of the paper explain why some firms wish to manufacture and sell the basic product even though the innovation is successful. The main factors that affect such a firm’s decision include the proportion of the altruistic consumers, the aggregate benefit to all the consumers who purchase the innovative product, the firm’s potential coordination cost and the consumer’s transportation cost. Originality/value The paper sheds light on a firm’s corporate social responsibility innovation and its product line determination. The results of this paper can be widely applied in the firm’s strategy of engaging in corporate social responsibility with eco-friendly elements that can attract altruistic consumers in the market. In addition, the findings of the paper can also contribute to policy formulation in terms of innovation. Such a result enables the policymakers to understand the factors that affect the firm’s motivation on innovation and helps them to better guide the firms efficiently participate in the research and development activities.

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.

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