scholarly journals Corporate social investment and a company’s image: A case of a CSI initiative in a South African low income community

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-135
Author(s):  
Paul-Francois Muzindutsi ◽  
Tshediso Joseph Sekhampu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Social Investment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
A Company ◽  
Corporate Social Investment

One of the goals of corporate social investment (CSI) is to ensure that a company becomes a responsible entity which acts as a conscientious citizen within a society. CSI plays an important role in enhancing how a company is perceived within the community it operates in. This paper used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research designs to investigate the effect of a specific CSI initiative on a company’s image within a low income community in South Africa. Semi-structured interviews and survey questionnaire were used to collect data from community members in the township of Bophelong, South Africa. Results show that, if adequately managed, CSI initiatives tend to enhance company’s image as well as its relations with the community it operates in. However, if not adequately managed CSI can created unreachable expectations that can negatively affect a company’s image. Thus, companies better manage their CSI initiatives have an increased opportunity to enhance their reputation within the community they operate in.

scholarly journals Denied Investment: A Case of Community Member’s Attitudes towards Volunteering in Corporate Social Investment Initiatives

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2(J)) ◽  
pp. 176-182
Author(s):  
Paul-Francois Muzindutsi
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Investment Model ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Building Community ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Companies use corporate social responsible investment (CSI) initiatives to contribute to the wellbeing of the society they operate in. South African companies continue to increase their involvement in CSI initiatives in the areas of education and training, capacity building, community development and health care. The impact of these initiatives can be extended, if community members, who are mostly the beneficiaries of these initiatives, are willing to work with companies through volunteering in CSI initiatives. This study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative research designs to assess the attitude of community towards volunteering on a CSI project. Interviews and survey questionnaire were used to collect data from households’ members who benefited from a CSI initiative of re-roofing houses in one of low income areas of South Africa. Qualitative analysis revealed that the CSI project provided skill which opened employment opportunities to community members who worked on the project. However, quantitative results showed that only 30% of participants were willing to volunteer on the CSI project. The majority of those who were not willing to volunteer on the CSI project were unemployed and did not have any skills; implying that volunteering on the CSI project could have provided them with some skills. Based on the investment model of volunteering, findings of this study showed that beneficiaries of the CSI initiative denied an investment opportunity due to their attitude towards volunteering. Hence, it was concluded that CSI initiatives could have a greater impact if community members are encouraged to participate in CSI initiatives as volunteers.

From NPO to social enterprise: the story of Schwab awardee, Sharanjeet Shan

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-23
Author(s):  
Kerryn Ayanda Malindi Krige ◽  
Verity Hawarden ◽  
Rose Cohen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Social Entrepreneurship ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Social Entrepreneur ◽  
Financial Sustainability ◽  
Social Investment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Corporate Social Investment

Learning outcomes This case study introduces students to the core characteristics of social entrepreneurship by teaching Santos (2012) positive theory. The case allows students to transition from comprehension and application of what social entrepreneurship is, to considering how they operate. Druckers (2005) argument that social organisations will never have sufficient resources to do their work because they operate in an environment of infinite need is the catalyst for a conversation on resource dependency theory and the risks of mission drift. Students are introduced to the funding spectrum that can be used to understand the type of income that comes to an organisation, and to apply this to the case. By the end of their studies, students should be able to apply the Santos (2012) definition to social enterprises and social entrepreneurs, have insight into the complexity of operating in an environment of infinite need and able to apply the funding spectrum as a tool to manage to understanding financial sustainability. Case overview/synopsis The case tells the story of Sharanjeet Shan, a globally recognised social entrepreneur, and recipient of the Schwab Foundation’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2015. Shan moved to South Africa as the country moved into democracy, and has spent the past 20-plus years building the skills of Black African school children in mathematics and science through the organisation she leads, Maths Centre. But the country remains at the bottom of world rankings for the quality of its maths and science education, despite spending more per capita on education than any other country in Africa. Maths Centre has seen a dip in donations despite steady growth in the amount of money that businesses are investing in social change in South Africa through corporate social investment. But does Shan really need more donor income? Or are there other ways that she can build the financial sustainability of Maths Centre? Complexity academic level This case study is aimed at students of non-profit management, entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, women in leadership, corporate social investment, development studies and sustainable livelihoods. It is written at an Honours / Masters level and is therefore also appropriate for use in customised or short programmes. The case study is a good introduction for students with a background in business (e.g. Diploma in Business Administration / MBA / custom programmes) who are wanting to understand social enterprise and apply their learning's. Supplementary materials A list of supplementary materials is provided in the Teaching Note as Table I, which includes video's, radio interview recordings and a book chapter. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

scholarly journals Carbon Tax Implications On Corporate Social Investment In The South African Motor Vehicle Manufacturing Industry

2013 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1605
Author(s):  
Suren Pillay ◽  
Pieter W. Buys
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
South African ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Motor Vehicle ◽  
Carbon Tax ◽  
Social Investment ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Carbon excise tax was implemented on all passenger motor vehicles in South Africa as of 1 September 2010. Since its implementation, the impact of carbon tax on the corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives and expenditure of South African motor vehicle manufacturers has not been assessed. Given that the carbon tax price should ideally compensate for the damage caused by carbon emissions on the environment and people, the key knowledge gap this article aims to consider is whether the implementation of such a carbon tax is likely to affect the CSI decision-making process in respect of motor vehicle manufacturers in South Africa. The research methodology applied in this study is in the form of both a literature review and empirical research. A literature review was performed on the history, emergence and significance of CSI expenditure within the South African context. The empirical research includes an exploratory case study into the impact of the tax in the decision-making processes with regard to CSI expenditure, as well as the impact of carbon tax on CSI spending by motor vehicle manufacturers in South Africa. It was found that although the advent of carbon tax in the industry would place added pressure on the financial performance of the companies, it is unlikely that it would adversely affect the industrys commitment to the CSI initiatives.

scholarly journals The Relation Between Corporate Philanthropy and Territorial Development in Brazil: Mapping the Corporate Social Managers’ Perspectives

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Livia Menezes Pagotto ◽  
Mariana Xavier Nicolletti ◽  
Mario Monzoni
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Philanthropy ◽  
Community Relations ◽  
Social Investment ◽  
Territorial Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
Social License ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Corporate Community ◽  
Corporate Social Investment

Research objective: To characterize and to discuss corporate social investment focused on territorial development in Brazil. Theoretical framework: Corporate philanthropy and corporate community relations. Methodology: Narrative approach based on a two-fold data collection strategy: semi-structured interviews and a focus group. Results: Three main narratives to make sense of the role of corporate social investment in fostering territorial development: (i) institutional capabilities and social participation; (ii) and aligning of corporate social investment to public policies; and (iii) shared value and social license to operate. Originality: A comprehensive understanding of the territorial approach for development projects implemented by corporate social investors in Brazil. Theoretical and practical contributions: Contributions to the literature about corporate philanthropy, corporate community relations and, about the territorial development agenda in Brazil. Practical implications on the roles and responsibilities of businesses and its impacts on territorial development and, on the other hand, of the corporate social investor and its contribution to the development of the localities where a company operates.

scholarly journals Corporate social investment – good business and good revenue: The case of woolworths holdings ltd South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 7-15
Author(s):  
Collins C Ngwakwe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Investment Model ◽  
Social Investment ◽  
Return On Equity ◽  
Earnings Per Share ◽  
Revenue Streams ◽  
New Research ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Corporate Social Investment

This paper examined the relationship between corporate social investment and revenue in Woolworths Holdings Limited South Africa. The approach is thus a single case study, and financial data on social investment and revenue was retrieved from the Woolworths Holdings’ Good Business Journey report 2008 -2013 and from its annual report of 2002 - 2007. Using the SPSS statistics software, a correlation was sought between the Woolworths Holdings’ social investment expenditure and revenue, earnings per share and return on equity. Findings from the analysis revealed that, within the six years of Woolworths Holdings’ Good Business Journey, a significant positive relationship exists between Woolworths Holdings’ social investment and its revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and return on equity (ROE). A further analysis of difference in means using the t-test statistics indicates that the revenue streams to Woolworths Holdings’ between 2008 – 2013 is significantly greater than the revenue streams in the six years before the Good Business Journey. In conclusion, the paper suggests a new research model, referred to in this research as the share holders’ support for corporate social investment model, and it is represented as: SHSSI = f (Rv+Es+Re+Of). The paper thus offers an agenda for further research to apply the above model to evaluate the degree of shareholders’ interest and support for corporate social investment in retailing and other companies.

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