Exploring the relationship between corporate social responsibility, law and development in an African context

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to explore the problematic question of government’s role in ensuring corporate social responsibility in an African context. This question may initially appear paradoxical yet it is becoming increasingly relevant in the face of linkages between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and development. The article uses the example of Nigeria’s attempt to pass a CSR bill mandating contributions towards development to identify several questions arising in such contexts. It advises a contextual approach to identifying CSR objectives and recognises the need for frameworks which law can provide. Design/methodology/approach – This article adopts a conceptual approach analysing the current debates about CSR and its linkage with development as well as the implications and issues raised by the attempted CSR law. \ud Findings – The main findings suggest that though CSR in general refers to business and society relationships, its content and targets need to be defined in context. Attempts to pass mandatory CSR laws (even where they do not succeed), hint at the need to concretise objectives particularly where CSR is linked to development. This can be done through frameworks which include the use of law in all its forms. \ud Originality/value – This article identifies a new direction that CSR may be taking in developing countries. It uses the Nigerian example to show that larger questions are looming for CSR, especially in connection with development. While current attempts to adopt a structured approach to CSR through legislation may not be wholly successful, they cannot be entirely ignored as this suggests the need for frameworks and concrete objectives in an African context like Nigeri

Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing Countries as an Emerging Field of Study

“…The importance of exploring the contextdependence of CSR has been accentuated in recent years with calls for closer attention to the peculiar institutional constellations, or national business system configurations of developing countries, which may ultimately lead to different expressions of CSR (Jamali and Neville 2011;Okoye 2012a). Distinctive elements of CSR in developing countries have been referred to in the literature, with CSR commonly characterized as less formalized, more sunken and more philanthropic in nature (Jamali and Neville 2011;Visser 2008).…”

“…Further augmenting the need to explore CSR in developing countries are the various arguments against the transferability of frameworks and conclusions drawn in developed countries to those that are C (Blowfield and Frynas 2005;Idemudia 2011;Luetkenhorst 2004;Moon and Shen 2010). Gugler and Shi (2009) note that the north-south divide in CSR practice is evident, accentuating the need to understand the content, objectives and targets of CSR in context and to tailor one's theorizing accordingly (Okoye 2012a;Prieto-Carrón et al 2006). Despite this burgeoning interest in CSR in developing countries, there is no systematic review of this literature to date.…”

The power of the fish is in the water

“…Aguinis & Glavas, 2013;Broomes, 2013;Fisher & Grant, 2012;Okoye, 2012;Pless et al, 2012;Ragan et al, 2015;Rajak, 2011;Visser, 2011).…”

“…For genuine Embedded CSR to be realised, stakeholders must be transformed into trusted partners of the organisation who, in concert with the organisation, pursue Embedded CSR value unlocking and wealth creation. In all of this, all parties involved will be directed and guided by a co-generated, shared, EC-relevant envisioned legacy (AƁländer, 2011;Okoye, 2012;Matthews, 2014).…”

Corporate Social Responsibility and Chinese Oil Multinationals in the Oil and Gas Industry of Nigeria: An appraisal

“…However, similarities can be gleaned in the manifestation of CSR in African countries especially from the development perspective (Okoye, 2012;Idemudia, 2014). In South Africa, issues such as apartheid, injustices and inequality have influenced the manifestation of CSR.…”