Political CSR: Studies from an African SME Perspective.

Establishing socially responsible workplaces: Need perceptions and institutional forces acting on MSE owners in Tanzania

“…Moreover, MSEs are often strongly influenced by local traditions since small businesses tend to be more intertwined with their communities (Lange & Fenwick, ; Lyon, ). In this regard, social obligations that arise from extended family ties, such as expectations to employ relatives and prioritize extended family needs, can interfere with needs’ satisfaction (Jeppesen & Morsing, ; Khavul, Bruton, & Wood, ; Smith, ). Finally, CSR at the workplace can be hampered due to persistent organizational problems such as a lack of managerial commitment, resources, and expertise to integrate CSR practices (Jeppesen & Morsing, ; Kamoche, ).…”

“…In this regard, social obligations that arise from extended family ties, such as expectations to employ relatives and prioritize extended family needs, can interfere with needs’ satisfaction (Jeppesen & Morsing, ; Khavul, Bruton, & Wood, ; Smith, ). Finally, CSR at the workplace can be hampered due to persistent organizational problems such as a lack of managerial commitment, resources, and expertise to integrate CSR practices (Jeppesen & Morsing, ; Kamoche, ). At the same time, traditional, indigenous values of an interdependent community culture characterized by mutual respect and harmony, often captured in the concept of Ubuntu or Ujamaa in Tanzania, can be strong drivers of CSR in the workplace (Ibhawoh & Dibua, ; Mangaliso, ; Muthuri, ).…”

“…At the same time, traditional, indigenous values of an interdependent community culture characterized by mutual respect and harmony, often captured in the concept of Ubuntu or Ujamaa in Tanzania, can be strong drivers of CSR in the workplace (Ibhawoh & Dibua, ; Mangaliso, ; Muthuri, ). For example, Jeppesen and Morsing () investigated small firms in South Africa and suggested that both hiring from extended family networks and retaining these employees can be both counterproductive and productive.…”

“…However, most MSEs face barriers to assuming CSR in this regard. The overall productivity of organizations remains low and is among other factors often attributed to a persistent lack of resources in general (Jeppesen & Morsing, ; Muthuri, ), and technical expertise, management skills, and good governance in particular (Zoogah & Nkomo, ). Collaboration and training are critical, yet recent studies suggest that environmental conditions interfere with the development of a unified and talented workforce (Hamann et al, ; Muthuri, ; Zoogah & Beugré, ).…”

“…Although many Africans are increasingly motivated to cooperate with others in the quest for the “good life” that a middle‐class income offers, they often struggle with environments that force them to put their own needs above organizational goals (Zoogah & Beugré, ). In this vein, research has highlighted institutional factors that are likely to inhibit (e.g., weak regulatory frameworks, extended family obligations) but may also drive (e.g., indigenous community values) the creation of socially responsible workplaces (Jeppesen & Morsing, ; Kamoche, ; Mangaliso, ; Muthuri, ). Despite these interesting dynamics, insights into what drives workplace creation and need satisfaction in MSEs in SSA are limited (Duarte & Houlihan, ; Visser, ).…”