Corporate social responsibility: is it an alternative to government?
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2016
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract
Purpose – Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained global prominence in recent years. This is
because businesses have seen the need to consider the interests of stakeholders not only to enhance their
corporate image but also to live good neighbourly lives with the communities in which they operate. The
purpose of this paper is to examine the value of engaging stakeholders and recommend multinational
corporations not to take over the governance of countries in which they operate as a result of their
nancial muscle but to play complementary roles to help in the development of those countries.
Although CSR is no longer new in Africa according to recent studies, it is suffering from identity crisis,
as it has been used generally and severally to refer to different issues. This conceptual paper discusses
the notion of CSR practice in Africa and the major issues and debates around it. It looks at the role of
government and civil society organisations that are at the forefront playing watchdog and vigilante
roles for the benet of the society.
Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper.
Findings – The paper argues that business and society cannot exist without working together and
that responsible business is key to sustainable development. It traces the roots of CSR and the
emergence of the concept. It advises that what is required in Africa is for the media and civil society
organizations to play watchdog and vigilante roles in ensuring that businesses are socially responsible,
accountable and transparent. If governments and businesses are transparent and accountable, then the
citizens become the greatest beneciary. The prot margins of businesses will also increase and there
will be sustainable development. The paper also indicates that the concept of CSR is gaining grounds in
Africa and is no longer new as indicated by previous studies. It recommends that Africa should have its
own CSR programmes designed to t into the African setting. The paper examines the major issues and
debates on CSR and concludes that any attempt to introduce uniform laws to ensure responsible
business operations universally will not work as situations differ from country to country. The
overreliance on corporate entities, particularly Multinational corporations (MNCs) and transnational
corporation (TNCs), for the direct development of African economies is not sustainable, as these
corporate entities cannot continue to full these obligations meant for the development of infrastructure
and still be expected to provide basic amenities for communities under the guise of fullling CSR. This
process of national development is unsustainable.
Originality/value – The paper recommends a multi-stakeholder approach in designing and
implementing CSR programmes. The government, civil society, community and the company should
collaborate and constantly have stakeholder engagements as that are the only way of attaining a
win-win benet. MNCs and TNCs should see the government and other stakeholders as partners in
development and not lord it over them as a result of their nancial muscle. It is recommended that mor
Description
Keywords
Government, Africa, Stakeholders, Corporate social responsibility, Alternative, Civil society