Corporate Social Responsibility Practices and Stakeholders’ Awareness

Authors

  • Dakito Alemu Kesto Andhra University
  • Jaladi Ravi Andhra University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18034/abcjar.v6i2.69

Keywords:

Stakeholders, awareness, review, corporate social responsibility, practices, Ethiopia

Abstract

The main aim of this review is to explore the corporate social responsibility practices and stakeholders’ awareness about firms’ CSR in Ethiopia. The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) came into existence because of the impracticability of market economy and thus transfers some of the government and NGO’s responsibility to private sector is required particularly in developing nations. Since the living standard of the society is low in emerging economies, the CSR expected from business firm is much higher than it is used to be in advanced economy. Ethiopia is one of the least developed countries and thus, the involvement of private sector is very crucial since government does not fulfill all needs of the society. In one way or another, businesses are economic entities that have the ability to change CSR activities into business opportunities. Several studies suggest that companies may receive external benefits from implementing CSR policies. However, the success of practicing CSRs depends upon the level of stakeholders’ awareness. Specifically, in conducting the survey the reviewer was motivated by the following research questions which constitute the objectives of the article: (1) where do firms in Ethiopia categorized in the Carroll’s 1991 pyramid; and (2) what was the level of awareness of different stakeholders in the country. Therefore, this review explores the CSR practices of firms and the level of stakeholders’ awareness about the concept in Ethiopia. The paper employed qualitative research approach by reviewing 16 research articles which address CSR policies of firms in Ethiopia. The finding shows, the most important stakeholder considered by firms are customers which contribute to profitability. This shows the fact that firms in Ethiopia are in the lower-level of Carroll’s CSR pyramid: economic responsibility. Furthermore, the level of stakeholders’ awareness regarding the firms’ CSR practice in Ethiopia is low. To summarize, corporate social responsibility practice in Ethiopia is at its infancy stage and thus, need much more improvement from both firms and the government. 

 

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Dakito Alemu Kesto, Andhra University

    Research Scholar, Department of Commerce and Management Studies, Andhra University, Vizag, INDIA

     
  • Jaladi Ravi, Andhra University

    Professor, Department of Commerce and Management Studies, Andhra University, Vizag, INDIA

References

Abeba Assemaw (2014). The Positive Impact of Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility to Profitability of Businesses in Ethiopia. Master of Business Administration thesis. Lincoln University. https://www.academia.edu

Asemamaw Tilahun (2011). Corporate Social Responsibility in Sustainable Environment Management in Ethiopia (The case of selected corporations and social enterprises). Addis Ababa University. etd.aau.edu.et/bitstream

Asnake Menbere (2016). Analyzing Social Responsibility towards Improving Labor Practice Issues in Ethiopia. MSc Thesis. Norwegian University of Science and Technology. https://brage.bibsys.no/xmlui/handle

Bernardo, M. (2014). Integration of management systems as an innovation: A proposal for a new model. Journal of Cleaner Production, 82, 132–142. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.06.089

Bramme, S., Millington, A. & Rayton, B. (2007). The contribution of corporate social responsibility to organizational commitment. Int. Journal of Human Resource Management, 18, 1701-1719.

Carroll, A.B. (1991). The pyramid of corporate social responsibility: toward the moral management of organizational stakeholders. Business Horizons, July–August, pp. 39–48.

Dakito Alemu (2016). Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Financial Performance Trade-off. An empirical study in the case o banking sector in Ethiopia. Unpublished.

Ezana Messele, (2014). Stakeholders Perception of CSR on Meta Abo Brewery Share Company. repository.smuc.edu.et/bitstream/

Friedman, M. (1962). Capitalism and Freedom. University of Chicago Press.

Friedman, M. (1970). The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits. New York Times.

Hailu FK, Nigatu TF (2015) Practices and Challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Hospitality Industry: The Case of First Level Hotels and Lodges in Gondar City, Ethiopia. J Tourism Hospit 4: 184. doi:10.4172/21670269.1000184

Karounga Diawara1 & Sophie Lavallée, (2014). Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Ohada Law. Journal of Business Law and Ethics, Vol. 2(2), Published by American Research Institute for Policy Development. URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.15640/jble.v2n2a2

Lichtenstein, D.R., Drumright, M.E., & Braig, B.M. (2004). The effect of corporate social responsibility on customer donations to corporate-supported nonprofits. Journal of Marketing, 68, 16-32.

Luo, X., & Bhattacharya, C.B. (2006). Corporate social responsibility, customer satisfaction and market value. Journal of Marketing, 70, 1-18.

Mathias Nigatu (2015). Corporate Social Responsibility Learning in the Ethiopian Leather and Footwear Industry. https://thesis.eur.nl/pub/32931/

Mohana Rao and Fentaye Kassa (2016). Environmental corporate social responsibility of brewery firms in Ethiopia International Journal of Applied Research 2016; 2(4): 01-07. www.allresearchjournal.com

Mouly Potluri and Zelalem Temesgen (2008) "Corporate social responsibility: an attitude of Ethiopian corporates", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 4 Iss: 4, pp.456 – 463.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17471110810909867

Samson Mechale and Messay Shiibre (2011). “How is CSR practiced in the Ethiopian Floriculture Industry, and does it has a linkage with the governance system. www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/

Sarah Stawiski et al., (2011). Employee Perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility. The Implications for Your Organization. Center for Creative Leadership. www.cci.org

Tedla Zegeye (2013). Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes in Ethiopian Floriculture Industry. MBA thesis. St. Mary’s University College. repository.smuc.edu.et/bitstream

Tewolde Mezgobo (2012). The Nature of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Ethiopian Business Context. An Essay on Corporate Social Responsibility. PhD candidate at International School of Management. Paris. https://www.scribd.com/document/

Visser et al, (2007). Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing Countries. csr in global context. http://www.waynevisser.com

Workineh Bayisa and Daniel Tolesa (2015). Corporate Social Responsibility Practices and Financial Performance of Manufacturing Firms: A Case Study of Sebeta and Gelan Towns Zenith, International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research ISSN 2231-5780 Vol.5 (6), JUNE (2015), pp. 248-263. zenithresearch.org.in

Yeneneh Taddese. 2015. The Role of Private Commercial Banks on Corporate Social Responsibility in Ethiopia (Unpublished master’s thesis) Addis Ababa University. etd.aau.edu.et/handle

ZTE CRS report, 2013. Corporate Social Responsibility Report. Sixth edition of the Corporate Social Responsibility Report released by ZTE Corporation. www.zte.com.cn

--0--

Downloads

Published

2017-12-31

How to Cite

Kesto, D. A. ., & Ravi, J. . (2017). Corporate Social Responsibility Practices and Stakeholders’ Awareness. ABC Journal of Advanced Research, 6(2), 41-52. https://doi.org/10.18034/abcjar.v6i2.69