Corporate social responsibility: is it an alternative to government?

Livelihood access and challenges of coastal communities: insights from Ghana

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to contribute to the discourse on livelihood access and challenges of fisherfolks and farmers within coastal communities in Ghana. Insights from such studies can help to create win-win outcomes between communities and oil companies and give the latter social license to operate. Also, it will help to identify the existing knowledge gaps that still need to be filled and contribute to the overall management of Ghana’s oil resources. It will further contribute to the government’s livelihood diversification programs in oil-producing communities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed the use of qualitative research paradigm to collect primary data in oil- and gas-producing communities in the Western Region of Ghana. Specifically, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted among diverse stakeholders.

Findings

Findings from the study show that several people and households along the coast of Ghana’s Western Region depend on the fishing industry as their livelihoods. However, fisherfolks are facing several challenges due to oil production. For instance, the quantity of fish harvest has reduced drastically since oil production started in 2010. Farming activities have also been adversely affected. The study has unearthed that the existing social and economic infrastructure are very limited to support the development of the coastal communities in Ghana’s Western Region. The study suggests that to deal with some of the challenges faced by coastal communities, livelihood diversification programs should be introduced.

Research limitations/implications

Not every community within the oil and gas areas in the Western Region was covered. Future work will address this limitation.

Practical implications

The study has revealed that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies need to expedite the process of conducting a comprehensive needs assessment of communities and capture them in their medium-term development plans.

Social implications

The corporate social responsibility programs will create win-win outcomes between oil companies and communities.

Originality/value

The study is an original piece of work with data collected from the field. The study will contribute to the efficient management of natural resources in Ghana and other developing countries.

Global CSR, drivers and consequences: a systematic review

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of research studies on the drivers and consequences of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used a systematic literature review using research papers published on the drivers and consequence of global CSR from 2010 to 2020.

Findings

The findings of this paper show that the principal themes of published research articles on the drivers and consequences of CSR are internal drivers, external drivers and consequences of CSR. Publications on the drivers and consequences of global CSR have been dominated by studies that used quantitative approach and cross-sectional design. A significant number of studies also used secondary data source with most of these studies not being sensitive to sectorial influences. More importantly, this study revealed that the emphasis of CSR on actions that demonstrate social responsibility is more associated with overall financial performance and firm value when contrasted against ethical statements of social responsibility which is associated with weaker firm financial performance and outcomes. Moreover the review indicated that the level of CSR engagement and disclosure has been associated with higher share prices whereas low level of CSR disclosure in sensitive industries results in lower share prices. In addition, employees’ intention has been identified as a critical driver for CSR activities. Furthermore, it was also identified that firms engage in CSR because of internal institutional factors such as ethical corporate culture and top management commitment, whereas external drivers of CSR include socio-political factors, globalisation and environmental accountability.

Practical implications

CSR is an area that can be harnessed to contribute to sustainable solutions to global challenges. It also provides an added advantage of ensuring that the perpetuation of the relationship between businesses and society are more complementary.

Originality/value

This review is one of the few studies focussed on highlighting the drivers and consequences of global CSR. This review also provides proof of the areas of research that need attention and provides recommendation on future areas of study on the drivers and consequences of global CSR.

Influence of corporate social responsibility on non-financial performance

Purpose

Using a multinational corporation (MNC), Nestlé Ghana Limited (NGL) that operates in a developing economy (Ghana) as a case study, this paper aims to examine the influence of customers’ CSR awareness level and their perception of NGL’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) motives on the firm’s non-financial performance (image and reputation).

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach, using questionnaires and simple random sampling method, was used to survey 300 customers. Structural equation model-partial least square (SEM-PLS) was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The results show that customers’ CSR awareness levels have a positive impact on NGL’s image and reputation. In contrast, the study revealed that customers’ perception of NGL’s CSR motives has a negative impact on NGL’s image and reputation.

Practical implications

NGL should maintain a balance between customers’ perception of its CSR motives and its image and reputation to project the firm’s CSR position as posted in the firm’s create shared value report.

Originality/value

The study is one of the few studies in sub-Saharan Africa, and especially in Ghana, about how an MNC’s CSR engagements influence its image and reputation in a developing economy context. It further makes a contribution to CSR literature in Ghana.