Research Paper on Csr
Individual Integrative Paper- ORGS 5100.3S
A Critical Review of Corporate Social Responsibility- The Niger Delta Business Case
Judith Idemudia
ABSTRACT This paper contains a critical review of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which is one of strategy being adopted by businesses to address some of the challenges they confront in their external environment. This paper examines various arguments from proponents and critics of CSR. In addition, this paper examines the case of oil Multinational in Nigeria as way of ascertaining the validity of the different positions in the CSR debate.
Introduction Historical evidence suggests that societal concerns for businesses to have social obligations are not new and that such concerns have continually ebbed and flowed at various times (Camilla, 1991). John & Saks (2011) agree that societal concerns are one of the components of the external environment faced by corporations that should not be ignored. However, the latest manifestation of these societal concerns in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) appears to defy conventional patterns. This is because CSR has increasingly become an essential part of doing business in today’s globalized and competitive environment. Yet, the concept of CSR lacks a consensual definition and remains a contested concept (Devinney, 2009). Hence, the tendency in the literature has been to define CSR in different ways that often reflect the interest of the person who is defining the concept (see Devinney, 2009). Consequently, critics like Devinney (2009) have suggested that this lack of a consensual definition for CSR poses a major conceptual and analytical weakness. Others like Buccholz (1991) has also argued that CSR is more of a doctrine than a serious theory as the concept is unclear, as it does not provide any guidance for managerial decision. In contrast, CSR proponents point out that the absence of a consensual definition does not
A Critical Review of Corporate Social Responsibility- The Niger Delta Business Case
Judith Idemudia
ABSTRACT This paper contains a critical review of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which is one of strategy being adopted by businesses to address some of the challenges they confront in their external environment. This paper examines various arguments from proponents and critics of CSR. In addition, this paper examines the case of oil Multinational in Nigeria as way of ascertaining the validity of the different positions in the CSR debate.
Introduction Historical evidence suggests that societal concerns for businesses to have social obligations are not new and that such concerns have continually ebbed and flowed at various times (Camilla, 1991). John & Saks (2011) agree that societal concerns are one of the components of the external environment faced by corporations that should not be ignored. However, the latest manifestation of these societal concerns in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) appears to defy conventional patterns. This is because CSR has increasingly become an essential part of doing business in today’s globalized and competitive environment. Yet, the concept of CSR lacks a consensual definition and remains a contested concept (Devinney, 2009). Hence, the tendency in the literature has been to define CSR in different ways that often reflect the interest of the person who is defining the concept (see Devinney, 2009). Consequently, critics like Devinney (2009) have suggested that this lack of a consensual definition for CSR poses a major conceptual and analytical weakness. Others like Buccholz (1991) has also argued that CSR is more of a doctrine than a serious theory as the concept is unclear, as it does not provide any guidance for managerial decision. In contrast, CSR proponents point out that the absence of a consensual definition does not
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