Preview

Coporate Social Responsibility (Csr) in Zimbabwe vs the Global Expectations

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
298 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Coporate Social Responsibility (Csr) in Zimbabwe vs the Global Expectations
NAME NYARADZO TABE- 122SIS28
TOPIC COPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) IN ZIMBABWE VS THE GLOBAL EXPECTATIONS
Considering the rough economic environment in the country one might wonder how businesses can balance between making sure that they survive and responding to social concerns. Zimbabwean businesses in general accept that they have a responsibility to plough back into the society but not all of them have been committing themselves to solving the social and environmental problems that arise in the country. According to (Frederic, 1994, p.151) “The obligation to work for social betterment is the essence of the notion of Corporate Social Responsibility”. CSR assumes that business organizations have societal obligations which transcend economic functions of producing and distributing scarce goods and services and generating a satisfactory level of profits for the shareholders as asserted by Epstein (1989). This study seeks to understand why Zimbabwean businesses have been so reluctant about CSR and will answer the following questions:

1. Why have Zimbabwean businesses been reluctant about CSR?
2. How practical is it for corporations to employ the international standards for CSR in Zimbabwe
3. How does Corporate Social Responsibility contribute to the socio economic development of Zimbabwe?

This paper argues that the absence of legal text toward CSR has contributed to some businesses’ reluctance towards it. Moreover, It can be very difficult for Zimbabwean businesses to contribute to social activities because of the economic collapse in the country, business are struggling for their own survival and might not have anything to spare for social cause. However although corporations in Zimbabwe are not doing as much as corporations in developed countries, they are contributing to a greater extend to the social and economic development of the country.

The analysis will be qualitative and will also make use of secondary

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Best Essays

    In global markets, modern corporates have significant power to exercise a positive influence in the countries, where they buy goods and services from global suppliers in bulk. Recognising this influence is the first step to understand the contribution of the modern corporates in developing countries’ economies and in turn their self-benefit. As being giant firms at one end of the buying chain with the cost reduction advantage, they shouldn 't be reluctant of getting involved and operate with the suppliers to improve working conditions and comply with the ethical trading regulations. Business Corporations should also think and take responsibility for the environment around them. Taking this responsibility is the first step to recognize Corporate Social Responsibility. Corporate Social responsibility is when a business monitors and ensures its active compliance with the spirit of the law and ethical standards. It is a process with the aim to embrace responsibility for the company 's actions and encourage a positive impact through its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere. The concept of CSR is well explained by Gordan Brown, Chancellor of Exchequer, that in this era Corporate Social Responsibility goes far beyond the old trend of the past (donating money to a good cause at the end of the year) And is now an all year round responsibility the companies accept for the environment around them. To provide best working practices, the engagement in local communities and for their recognition that brand name does not only depend on quality, price and uniqueness but how they interact with companies’ workforce, community and the environment.…

    • 2128 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a topic has received the attention of organisations and managers as a whole. The 1950s marked the start of the modern era of CSR for managers, where Howard R. Bowen (1953) defines social responsibilities in his publication as the businesses’ duty to make decision and follow principles that are acceptable to society. However, Milton Friedman (1970) argued that social responsibilities is for people not businesses, he claims that the only responsibility business managers should have is to use all their resources to maximise profit and increase shareholder’s wealth (Friedman, York Times Magazine, September 13, 1970, pp. 32-34).…

    • 2250 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Critical Analysis of CSR

    • 2051 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Research in management and organization studies on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) suggests that even though a large number of issues are addressed from child labour to environment degradation. The orthodox research on CSR plays within quite narrow parameters and that too from the perspective of economically advanced countries. The body of knowledge available on the subject suggests that until recently very little was said regarding CSR processes and projects in the third world countries or emerging markets.…

    • 2051 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    In recent years, Corporate and Social Responsibility has become an ever increasing concern and source of community debate. It is now socially accepted that corporations have some ongoing responsibility, though sometimes ignored, to set a good example, make decisions based on social good and on ensuring positive environmental practices.…

    • 1006 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Business Case of Csr

    • 1663 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Customers, employees rather than only the financial share holders perspectives and interests. This commitment to the CSR from the business managers -no matter under the pressure of groups or in the absence of pressure groups- has a contrast with the money making philosophy of business which requires maximation of profits. This is where the argument emerges and the business case of CSR is questioned. In fact debates on business case of corporate social responsibility is one the most controversial issues of CSR. The literatures and empirical studies haven’t come to a common agreement if there is a business case for the CSR or not. I think when the benefits of CSR goes only to the society rather that to the company or the business which is socially responsible, the business case of CSR would be under a question mark. In terms of profitability this fact justifies if managers are not interested in being socially responsible to some extent.…

    • 1663 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    As globalization continues, the earth 's natural processes transform local problems into international issues along with the development of international commercial activities. Few communities are being left untouched by major environmental issues and social problems. As one of the most active and influential elements of the human society, the business world has been required, for several decades, to shoulder more responsibility by their consumers and society in general. The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) draws more and more attention from all sectors of society, and is considered as an issue that we cannot afford to ignore.…

    • 5717 Words
    • 23 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Business Case for Csr

    • 3517 Words
    • 15 Pages

    The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility is a relatively new in the management field and there is no single definition of it since everyone’s interpretation of the term is different. “Corporate Social Responsibility means something, but not always the same thing to everybody.” (Votaw, 1972, p.25) and from my understanding of the concept, CSR to me is “The voluntary business activities within the boundary of law that contributes to the wider community for a more sustainable environment”. Since everyone has a unique interpretation of CSR, the range of relevant CSR practices across businesses has been quite diverse as there is no such thing as features of CSR (Marcel van Marrewijk, 2003). Rising environmental and social concerns in recent years have leaded a large number of managers to focus on the importance of the contemporary concept of corporate social responsibility. “91 percent of executives believe that corporate responsibility creates shareholder value, or that 80 percent say that non-financial indicators are essential to characterize future financial performance.” (Blowfield and Murray, 2008, p.131; Figures from Ethical Corporation and Nima Hunter Inc, 2003) Therefore they generally agree with Davis that “A better society produces a better environment for business” (1973, p.313). Many researchers have shown that CSR can bring competitive advantages to businesses and suggested that in the long- run it can generate positive business performances (Blowfield and Murray, 2008). If that is the case, why isn’t every business doing it? Although the number of supporters of the business case for CSR is large, but so do the opposite view. Hence in this essay, I will explore the arguments and evidences both for and against the business case for CSR to provide a more solid foundation for my thesis that “Corporate social responsibility contributes to businesses”.…

    • 3517 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Unileve and Ben&Jerry's Csr

    • 5723 Words
    • 23 Pages

    In the last 50 years Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) became a day-today subject discussed by multinationals, governments, Non Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and society in general. These discussions vary from social to environmental issues, such as labor rights and climate change. Furthermore, CSR is directly linked to companies, thus most companies opt for certain programs from which will receive market-based incentives (Jr., W. et al., 2005). CSR as a mainstream topic can be seen through the volume of ‘voluntary’ actions, publications, seminars, and organizations, committed to it. However, there is not one unique definition of CSR although the fact most definitions comprise a correlation between profit maximization and the fulfillment of civil society (Doane, D., 2005). The term Corporate Social Responsibility started its uncoordinated evolution in 1950s, due to stakeholder pressures and commitments towards the future generations (De Bakker et al., 2005). This evolution was pronounced with the publication of “Social Responsibilities of the Businessman” by Howard R. Bowen’s, in 1953. After this publication, a great range of research and works was dedicated to the subject, contributing to the development of the social responsibility concept (Carroll, A., 1979). Some of the pioneers in CSR framework were Keith Davis (1960), he advocated that social responsibility related to businesses’ was…

    • 5723 Words
    • 23 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Philip Morris Csr

    • 5412 Words
    • 22 Pages

    Corporate social responsibility (CSR, also called corporate responsibility, corporate citizenship, and responsible business) is an idea of considering the interests of society by corporations. Companies take responsibility for the impact of their actions on customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, communities and other stakeholders, as well as the environment. This obligation is seen to extend beyond the statutory obligation to comply with legislation and sees organizations voluntarily taking further steps to improve the quality of life for employees and their families as well as for the local community and society at large1. Nowadays, CSR becomes more and more popular among big companies because it makes them able to be perceived in better light, by their customers. In current dense market, firms have to fight for the customer by offering something new or unique. They use CSR in order to create customers’ loyalty based on distinctive ethical values. On the other hand, many critics claim that the only reason why companies implement social projects is the benefit which they may generate by being perceived as socially aware entities.…

    • 5412 Words
    • 22 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    The field of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has now been embraced globally by all the modern entities of the globe. Advocates of the field argue that corporations that are perceived by society as being socially responsible are likely to derive enormous benefits from being so. They argue that most stakeholders whether primary or secondary, internal or external, local or national offer their support of the actions of these socially responsible corporations.…

    • 3996 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Csr Case Study

    • 6604 Words
    • 27 Pages

    Abstract: Starting from the times of barter system to today’s modern era of plastic money, the mankind has trodden a remarkably long path. Undoubtedly “profitability” has always been the driving force and an undercurrent behind all this development; but as every coin has two facets; growing cut throat competition and business rivalries started taking heavy toll on the quality, transparency, environment and the society in general endangering the peaceful coexistence of business and society. The businesses houses started realizing that they would have to rise over and above the profitability and take care of all those associated with their survival in the society directly or indirectly. This realization resulted into the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This research paper moves around developing an understanding about the corporate social responsibility (CSR), delving into its concept and finding out its scope taking the case study of the TATA Group under Mr. Ratan Tata who has exemplified the sense of responsibility towards the upliftment of common masses and protection of the environment and development of the nation. Keywords: Corporate citizenship, Corporate social responsibility, Employee, Productivity, Profitability, Society, Stakeholders. I. Introduction…

    • 6604 Words
    • 27 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    This essay is the first of a two-part series critically examining the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy and performance of AngloGold Ashanti (AGA). This first essay analyses the company’s CSR strategy and activities against the yard sticks provided by the Ghana Business Code and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). In analyzing AGA’s strategy, we explore the likely motivating factors driving the company’s CSR activities and how these drivers inform AngloGold’s responsiveness to environmental, social and other stakeholder issues. In evaluating AGA’s CSR reporting and performance, we present a background of the company followed by an overview of the company’s CSR strategy and analysis of whether that strategy conforms to accepted standards. This essay is written in partial fulfillment of the course requirements of the Ethics, Social Responsibility and Governance module (EMBA 663) of the Executive Masters in Business Administration program of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.…

    • 6706 Words
    • 27 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    The modern base of globalisation and ethical behaviour has considerably changed the basic philosophy of Corporate Social Responsibility of any organisation or company. Companies are awakened to be socially responsible for their profit maximisation. Most large Multi National companies feel extensive pressure from consumers, employees, suppliers, community groups, government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and institutional shareholders (these groups are collectively known as stake holders of a company) to engage in being socially responsible (Morrison Paul, Catherine J. and Siegel, Donald S., 2006). In recent years, scholars in the field of several business administrations have studied the implication of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on economical and communal performance of an organisation or a company.…

    • 4599 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Csr in Banking Sector of Bd

    • 16763 Words
    • 68 Pages

    The ‘social contract’ between the corporation and the community is of critical importance. The motivations for these contracts are continuously being revisited to understand how CSR programs can nurture and contribute to the growth of firms. While CSR issues are attracting a great deal of attention in the developed world, there is a need for more research into CSR in the developing world. This paper considers the CSR practices of a small sample of banks in Bangladesh to better understand this situation.…

    • 16763 Words
    • 68 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    CSR Reflection Paper

    • 2235 Words
    • 8 Pages

    The term “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) first emerged in the 1960s to discuss the role of business in society. Its definition, however, was argued by Friedman (1970) as a responsibility towards maximising shareholders value, with its “one and only social responsibility… is to use its resource and engage in activities designed to increase the profits so along as it stays within the rules of the game”. Over time, there are more versions of what CSR entailed, including that of the European Commission (2011), as “the concept that an enterprise is accountable for its impact on all relevant stakeholders. It is the continuing commitment by business to behave fairly and responsibly, and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the work force and their families as well as of the local community and society at large…” In essence, CSR is reflected as a contribution to sustainable development, implying the way…

    • 2235 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays