A Qualitative Research on Municipalities’ Social Responsibility Practices in Izmir City

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the social responsibility practices of municipalities in Izmir City. Since the main purpose was to analyze different social responsibility practices of municipalities; two municipalities from urban districts, Karabaglar and Bornova, and two municipalities from rural districts, Kemalpasa and Seferihisar, were selected for qualitative research by using maximum variation sampling technique. The aim was to represent the social responsibility practices of municipalities chosen, not to generalize the findings to all municipalities in Izmir City. The technique of semi-structured interviewing was used to gather profound information regarding municipalities’ social responsibility practices. One municipal official from each municipality who works for managing social responsibility practices was chosen for the interview. While data obtained from the research was analyzing, direct quotations that reflect the interviewees’ opinions were used. According to the findings; it was found that municipalities conducted social responsibility practices regarding social support, health, education, culture, environment, and animals. It was recommended to municipalities that they should improve their social responsibility practices in order to ensure social welfare. Only four municipalities of total thirty municipalities in Izmir City were included to the research. The other municipalities’ social responsibility activities may be examined in further research within the scope of constituting a general social responsibility plan for Izmir City. This research contributes to the literature because it represents the social responsibility practices implemented by the municipalities in Izmir City