Citizens' Perspective of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Activities by the Financial Institutions of Bangladesh : Are They Societal or Promotional?

Abstract

The study tried to find out citizens’ perception regarding different CSR activities undertaken by the financial institutions of Bangladesh. The financial institutions of Bangladesh are found to be mostly involved in 27 CSR activities in five major areas (education, health, infrastructural, public awareness, socio-cultural). The analysis of the 27 CSR activities on the basis of the citizens’ responses has shown a clear perception of the citizens’ understanding regarding the CSR activities undertaken by different institutions of Bangladesh. As noted, the citizens very clearly indicated that the health sector activities, infrastructural development and social awareness campaigns for CSR are more societal than profit-oriented. On the other hand, education related activities to them are to some extent societal than profit driven. But the socio-cultural events they perceive to be more profit driven than societal. Overall the citizens view regarding these CSR activities not purely societal but more societal than profit-oriented. Gender-wise not much difference is observed in the responses.