Exploring the benefits of CSI on the growth of emerging SMEs in Namibia: Evidences from Lock and Keys

Abstract

This paper investigates how CSI implementation leads to business growth among the emerging SMEs. The study focuses mainly on the roles of the management in implementing CSI, the CSI benefits, as well as the challenges of implementing CSI. This study is grounded on instrumental and political theories. It attempted a combination of methods of analysis namely content and textual analysis in analysing the qualitative data. In order to get a broader understanding CSI, qualitative method was used. A holistic sample technique was used to drawn 15 respondents from the population of employees of Key and Lock. The sample comprised of 4 managers and 11 employees. The respondents were interviewed using structured interview questions. The findings show that managers were the most important drivers of CSI implementation and their influences were essential in boosting CSI activities. Furthermore, CSI provided potential benefits to the company such as high profits, enhanced corporate image, improved employee morale, stabilising the customer loyalty, attract employees and increase company reputation. It was found that emerging SMEs can embrace CSI portfolios as part of social responsibility within the scope of their finances. Furthermore, Lock and Key fulfil the social responsibility by caring for the environment through clearing of the disposed metals from the environment and sell goods and services at affordable price. This act tally with bottom of the economy pyramid theory. The study recommended that CSI should be strategies and be used as a mechanism of boosting company growth. CSI acts as a shield to the SMEs and create competitive advantage. The emerging SMEs need to opt for CSI portfolios that do not require intense capital investment. This will enable them to offer philanthropic services to community at an affordable price. The biggest challenges in implementing CSI were lack of finance, overall perception and the understanding of CSI among the employees and poor knowledge of CSI.