Role of Community Perceptions in Corporate Social Responsibility

Abstract

Academics and business professionals have grown increasingly interested in the topic of corporate social responsibility (CSR). In terms of corporate-community interactions, this study adds to the conversation on CSR in the context of the Nigerian oil industry. It especially entails a review of CSR programs implemented by multinational corporations (MNC) doing business in the Niger Delta and their effects on the traditional means of subsistence of the indigenous populations. In order to analyse the interaction between the host communities and the MNCs, this study explores community attitudes and expectations. This article uses a qualitative research approach and employs three focus groups, 28 semi-structured interviews, and twenty-eight interviews to gather empirical data. This is crucial because the majority of the CSR research in this area has focused on descriptive and in-depth theoretical explanations. The research's conclusions point to a highly complex interaction between the host communities and the MNCs. The host communities view the MNCs as unfair, indifferent to their plights, ignoring their obligations to them, and failing to live up to their expectations. Therefore, it is concluded that the local community have experienced conflict and ongoing unhappiness with the MNC as a result of the detrimental effects of oil extraction activities. They anticipate mutually beneficial outcomes.