Corporate social responsibility in Kenya: Blessing, curse or necessary evil?

Abstract

The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been characterized by contestations and operational lacunas. This makes the concept unclear, fuzzy and subject to a multiplicity of interpretations (Idemudia, 2014; Okoye, 2009). Further- more, CSR is understood differently in diverse contexts, which results in its underdevelopment (Visser, 2008). This has led to confusions and difficulties in efforts to implement the CSR agenda. Despite the increasing interest in CSR research in different contexts and situa- tions, the role of CSR in developing countries, and in particular during challenging times, has been neglected. Such challenges include the following: financial crisis, climate change, political upheavals, extreme poverty, and conflict. Indeed, most studies on CSR in challenging times have focused mainly on financial crisis. It has been reported that attention to CSR has increased in the recent past following serious financial scandals and the collapse of large corporations in Europe and the United States of America (USA). Since these challenging environments are more prominent in certain contexts (e.g. developing countries) than others, the need for CSR studies in such contexts is critical. The issues facing developing countries have been worsened by challenges surrounding political, social, economic, legal and environmental issues in some developing countries. Thus, CSR calls for a range of strategies, depending upon different contexts and situations. For instance, while in times of economic crisis organizations could focus on cost reduction strategies, other challenging circum- stances may call for alternative strategies. Inevitably, most organizations reduce their expenditure on CSR during times of financial crunch.