Repository logo
 

Faculty of Management Sciences

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://ir-dev.dut.ac.za/handle/10321/13

Browse

Filters

2014 - 201912020 - 20224

Settings

Subject: search.filters.subject.Corporate Social Responsibility

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An assessment of reporting tools used for corporate social responsibility in the Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME) Sector in Kwazulu-Natal
    (2021-04) Buthelezi, Mthokozisi; Rampersad, Renitha; Gopaul, Roger
    Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are considered as the key role drivers in order to close the gap of inequality, particularly when it comes to investing in disadvantaged communities. In South Africa, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is proposed as a strategy to revive the competitiveness of SMMEs. As global competitiveness continues to be a momentous trend, the notion of CSR is proposed as an impressive strategy to invigorate the operations and competitiveness of SMMEs. The aim of this study was to assess the reporting tools used for CSR in the SMME sector in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). In so doing, this study utilised a qualitative research approach to assess the reporting tools used by the SMME sector. Nonprobability and judgmental sampling was used to obtain participants. The target population was selected from the three geographic areas in KZN, namely Pietermaritzburg, Durban and Richards Bay. The population centered on 15 CEO’s, and 15 general public representatives that had benefited from the CSR projects of the 15 selected enterprises. The participants were selected by the researcher based on their involvement on CSR. In-depth interviews, observation, and focus group discussions were conducted by the researcher to collect primary data from the SMME CEO’s and the beneficiaries from their companies. The study revealed that some SMMEs used platforms such as meetings and strategic sessions to report on their CSR engagements. The findings further outlined that social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were the most preferred reporting tools by SMME owners. The fact that these tools did not cost the company much was considered to be a major motivator for the adoption. Given that majority of SMMEs are actively engaged in CSR, most of them did not report their programmes at all to their stakeholders even though there are free tools that can be utilised. The study has provided additional contribution to the current literature on CSR and SMMEs. It further provided recommendations on how SMMEs can implement CSR programmes efficiently and use appropriate tools to communicate and report their CSR activities competently.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The role of corporate social responsibility in promoting growth in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the hospitality sector in Pietermaritzburg
    (2021-10) Ngubane, Nompumelelo; Chazireni, Bobo
    There is a consensus about SMEs being key to the growth of most economies in Africa and the world in general. SMEs have been branded as fecund drivers of economic growth and sustainable development in South Africa and the world at large. The existence of SMEs in any economy is of paramount importance despite them bullied by large corporations. There is growing recognition of the important role SMEs play in economic development. SMEs often described as efficient and prolific job creators, the seeds of big businesses and the fuel of national economic engines with much hype on their ability to create employment. Research on Corporate Social Responsibility in SMEs is limited, especially in developing countries. Considering Hospitality sector in Pietermaritzburg Municipal region, corporate social responsibility has been growing greater importance in the minds of businesses. Given the enormity of the South African economy, social responsibility for business took centre stage during the socio-economic turbulence experienced in the country. While playing such a significant role in the economy, to address this, the study will investigate perceived effectiveness of Corporate Social Responsibility as a stimulant of growth for SMEs in the service sector in Pietermaritzburg municipal area. The research shall consider the convenience and purposive sampling as sampling strategies. It will employ a sampling design where participants are conveniently but purposively selected on a volunteering basis. The quantitative approach will be used where a questionnaire is going to be used to obtain and analyse primary data. The study will make use of numeric data making use of descriptive research design to drive results and conclusions. This shall be done by assessing the attitude levels of Hospitality SMEs towards corporate social responsibility; the practice of corporate social responsibility by hospitality SMEs; exploring barriers undermining the practice of corporate social responsibility by hospitality SMEs; and exploring SME owner-managers‘ values key to the sustainable growth of the business. This study aspired to expand and contribute significantly to the body of knowledge regarding CSR by examining CSR on sustainable growth of hospitality SMEs in Pietermaritzburg Municipal region. As new knowledge, the study proposed a model based on the Stakeholder Theory which is meant to assist Hospitality SMEs in Pietermaritzburg Municipal region to apply positive attitude towards embracing CSR in their businesses. However, the study recommends that local authorities and chambers of commerce must play a leading role in awareness and support mobilisation to try and motivate hospitality SMEs to practise CSR. In addition, it is recommended that the phrase ‗Corporate Social Responsibility‘ should be re-phrased as ‗Small Business Responsibility‘ or generally ‗Business Responsibility‘ as a way of contextualising the whole responsible business idea, promote and refer to the social responsibility of SMEs. The phrase simply drives SMEs to think that they are excluded from the practice because of their size. The concept Corporate Social Responsibility imposes a challenging journey on SMEs it is psychologically intimidating to SMEs, hence resistance to the practise of CSR.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Insights into corporate social responsibility in small and medium enterprises in South Africa
    (International Journal of Special Education, 2022-03-03) Maome, Itumeleng Judith; Zondo, Robert Walter Dumisani
    Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are recognised around the world for their contribution to a country's social and economic growth. They are the fertile generators of economic growth and development for South Africa. It has been recognised that one of the strategies that contributes to the longevity and success of businesses is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Hence, this study provides an insight into the influence of CSR on business growth in South Africa. Various scholars assert that CSR is more evident in major corporations with structured CSR strategies. Such businesses have separate divisions dedicated to CSR initiatives. However, CSR activities in SMEs in South Africa are still sketchy. They are based on the personal judgement and beliefs of owners and managers. There is a lack of awareness of the advantages of CSR in SMEs in South Africa. The lack of top management commitment has also been identified as a barrier to SMEs participating in CSR in South Africa. Consequently, there is more focus on the application of CSR in big corporations, thus neglecting SME participation in this initiative. It has thus been established that CSR remains a development tool that facilitates growth for SMEs in South Africa. Not all CSR activities require businesses to spend millions on such activities. SMEs may choose projects that are within their economic means. Hence, CSR awareness campaigns are useful to assist SMEs to make their projects more explicit.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implementation in the KwaZulu-Natal hotels - barriers and drivers
    (2021-01) Maqalika, Lungile Rosemary; Sucheran, Reshma
    Hotels in the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa face vast barriers and drivers for Corporate Social Responsibility implementation. The study investigated the nature and extent of Corporate Social Responsibility implementation in the KwaZulu-Natal hotel sector. Challenges and benefits associated with Corporate Social Responsibility implementation in the sector were identified as well as how hotels report the Corporate Social Responsibility practices. The quantitative approach was adopted using self- administered questionnaires to collect primary data via electronic mail. The population comprised of 114 star graded hotels in KwaZulu-Natal, a total of 74 (65%) responses were obtained. The key findings in the study indicated that the hotel’s Corporate Social Responsibility practices focused on social, environmental, and economic pillars with specific activities related to each pillar. The major barriers to Corporate Social Responsibility implementation cost, knowledge and expertise, lack of training and opportunities, time, and thecomplexity of Corporate Social Responsibility, were identified as well as the drivers; profitability, positive business reputation, costs saving, improved branding, and improved public image. Hotels used websites, annual reports, and word of mouth to report their Corporate Social Responsibility practices.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Examining the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Sub-Saharan Africa
    (Virtus Interpress, 2014) Rampersad, Renitha; Skinner, Chris
    In this study, we will examine the way in which CSR is conceptualised by various scholars along with the realities of its implementation on the ground in specific African countries. The key objectives of this paper are therefore; to extend the discussion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by providing insight into the effect that the level of economic development may have on CSR and the impact this may have on the practice of CSR amongst leading companies in Sub-Saharan Africa. The paper will focus on discovering the similarities and differences in policies, procedures and practices in the region as a whole. In order to help shed some light on these issues, this article explores how leading companies report on CSR in five Sub-Saharan countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa). Our analysis of company information reveals that opportunities are widely appreciated and that most companies report on their economic and social impacts. However, CSR reporting is fairly generic, and the specific context seems to bear only a limited influence on the type of CSR activities undertaken.