IMPACT OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF A MULTINATIONAL OIL AND GAS COMPANY ON ITS HOST COMMUNITIES

ABSTRACT

This study explores the impact of the corporate social responsibility of TOTAL Exploration and production Nigeria Limited (TEPNG) on its host communities.

One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were administered equally amongst staff in the Lagos and Port-Harcourt offices respectively. All the administered questionnaires were retrieved and subsequently used for data analyses. 

The results obtained from the study indicate that TEPNG and its host communities enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship and the company’s reputation and brand have been strengthened by its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

The study also showed that the company’s CSR activities enhances its ability to attract and retain employees in its workforce and also presents investment opportunities in its host communities. 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0Overview of the Study

Business organizations, right from the inception of the human race, have been regarded as constructive partners in the communities in which they operate. Though they have been instrumental in creating employment, wealth, products and services, yet the pressure on business to play a role in social issues involving employees, stakeholders, society, environment, government etc. is continuously increasing. The society is questioning the existence of business organizations, especially in the wake of the scandals and scams conducted by the corporate organizations. In response to it, the organizations around the globe are forced to wake up to the need for being committed towards Corporate Social Responsibility (Sharma et. al.2009).

Over the years, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has gained unprecedented momentum in business and public debate and has become a strategic issue crossing the departmental boundaries, and affecting the way in which a company does business. It has become so important that many organizations have rebranded their core values to include social responsibility. Almost all corporate websites, policies and reports talk about their endeavors for CSR which has become a way of ensuring that the organization is fulfilling all the obligations towards society and thus is eligible for the license to operate. It assures that the organization can grow on a sustainable basis (Malikarjunan K. 2006).

 In support of the above, Sharma et. al.(2009)  say these activities of CSR range from small donations to bigger projects for social welfare. Sustainable practices between organizations to organization depending on the resources available to an organization for undertaking sustainable practices.
Business practices of big and successful companies, with plenty of resources at their disposal, have set the trend for being committed to sustainable practices. Such companies around the globe show their commitment to social responsibility. Examples include, Microsoft, ExxonMobil etc.

Corporations are encouraged to behave socially responsibly on a wide range of issues (Welford and Frost, 2006; Engle, 2006). However, in both the corporate and the academic world there is uncertainty as to how CSR should be defined. Some go as far as saying ‘We have looked for a definition and basically there isn’t one’ (Jackson and Hawker, 2001:3).