CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In democratic society, we have many freedoms that we can exercise within certain limits.
However, in enjoying our freedoms, we do not have the right to have the way that infringes the freedom of others.
We must act in a responsible manner by showing concern for other, like wise business organizations are expected to act in a responsible way towards its host community and the society in general.
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Social responsibility is a philosophy which states that when managers make decisions, they should be concerned about the effect of such decisions on the public such as employees, customers, owners, managers themselves, the business organisation and the community in general.
This philosophy encompasses a willingness on the part of a business organisation to help the society deal with social issues. To put social responsibility into action, everyone in business should make decisions that will influence the common benefit of social members.
The issue of translating the philosophy of social responsibility on the host community by business organisations has not been an easy task. All types and sizes of business organisation focuses on one or two social problem. There are also some business organisation that absolutely does nothing to solve any social problem surrounding its business community.
An organisation is made up of people and typical executive, when it is a member of the community in his dual role as the owner of the enterprises. Whatever affects the community as a whole affects the businessman and his society just like everyone else in the culture, the effect is that the society will breath polluted air, drink polluted water, be part of a crowed city that uses unsafe product, be misled by false advertising and could be deprived of some of their social benefits because of the political party, sex, ethic groups or religious belief. (Nwachukwu 1988:274).
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Some selected industries in Warri encounter some of the problems below while trying to be socially responsible on their community.
Inadequate personnel is seen as a person within an organisation who is concern with the welfare of the people working in industry and a community at large, knowing what the community demands from them in trying to be socially responsible.
Unstable demands; human wants are unlimited which implies that the means of satisfying then are limited. Since human wants are unstable, it will be difficult for the industry to predict the solution of the unstable demand and ways of satisfying them (community).
Inadequate capital/fund; the problem of inadequate capital to embark on a social responsibility project that will bring about an enabling community for the business. This posses a great problem to the industry.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This research work is carried out in order to dictate the following objectives.
To identify the effect of being socially responsible on community of some selected industries in Warri
To determine what it takes to be socially responsible.
The problems that could arise in trying to be socially responsible.
To identify the dimensions in which some business organisation can exercise social responsibility towards their community.
To know what social responsibility means to the community of some selected industries in Warri.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What are the effect of being socially responsible?
What does it takes to be socially responsible?
How do we identify the dimensions in which some business organisation can exercise social responsibility?
What is social responsibility to the community of some business organisation?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will serve as a guide and reference to managers in considering the various publics while making decisions. It will also serve as reference literature for future researchers on related areas.
The study will help to acquaint business merely some industries on how and what they should do to help ease some of the problems of social responsibility surrounding its community. The study also will give the researcher an extensive knowledge of what social responsibility means to business organisation. The study will be of immense importance to other business organisation which may wish to implement the proposal.
1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study will be within the confines of the stated objectives. For this reason, this work would be focused on S.S.I in Warri.
This project is also being planned as the effect of making the industry understand the benefits of being socially responsible on their community so as to being about an enabling community for business operations. A study of this nature cannot be carried out without some forms of handicaps militating against the researcher.
This constraint not only makes the execution of the project extremely difficult, but also affect the scope of the study.
1.7 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE COMPANY
Some selected industries in Warri (SSI) as some industries started as a sole proprietorship business in the mid-fifties, marketing pharmaceutical products under the name Onwunna and Sons Company which was founded by late Chief Dr. Peter S. Onwunna.
The founders guiding principle of honest, hard work, perseverance and integrity helped set SSI on the footpath to resumptions of business once again. From his humble beginning and strong belief in the Almighty God, he natured some selected industries through these most demanding time, courage, patriotism and foresight brought him into industry in 1973. SSI was separated and together with their enormous trading experience and distributive network, they also began candle manufacturing that same year.
Strong determination of the company led to the establishment of Pilot Cosmetics Factory in 1975 and plastics in 1978 and chemist shops modernized to present a credible outlet for the companies ever increasing range of products, it is of immense interest to note that a vertical system exists between the cosmetics, plastics and pharmaceutical factories whereby all needed packaging materials are supplied by the plastic factory.
1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION TERMS
Socially responsible: Is the philosophy, which is focusing on the effect of managers decision upon the public, such as employees, customers, company owners, the managers themselves and society in general.
Community: It is place where goods are being produce from their raw material stage to finished product.
Host: A country, a city or an organisation that holds and arranges a special event.
Effect: To cause, to come into use.
Organisation: Refers to the process of co-ordinating individual effort to accomplish a common objective.
Manager: This is a person who is into a position of responsibility for the work of others, makes optimum and proper utilization of the companies resources, and as well as time towards the achievement of organisational goals and objectives.
THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON HOST COMMUNITY
