EFFECTS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON PROFITABILITY AND CORPORATE IMAGE OF A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION “A SURVEY OF SOME MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT
Social critics have noted the failure of organizations to put in place socially responsible ways and also to observe the areas of social commitment of business organizations. This enormous pressure from various interest groups has come to bear on business organizations to identify with corporate social performance and to solve those social problems relating to the areas in which they are intimately involved through their problem solving capabilities.
Modern business organizations especially the manufacturing companies are largely constrained by over competitions and profit to exhibit this sense of social responsibility even though such problem could turned to business opportunities.
Since most business organizations of today now use social responsibility to improve image, make profit and survive, a broad explanation of what corporate social performance is all about, its dimensional involvement, limitations, how it could be improved upon as well as its relevance to the individual organizations and the society at large will be highlighted in this study as outlined in the following chapters.
Chapter one of the study is on the introduction and problem definition of what the write up is all about. It gives insight into the areas of corporate social performance of business organizations with particular reference to private organization MTN firms. This Chapter also states the scope of the study, research questions and hypotheses, limitation of the study as well as significance of the study.
Chapter Two discusses relevant literature assertions which express views of other writers and authors comparing their varying ideas about the same topic.
Chapter Three deals with the research methodology, various information on data collection methods and description of the study population, sampling technique, description of the data collection instrument as well as he coding procedure for all the variables used in the study.
Chapter Four emphasizes on the presentation and analysis of data collected. It also presents the testing of the hypothesis through the use of statistical techniques which would lead to taking a position as to whether or not there in a significant relationship between corporate social responsibilities practice and organizational effectiveness.
Chapter Five presents findings of the study, summary of the findings made, conclusion and recommendation and also suggestions for further studies drawn based on findings obtained from the study.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Purpose of Study
1.4 Research questions & Hypotheses
1.5 Scope and Limitations of the study
1.6 Significance for the study
1.7 Definition of terms?
Reference
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Conceptual framework
2.3 Theoretical frame work
2.4 Areas of social responsibility
2.5 Corporate social integrity and Responsibility
2.6 Contrasting views on social integrity & responsibly
2.7 Evaluating corporate social performance
2.8 Continuous of social responsibility strategies.
2.9 Ethics, Social Integrity and Managerial performance
2.10 Social responsibility and organization performance
2.11 Summary
Reference
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research method and design
3.3 Data collection method
3.4 Population and sampling plan
3.5 Distributing of research instrument
3.6 Statistical Tools
3.7 Coding Procedure
3.8 Limitation of methodology
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION OF ANALYSIS OF DATA
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Analysis of Respondents’ Bio data
4.3 Analysis of Research statement
4.4 Testing of Hypothesis
4.5 Discussion of the result and Decision
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary
5.3 Conclusion
5.4 Recommendation
5.5 Suggestion for further studies.
BIBILOGRAPHY
APPENDIXES
Research Questionnaire.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACGROUND TO THE STUDY
All organizations exists in complex relationship with elements in their external environments. Corporate social performance is therefore an obligation of organization to act in ways that serve both its own interest and that of its many external public. These publics are considered stakeholder persons, and groups who are affected in one way or the other by the activities of an organization. They are people affected in one way or the other by its commitment to social responsibilities (Ogbuechi, 1998)
Corporations have grown larger and more powerful that their influence have become more pervasive thus creating an imbalance which is likely to have been instrumental in generating a movement to promote more socially conscious business performances. (Holmes 1977).
Andrew (1977) described social responsibilities as the intelligent and objective concern which restrains individuals or corporate behavior from destructive activities no matter how immediately profitable but rather direct their positive contribution to human betterment.
Ogbuechi (1998) submitted that an organization is meeting its economic responsibility when it earns profit through the provision of goods and services desired by customers. Legal responsibilities are fulfilled when an organization operates within the law and according to the requirements of various external regulations. Ideally, economic responsibility is met in a legal responsible manner.
Luttan and Hodget (1976) submitted that a classis discussion of corporate social performance is the obligation of a businessman to pursue those policies, to make decisions or to follow those lines of action which are desirable in terms of objectives and values of the society.
Imosili (1985)said that the major limitations of these conceptions about corporate social performances are the failure to make into account organizations ability to become ‘missionaries’. There is a wide spread acceptance of the idea that corporations should exhibit socially responsible behavior, there is however a wide disagreement about how they should go about it.
Lawal (1993) therefore concluded that social responsibility is a nebulous concept that has been described in a number of ways. He said that most writers on social responsibility see the concept as the disposition of organizations to exhibit ‘missionary’ rather that ‘mercenary’ attitudes towards the society.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Question regarding ethnics and social responsibility have always surfaced in the discussions pertaining to the activities of corporations in emerging market such as Nigerian. Giving the size of the Nigerian economy as well as the enormous potentials it offers, it has become increasingly necessary to promote higher ethnical standards among leaders of major Nigeria corporations as the global awareness of ethnical and corporate responsibilities issues is continually increasing the conduct of business transaction, efficiency and effectiveness in technocratic terms is no longer sufficient to preserve the accept ability of the Nigerian mangers in the global market place, but may have to include issues of ethnical and corporate social integrity considerations. Though there is yet no universal morality standard, ethical and social must become and integral part of decision making process of Nigeria managers. This decisions making must include every aspect of managing the business including production, marketing, financial, legal and human resource.
1.3 PURPOSE OF STUDY
The study seeks to evaluate corporate social performance by identifying those areas of commitment of business organizations in Nigeria with particular reference to manufacturing firms.
The study will also examine the relationship between social responsibility practice and organization performance. It is to analyze and discuss the result of findings with a view to giving useful suggestion on how organizations can better put their social awareness programmes into profitable practice.
The study will also examine the impact of organizations involvement in social responsibility practice as it affects their profitability level and corporate image.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS & HYPOTHESES
RESEARCH QUESTIONS: The following research question and hypothesis shall be examined so as to provide the foundation for the study.
QUESTIONS:
1. Is there any significant relationship between organizations to social performance and profitability?
2. Is there any significant relationship between organizations to social performance and corporate image?
3. Is there any significant relationship between organization to social performance and organizational effectiveness?
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
1. Null Hypothesis (Ho): There is no significant relationship between corporate social performance and organizational effectiveness.
Alternative Hypothesis (Hi): There is significant relationship between corporate social performance and organizational effectiveness.
2. Null Hypothesis (Ho): There is no significant relationship between corporate social performance and organizational profitability.
Alternative hypothesis (Hi): There is significant relationship between corporate social performance and organizational profitability.
3. Null Hypothesis (Ho): There is no significant relationship between social performances and organizational profitability.
Alternative Hypothesis (Hi):There is significant relationship between corporate social performances and organization corporate image.
1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study is restricted to a select few manufacturing firms in Lagos and Jos where the respondents shall be randomly selected. This can be attributable to the major constraints of the study such as inability to go round all the manufacturing firms, time constraints as well as financial implications. Hence the generalization of the study will be restricted. The study will however provide the required foundation for further studies.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The result of the findings and recommendations would benefit and guide organizations by highlighting different areas where they can be socially responsible; and measuring the impact of social responsibility. In addition it will demonstrate how social responsibility can be converted to opportunity thereby improving on corporate image and ensuring long-run profitability for the organization.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms may be understood thus, as used by me in the study.
CORPORATE IMAGE: This is an intangible possession that distinguishes and enable a business organization to continually earn profit in excess of the normal profit earned by business of similar type.
BUSINESS ETHICS: This is a system of moral principles and behavior and their application to particular problems or conduct as it relates to business.
ORGANIZATION: A firms physical structure or a structural system of rules, regulations and functional relationship designed to carry out a firm’s policies and programs.
ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCES: This is defined as a function of profitability, survival and growth. It could also be defined as the achievement of a particular goal or objective.
ORGANIZATIONAL SURVIVAL: This is a situation where a business firm would always keep its head above the water i.e. it will continue to earn profit through the provision of goods and services irrespective of the economic conditions.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: This is an intelligent and objective concern for the welfare of the society.
ORGANIZATIONAL PROFITABILITY: This is the rate at which organization revenue generated from sales exceed production cost, overhead and prime cost.
REFERENCES
ANDREW (1977) “Key to social responsibility” cited Adeleke P in managing Nigeria’s economic system. Inaga E, Nigeia: Heinman Education Books Nigerian Ltd. (Copied from management in focus)
HOLMES S.L (1977) ‘Corporate social performances’ past and present areas of commitment. Academy of management Journal 1977 Vol 20 no 3 pp 433-438 University of Texas San Antonio
IMOSILI (1985): Reference from Management in focus.
LAWAL A.A (1993): Management in focus PP 244-251
LUTTAN AND HODGET (1976): Social issues in business. A test with current readings and cases New York; Macmillan publishing company as Quoted by management in focus.
OGBUECHI A. (1998) Promoting international Business Ethnic and integrity among Nigerian Managers. Journal of Management in Nigeria. Apr – Dec 1998. PP 10 – 15.
.