ATTITUDES OF INDIGENOUS FIRMS ON CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
ABSTRACT
Corporate social responsibility is presently defined by the World BusinessCouncil of Sustainable Development as persistent commitment by businesses to behaveethically and contribute to economic development while also increasing the quality of lifeof employees, their families, and the community. The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) continues to grow in recent years and is graduallybecoming a global trend. Despite this growth, the adoption of CSR is still very small in the Nigeria.
The purpose of this study was to analyze the attitudes of indigenous firms on CSR. The study used a survey research design of employees of carefully selected indigenous firms in Ugbowo, Benin City, Edo State. The study used convenience sampling techniques to arrive at the expected sample size of 80 respondents.
The data was analyzed using descriptive statistical method and linear regression. The study found that there is a positive attitude of firms towards CSR practices; indigenous firms implement CSR through transparency; the degree of indigenous firms’ compliance with CSR is high and there is a positive impact of CSR on indigenous firms.
The study recommended that indigenous firms should integrate both social and environmental upliftment; CSR should be seen as social obligation businesses owe their shareholders, the community, etc; indigenous firms should fix a minimum percentage of profit they should expend on CSR and finally they should see all the problems in the community as a business opportunity.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study    -  
Statement of the Problem    -    -    -   
Research Questions    -    -    -   
The Objectives of the Study    -    -
Significance of the Study    -    -
Scope of the Study    -    -
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    -
2.3 Evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility    -
2.3 Corporate Social Responsibility- Development in Nigeria  
2.4 Legal and Ethical Responsibilities
2.5 Reasons for Companies to Engage in CSR
2.6 The Fallouts of Corporate Social Responsibility Programmes 
2.7 Importance Of and Motivation For Incorporating CSR 
2.8 Different Types Of CSR Activities   
2.9 The Evolution of the Concepts of the Stakeholder    -
2.10 CSR and Relevant Theories
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1introduction    -
3.2 Research Design  
3.3 The Population and Sampling  
3.4Operationalization an Measurement of Variables  
3.5 Research Instrument     -
3.6 Sources of Data     -    -    -    -    -
3.7 Methods of data Analysis    -    -    -    -  
3.8 Reliability and Validity of the Scale    -
 CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction    -    -  
4.2 Analysis of Data    -    -    -
4.3 Discussion of Findings-    -    -    -    -
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction    -    -    -    -    -    -
5.2 Summary of Findings    -    -    -    - 
5.3 Contribution to Knowledge or Practices    -    -    -    -
5.4 Conclusions    -    -    -    -    -
5.5 Recommendations    -    -    -    -
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Since the late 1980’s, there are many who have explored the effects of globalization and global capitalism(Oguntade&Mafimisebi, 2011; Moon, 2002). In the beginning most people viewed the system as the best system with regard to contributing to wealth creation. But in the mid 1990’s, the failure of the system, like a huge income gaps between nations, were beginning to become obvious. The debate has been concerned with the need for strong and moral ecology which reflects the wider social and cultural mores of the society. For this ecology to be developed there is need to support, not only from governments, but from stakeholders, not the least from the private business sector (Pearce & Robinson, 2011).
Dunning (2003) urges the development of what he names a Responsible Global Capitalism that should not be considered as an end itself, but as a means of social transformation of societies to create a better life for its citizens. According to Dunning no single religion or philosophy can force its unique values and standard upon others but each religion or philosophy can contribute to a sustainable moral ecology.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the set of standards to which a company subscribes in order to make its impact on society, has potential to make positive contributions to the development of society and businesses. More and more organizations are beginning to see the benefits of setting up strategic CSR agendas. The CSR movement is spreading over the world and in recent years a large number of methods and framework have been developed. A number of studies indicate that the understanding and practice of CSR is socio-culturally framed (Amaeshi, Adi, Ogbechie&Amao, 2006). Despite this fact, research on management and CSR in Africa is relatively scarce and to a large extent based on a developing-developed world paradigm (Jackson, 2004).
With regard to Nigeria, studies on CSR do exist, but it seems like most of these studies have focused mainly on multinational companies and less neither on Indigenous companies nor on the regional contexts in which the companies operate. Lately failures of institutions in Africa have been debated. What is important to remember in this debate is that most African countries inherited a model of strong and centralized state with the main purpose to uphold law and collect taxes (Dia, 1999). Today there is a growing understanding, that western institutional and management models exported to other regions of the world are not always very successful (Wohlgemuth, Carlsson&Kifle, 2009).
The study has as its entry point the attitude of indigenous companies towards CSR. Nigeria has a long experience of managing cultural diversity and multiple stakeholders and it citizens and business leaders have managed to cross cultural dynamics on a daily basis. There ought to be lessons and experiences drawn from good practice from indigenous firms in Nigeria that can contribute, not only to managing in Africa but to managing throughout the world.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Corporate Social Responsibility can make a positive contribution to the development of society and businesses. But the question is if we will succeed when focusing on universal CSR approaches. Some predictions suggest that in the next two decades global players are emerging, such as China and India, together with others. The report “Corporate Social Responsibility at a Crossroads” (Ward & Smith, 2006) informs of the growing economic and political significance of Brazil, Russia, India and China and its effect on the future CSR. The report acknowledges the longer-term impacts of China’s participation in the global economy and its implications for standards of social responsibility.
The purpose of this study is primarily to gain an understanding of the attitudes of indigenous firms on CSR and how the negative thinking of stakeholders on CSR can be bad for the profits of organizations. The aim is to examine how indigenous firms view their role and part in reaching sustainable growth and development in Nigeria, and to find out what the learning experiences can be used, not only by multinational companies operating in Nigeria but by management globally.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS                            
In the light of the above, the study intends to ask the following questions:
What is the attitude of indigenous firms towards CSR practices?
What are the ways indigenous firms implement CSR?
What is the degree of corporate compliance with social responsibility expectations?
What are the benefits of CSR to its environments and society?
What is the impact of CSR on the indigenous firm?
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Based on the above research questions, the objectives can be put forward as thus:
To ascertain the attitudes of indigenous firms towards CSR.
To determine the ways indigenous firms implement CSR.
To ascertain the degree of corporate compliance with social responsibility expectations.
To ascertain the benefit of CSR to nits environment and society.
To determine the impact of CSR on the indigenous firms.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This research work deals with the salient concept namely Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a concept that has undoubtedly gained an unprecedented global focus and attention because its broad and highly diverse nature touches several issues which are frequently under the international spotlight like environmental protection, provision of opportunities to economically disable as well as access to health and education for the less privileged amongst others. This work will provide an unrivalled understanding and sufficient clarifications on the concept of corporate social responsibility in indigenous firms. The important findings will ultimately serve as an ethical check on their activities. This may stir less compliant corporations towards becoming more socially responsible while those regarded as compliant stand to enjoy a great deal of consumer loyalty thereby increasing corporate profitability, shareholders wealth and societal welfare.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The basic intent of this study is to explore indigenous firm’s attitudes, behaviour and perceptions as it concerns Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This research work concentrates on understanding organisational perception on CSR using Ugbowo as a case study. The population of the study shall be indigenous firms in Ugbowo,Ovia North-East of Edo State.
1.7LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY                            
Certain limitations might be faced in the course of completing this study which may include the possibility of making errors; also there maybe bias of filling out questionnaires by respondents which might affect the outcome of this study.