Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria: Reflections and Reconceptualisation

Abstract

The work introduces Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and offers an overview of this business governance and management model as generally conceived around the globe. It investigates the historical perspectives, definitions, connotations and usual debates surrounding the CSR discourse. It appraises the challenges surrounding effective CSR practice in Nigeria and queries the rather restrictive conceptualization of the CSR subject in terms of corporate charity or philanthropy. Further, it sets an agenda for a critical inquiry into the theoretical models and philosophical underpinnings of CSR towards finding an effective and widely-acceptable CSR regulatory framework which appears to be globally missing at the moment.

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Charity, CSR, Nigeria, Reconceptualisation

JEL Classification: K22