NATURE AND PRACTICE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: A STUDY OF JULIUS BERGER (NIGERIA) PLC IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORRY, ABUJA, (2010-2015)

NATURE AND PRACTICE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: A STUDY OF JULIUS BERGER (NIGERIA) PLC IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORRY, ABUJA, (2010-2015)

Abstract:

This research examined the nature and practice of corporate social responsibility in Nigeria. The primary focus of the study was to establish a relationship between construction companies, with Julius Berger as the case study, and CSR engagements in the Federal Capital Territory-Abuja.Corporate social responsibility is a panacea in bringing development, especially in the rural communities. Where-ever infrastructural facilities are either not available or inadequate, standard of living has dwindled, there is lack of development, and governments are no longer able to meet the needs, CSR is most needed. It is against the quest for the use of CSR in solving societal problems that this research proposed to investigate whether Julius Berger Company has actually used its corporate social responsibility initiatives in meeting infrastructural needs of its host communities in the FCT. In places where corporate social responsibility has been initiated; whether it has been able to produce the desired results, is among the four research questions that guided the study. To establish a deeper understanding of the role of corporate social responsibility in the business-society relationship, the research adopted the „stakeholder theory‟ as its theoretical framework.Descripitve survey research design by which the samples were to extrapolate the characteristics of the population was adopted. The area of study which consists of the affected communities in two of six area councils in the FCT, and one, neighbouring local government area to Abuja, in Nasarawa State was selected through the use of purposive sampling technique; while random sampling method was used in the distribution of the questionnaire. The questionnaire and oral interview were the two primary sources of data used for the research. A total of 150 copies of a 15 item structured research questionnaire were distributed among the target population in the selected communities for data collection. Other sources of data used in the study included, the company‟s policy statement, annual report, internet materials, and other written documents.Out of the total questionaires administered, the quantity successfully retrieved was used for data analysis. Data was analysed using simple percentage.Findings of the research were in four key areas, such include: poorlevel of awareness about the essence of corporate social responsibility, especially among the not too well educated persons; degree of Julius Berger‟s actual participation in CSR practices has been average; quality of impact/satisfaction level of the company‟s CSR projects on its host communities has been below average; and efforts of government and civil society to improve corporate social responsibility in Nigeria has not been encouraging.Based on the findings made, the study recommends that:there is need for enforceable legislations; an agency or commission that would oversee corporate social responsibility issues be created; citizens and corporate bodies need to be enlightened about the need for CSR; infrastructural facilities be made available; there should be improved security system; corruption and all forms of criminality be eliminated; and many others.

NATURE AND PRACTICE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: A STUDY OF JULIUS BERGER (NIGERIA) PLC IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORRY, ABUJA, (2010-2015)