Evaluating Corporate Social Responsibility using Corporate Social Performance: A case of the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is generally viewed as corporations moving beyond their primary commitment to their shareholders to contribute towards a better society. However, the extent to which the desired positive impact is felt by beneficiaries differ in relation to their needs. This study identifies corporate social performance theory as being relevant in evaluation the CSR programmes and activities of the multinational oil companies in the Niger delta region of Nigeria. The study assesses the level of commitment of the oil companies to the needs of their host communities through CSR, and how morally acceptable their CSR policies have been to the local communities. This is an exploratory research which obtained data mainly from primary sources. Using twenty-eight semi structured interviews obtained from three host communities in the Niger delta region, Nigeria. Finding suggest that the oil multinational in this region have engaged in various form of CSR programmes and activities. However, the success of any CSR initiative is positively related to an interpretation of the motives behind such gesture by beneficiaries and not merely financial contributions.

Communities’ Perception and Expectations of CSR: Implication for Corporate-Community Relations

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has over time been a subject of cumulative interest among academics and business practitioners. This paper contributes to the discourse on CSR in the context of the Nigerian oil industry with regard to corporate-community relations. It specifically constitutes an assessment of CSR initiatives by multinational corporations (MNC) operating in the Niger Delta region and their impact on the traditional livelihoods of local communities. This study examines community perceptions, expectations and seeks to interpret the relationship between the host communities and the MNCs. This paper adopts a qualitative methodological approach, it provides empirical data through the use of twenty-eight semi-structured interviews and three focus groups. This is significant given that most of the research conducted into CSR in this region have been limited to descriptive and extensive theoretical explanations. Findings from the research suggest that the relationship between the host communities and the MNCs is a very complex one. The host communities perceive the MNCs as being unfair, insensitive to the plights, neglecting their responsibilities towards them and not meeting their expectations. It therefore concludes that the negative impacts of oil extractive activities on the local communities have triggered conflict and constant dissatisfaction with the MNC. Their expectation is that of mutual positive benefit. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Niger Delta, Multinational corporation, host communities DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-18-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

Corporate Social Responsibility and Social License to Operate; Exploring activities of oil Multinationals in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and strategies in most extractive industries are adopted due to the need to obtain the social license to operate (SLO). As an emergent concept in developing countries, CSR is yet to attain its full potentials due to the constant denial of community rights to ownership of natural resources discovered on their land. This has led to conflict of interest and often unhealthy relationships between extractive companies and their host communities. Using empirical qualitative data obtained through semi-structured interviews from three host communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, the paper explores the environmental concerns of the activities of oil multinationals vis-à-vis the difficulties in obtaining SLO. The evidence suggests that MNCs may continue to face inability to secure a social license to operate and other related challenges despite huge investment in CSR if they fail to adapt international principles obtainable in developed countries regarding oil spills and gas flaring in their operations.

ANGEL INVESTING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

Many young people are becoming more innovative and have creative business ideas. Unfortunately, for new ventures, securing funding is often hard because of inadequate information between entrepreneurs and capital suppliers and partly because these entrepreneurs may have little business experience. As a result, different working relationships and contractual measures are used to deal with agency problems and to help the venture realize its potentials for value creation. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent to which new ventures have access to angel investors and to ascertain how angel investing can enhance the performance of new ventures in Nigeria. The studies used judgemental and convenience sampling techniques in selecting fifty (50) business owners in Calabar metropolis. Primary data were obtained with the aid of questionnaire. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree was developed. The study surveyed only the owners or managers of the selected firms. The analysis revealed that most entrepreneurs are not familiar with angel investing. Most of the entrepreneurs were not knowledgeable on the role of angel investors neither do they personally know some angel investors. The findings of the research suggest that most of the entrepreneurs in Cross River State are novice on the concept of Angel Investing. Based on the findings, it was recommended amongst others that more enlightenment should be created on angel investing for emerging entrepreneur