Creating Shared Value: A Paradigm Shift from Corporate Social Responsibility to Creating Shared Value

Businesses operating in the modern business world are faced with varying challenges; amongst which is the need to ensure that they are performing their societal function of being responsible in the society in which they operate. This responsibility to society is generally termed as corporate social responsibility. For many years, the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) was solely philanthropic, where organizations gave ‘charity’ or ‘alms’ to society, without any link to the organization’s mission and objectives. However, there has arisen a shift in the application of CSR from an act of philanthropy to a strategy with a business model engaged in by organizations to create a win-win situation of performing their societal obligation, whilst simultaneously performing their economic obligation. In more recent times, the term has moved from CSR to creating shared value, which is simply corporate policies and practices that enhance the competitiveness of a business organization while simultaneously advancing social and economic conditions in the communities in which the company operates. Creating shared value has in more recent light found more meaning in underdeveloped countries, faced with deep societal challenges that businesses can solve whilst creating economic value. This study thus reviews literature on CSR, conceptualizing the shift to creating shared value and finally viewing its potential significance in Africa’s development

Young Single Widow, Dynamics of In-Laws Interference and Coping Mechanisms: Simplicity–Parsimony Approach

The incidence of short marital duration due to the demise of a husband that often exposes young widows to in-laws’ exploitation of the asset of the deceased spouses, without regard for negative health consequences and potential vulnerability to poverty has not been exhaustively investigated, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where 16% of adult women are widows. The study examined the coping mechanisms among the young widow (aged � 40) who have experienced short conjugal relationships (�5 years) and burdensome from in-laws. The research design followed a qualitative approach with the aid of semi-structured in-depth interviews among 13 young widows selected through snowballing and informant-led approaches in the purposively selected communities. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and a thematic approach. The findings, among others, shows the median age of young widow as 29 years. All participants, except one, have faced exploitation from their in-laws over their husbands’ assets. All the participants desired to re-marry in order to: have a father figure for their children, have their own children or have more children. There is an absence of government support, but a few have received support from religious organisations. The author proposed attitudinal-change campaigns targeting the in-laws through accessible media and legislature that could challenge the exploitation of widows and unhealthy widowhood rites

GREEN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES’ PRO-ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR OF FIVE STAR HOTELS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

The effect of human behaviour on environmental sustainability has far reaching implications for a broad spectrum of interested stakeholders. This perspective is taking into consideration the global consensus on the essence of resource conservation and thus reaffirming the overarching significance of instituting a culture of sustainable resource utilization across contexts. Hence, this study, therefore, examined the influence of green human resource management on employees’ pro-environmental behaviour of five-star hotels in Lagos State, Nigeria. A mixed method of data collection was employed. A total of 623 copies of questionnaire were administered to respondents out of which 553 returned and valid copies were analyzed using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). Ten managers and supervisors of the studied hotels were also selected for in-depth interviews. The findings revealed a significant influence of green recruitment on the employees’ pro-environmental behaviour at R=0.803, R2 = 0.645, t =21.511 and p <0.05). The result also suggested that ease of online applications, environmentally friendly policies and hiring environmentally friendly candidates best predict employees’ pro-environmental behaviours. Green training was found to be significantly influenced by employees’ pro-environmental behaviour at R=0.548, R2 =0.301, f (5,546) = 52.179 and p <0.05. The result also indicated mitigation for environmental preservation, modalities for utilizing green technology and energy conservation are the constructs that best predict employees’ pro-environmental behaviours. The green compensation was found to significantly influence employees’ pro-environmental behaviour of selected hotels at R=0.861, R2 =0.741, t = 16.837 and p <0.05. The result suggested that green travel benefits, incentives on environmental management and recognition-based rewards have the highest values among the constructs that best predict employees’ pro-environmental behaviours while commission-based reward and bonus points had the least values. The green performance appraisal was found to significantly influence employees’ pro-environmental behaviour of selected hotels at R=0.839, R2 =0.704, t = 26.277 and p<0.05. The result also indicated that environmental compliance, resources saving, efficient use of resources have the highest beta values that best predict employees’ pro- environmental behaviours. Based on the study, green empowerment was found to significantly influence employees’ pro-environmental behaviour of selected hotels at R=0.765, R2 =0.585, t = 18.938 and p <0.05. The outcomes of the quantitative and qualitative approach of the study concluded that HR has a significant opportunity to contribute to the green initiatives in motivating employees (green compensation) to partake in reducing greenhouse gases through activities as little as turning off lights not in use. Furthermore, this study recommended that managers of the hotels should compensate employees and develop competencies to promote eco-helping behaviour and eco-initiatives

ONLINE MARKETING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL GROWTH IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS: A STUDY OF HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN OGUN STATE

The study aims at determining how higher institutions make use of online marketing techniques to promote growth. The growth and spread of internet with an extraordinary pace over the last few decades has resulted in its increased use for online marketing purpose. Internet as a marketing tool provides significant opportunities for companies to seek and adopt innovative practices in order to address the increasing demands of consumers. This study focused on online marketing and entrepreneurial growth of selected private higher institutions in Ogun state, Nigeria. The study objectives were to determine the role of social media marketing in enhancing higher institutions productivity, to investigate the relationship that exist between online affiliate marketing and higher institutions profitability, to ascertain the relationship that exist between mobile marketing and higher institutions expansion and to examine the influence of electronic payment on customer’s satisfaction. The research was a descriptive survey and used a sample size of 253 respondents and only 237 were retrieved. The study heavily relied on primary data which was collected through administering structured questionnaires. The process of data analysis involved several stages; the completed questionnaires were edited for completeness and consistency, check for errors and omissions and then coded. The collected data was analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation as well as Pearson’s correlation test and regression analysis. The study results indicated that social media marketing, online affiliate marketing, mobile marketing and electronic payment has a significant effect on the growth of higher institutions. The study findings indicated that low IT skills and knowledge has neglected its application by businesses, followed by lack of suitable infrastructure in the country. The findings led to the conclusion that social media marketing, online affiliate marketing, mobile marketing and electronic payment are important to improve higher institutions productivity, profitability, expansion and customer’s satisfaction. The study recommended that higher institutions agencies should engage in carrying out training programs on the available online marketing techniques, communicating its benefits and opportunities to businesses. The study also recommended that strategies on how to minimize the challenges relating to online marketing should be followed so that higher institutions can embrace the use of modern technology

Stakeholder Engagement Practices and Corporate Reputation of Telecommunication Firms in Nigeria

Corporate reputation is a subject of concern both in the academic and business environment. These concerns about corporate reputation by stakeholders in both the internal and external environment has posed a challenge for organizations. These concerns range from managing corporate reputation to also effectively and efficiently engaging stakeholders through practices that aid in enhancing corporate reputation. This is because stakeholders are crucial to the way an organization is being perceived both internally and externally. The aim of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for comprehending the impact of stakeholder engagement practices on corporate reputation of telecommunication firms using stakeholder theory. Also, it suggests a direction for all stakeholders of the telecommunications industry