Integrating corporate social responsibility into efforts to realize millennium development goals: Lessons from Uganda
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
World Journal of Entrepreneurship
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to present corporate social responsibility (CSR) as an
alternative roadmap to accelerating realization of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Uganda,
even after 2015.
Design/methodology/approach – Using a mixed research methodology, this research documented
CSR activities of 16 companies operating in Uganda. Data collection was guided by quantitative
and qualitative methodologies (semi-structured interviews with CSR managers, plus non-participant
observation of CSR activities and projects linked with MDGs). Triangulation was used to ensure
credibility and validity of the results. For data analysis, the authors followed a three-stepwise
process, which helped to develop a framework within which the collected data could be analyzed.
For generalization of the findings, the authors were guided by the “adaptive theory approach”.
Findings – Uganda will not realize any MDGs by 2015. However, CSR activities have the potential
to contribute to a cross-section of various MDGs that are more important and relevant to Uganda
when supported by the government. If this happens, realization of the MDGs is likely to be
stepped up. CSR’s potential contributions to the MDGs were found to be hindered by corruption
and cost of doing business. Lastly, MDG 8 and MDG 3 were perceived to be too ambiguous
to be integrated into company CSR interventions, and to a certain extent were perceived to be carrying political intentions which conflict with the primary business intentions of profit
maximization.
Practical implications – Governments in developing countries that are still grappling with the
MDGs can use this research when devising collaborations with private-sector companies.
These documented CSR activities that contribute directly to specific MDGs can be factored into the
priority public-private partnership arrangements. Private companies can also use these findings to
frame their stakeholder engagement, especially with the government and also when setting CSR
priorities that significantly contribute to sustainable development.
Originality value – This research advances the “Post-2015 MDG Development Agenda” suggested
during the United Nations MDG Summit in 2010, which called for academic and innovative
contributions on how MDGs can be realized even after 2015.
Description
Keywords
Sustainable development, Business, Ethics, Values, Social responsibility
Citation
David Katamba Cedric Marvin Nkiko Charles Tushabomwe-Kazooba Sulayiman Babiiha Mpisi Imelda Kemeza Christopher M.J. Wickert , (2014),"Integrating corporate social responsibility into efforts to realize millennium development goals ", World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 10 Iss 4 pp. 314 - 333. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-09-2013-0051