Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Institutional Roles in Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility in Tanzania

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Corporate Social Responsibility in a Dynamic Global Environment

Part of the book series: CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance ((CSEG))

  • 509 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter investigates the institutional roles played by the government, non-governmental organisations, and community members in the wake of promoting companies to indulge in corporate social responsibility in Tanzania. The case study design approach was employed using data extracted from semi-structured interviews with government officers and managers of non-governmental organisation and community members residing in places where companies operate. Similarly, managers of companies were used to justify the roles played by institutions. The data covered the period between 2018 and mid-2020. The findings suggest that companies are influenced through coercion from institutions, provision of incentives, dialogue, awareness during registration, directives, stakeholder meetings, and requests for their most pressing needs. Furthremore, non-complying companies face some form of punishments to refrain them from avoiding practising corporate social responsibility. There exists a poor feedback mechanism between companies and community members residing in areas close to companies’ operations. The chapter provides recommendation for policy and documents the limitation of the study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Albareda, L., Lozano, J. M., Tencati, A., Midtun, A., & Perrini, F. (2008). The changing role of governments in corporate social responsibility: Drivers and responses. Business Ethics: A European Review, 17(4), 347–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Albareda, L., Lozano, J. M., & Ysa, T. (2007). Public policies on corporate social responsibility: The role of government in Europe. Journal of Business Ethics, 74(4), 391–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amalados, M. X., & Manohar, H. L. (2013). Communicating corporate social responsibility—A case of CSR communication in emerging economies. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 20(2), 65–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ararat, M. (2008). A development perspective for corporate social responsibility: Case of Turkey. Corporate Governance, 8(3), 271–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arenas, D., Lozano, J. M., & Albareda, L. (2009). The role of NGOs in CSR: Mutual perceptions among stakeholders. Journal of Business Ethics, 88(1), 175–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Babiak, K., & Trendafilova, S. (2011). CSR and environmental responsibility: Motives and pressures to adopt green management practices. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 18(1), 11–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartle, I., & Vaas, P. (2007). Self-regulation within the regulatory state; towards a new regulatory paradigm? Public Administration, 85(4), 885–905.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baughn, C. C., Bodie, N. L., & McIntosh, J. C. (2007). Corporate social and environmental responsibility in Asian countries and other geographical regions. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 14(4), 189–205.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bebbington, A. (2004). NGOs and uneven development: Geographies of development intervention. Progress in Human Geography, 28(6), 725–745.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bebbington, A., & Farrington, J. (1993). Governments, NGOs and agricultural development: Perspectives on changing inter-organizational relationships. Journal of Development Studies, 29(2), 199–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beschorner, T., & Muller, M. (2007). Social standards: Towards an active ethical involvement of businesses in developing countries. Journal of Business Ethics, 73(1), 11–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blowfield, M., & Murray, A. (2011). Corporate social responsibility (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brammer, S., Jackson, G., & Matten, D. (2012). Corporate social responsibility and institutional theory: New perspectives on private governance. Socio-Economic Review, 10(1), 3–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J. (2006). Institutional analysis and the paradox of corporate social responsibility. The American Behavioural Scientist, 49(7), 925–938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carini, C., Rocca, L., Veneziani, M., & Teodori, C. (2018). Ex-ante impact assessment of sustainability information–the Directive 2014/95. Sustainability, 10(2), 560–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christmann, P. (2004). Multinational companies and the natural environment: Determinants of global environmental policy standardization. Academy of Management Journal, 47(5), 747–760.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, D. (2012). Business ethics: How to design and manage ethical organizations. John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Demir, A., & Budur, T. (2019). Roles of leadership styles in corporate social responsibility to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). International Journal of Social Sciences & Educational Studies, 5(4), 174–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dentchev, N. A., van Balen, M., & Haezendonck, E. (2015). On voluntarism and the role of governments in CSR: Towards a contingency approach. Business Ethics: A European Review, 24(4), 378–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Detomasi, D. A. (2008). The political roots of corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 82(4), 807–819.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, B., & Pockett, R. (2015). Turning ideas into research: Theory, design and practice. Sage Publications.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Fiaschi, D., Giuliani, E., & Nieri, F. (2017). Overcoming the liability of origin by doing no-harm: Emerging country firms’ social irresponsibility as they go global. Journal of World Business, 52(4), 546–563.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flick, U. (2014). An introduction to qualitative research (5th ed.). Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, T., Ward, H., & Howard, B. (2002). Public sector roles in strengthening corporate social responsibility: a baseline study. World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frumkin, P., & Galaskiewicz, J. (2004). Institutional isomorphism and public sector organizations. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 14(3), 283–307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galaskiewicz, J. (1997). An urban grants economy revisited: Corporate charitable contributions in the twin cities, 1979-81, 1987-89. Administrative Science Quarterly, 42(3), 445–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, D. E. (2009). Doing research in the real world (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood, R., Suddaby, R., & Hinnings, C. R. (2002). Theorising change: The role of professional association in the transformation of institutionalised fields. Academy of Management Journal, 45(1), 58–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griesse, M. A. (2007). The geographical, political, and economic context for corporate social responsibility in Brazil. Journal of Business Ethics, 73(1), 21–37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griseri, P., & Seppala, N. (2010). Business ethics and corporate social responsibility (1st ed.). South-Western Cengage Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guay, T., Doh, J. P., & Sinclair, G. (2004). Non-governmental organizations, shareholder activism, and social responsible investment: Ethical, strategic and governance implications. Journal of Business Ethics, 52(1), 125–139.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guthrie, J., & Parker, L. D. (1989). Corporate social reporting: A rebuttal of legitimacy theory. Accounting and Business Research, 19(76), 343–352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hah, K., & Freeman, S. (2014). Multinational enterprise subsidiaries and their CSR: A conceptual framework of the management of CSR in smaller emerging economies. Journal of Business Ethics, 122(1), 125–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Høvring, C. M., Andersen, S. E., & Nielsen, A. E. (2018). Discursive tensions in CSR multi-stakeholder dialogue: A Foucauldian perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 152(3), 627–645.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Idemudia, U., & Ite, U. E. (2006). Corporate-community relations in Nigeria’s oil and industry: Challenges and imperatives. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 13(4), 194–206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan, H. U. Z., Halabi, A. K., & Samy, M. (2009). Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting: A study of selected banking companies in Bangladesh. Social Responsibility Journal, 5(3), 344–357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan, M., Lockhart, J., & Bathurst, R. (2021). The institutional analysis of CSR: Learnings from an emerging country. Emerging Markets Review, 46, 100752–100800. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ememar.2020.100752

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, C., Kim, J., Marshall, R., & Afzali, H. (2018). Stakeholder influence, institutional duality, and CSR involvement of MNC subsidiaries. Journal of Business Research, 91, 40–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koku, J. E., & Gustafsson, J. E. (2003). Local institutions and natural resources management in the South Tongu district of Ghana: A case study. Sustainable Development, 11(1), 17–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumi, E., Yeboah, T., & Kumi, Y. A. (2020). Private sector participation in advancing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Ghana: Experiences from the mining and telecommunications sectors. The Extractive Industries and Society, 7(1), 181–190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H., & Miao, Z. (2020). Corporate social responsibility and collaborative innovation: The role of government support. Journal of Cleaner Production, 260(12), 1028.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao, P. C., Xia, N. N., Wu, C. L., Zhang, X. L., & Yeh, J. L. (2017). Communicating the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of international contractors: Content analysis of CSR reporting. Journal of Cleaner Production, 156, 327–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, X., McKenna, B., Ho, C. M., & Shen, G. Q. (2019). Stakeholders’ influence strategies on social responsibility implementation in construction projects. Journal of Cleaner Production, 235, 348–358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Long, W., Li, S., Wu, H., & Song, X. (2020). Corporate social responsibility and financial performance: The roles of government intervention and market competition. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(2), 525–541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Magness, V. (2006). Strategic posture, financial performance and environmental disclosure: An empirical test of legitimacy theory. Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, 19(4), 540–563.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmood, M., & Humphrey, J. (2013). Stakeholders expectations of CSR practices: A study of local and multinational corporations in Kazakhstan. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 20(3), 168–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maria, S. J. F. J., & Devuyst, E. (2011). CSR and development: A mining company of Africa. Journal of Management Development, 30(10), 955–967.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matten, D., & Moon, J. (2008). Implicit and explicit CSR: A conceptual framework for a comparative understanding of corporate social responsibility. The Academy of Management Review, 33(2), 404–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melubo, K., Lovelock, B., & Filep, S. (2019). Motivations and barriers for corporate social responsibility engagement: Evidence from the Tanzanian tourism industry. Tourism and Hospitality Research, 19(3), 284–295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merchant, K. A., & Van de Stede, W. A. (2006). Field-based research in accounting: Accomplishments and prospects. Behavioural Research in Accounting, 18(1), 117–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michael, B. (2003). Corporate social responsibility in international development: An overview and critique. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 10(3), 115–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moffat, K., Lacey, J., Zhang, A., & Leipold, S. (2016). The social licence to operate: A critical review. Forestry: An International Journal of Forest Research, 89(5), 477–488.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mutti, D., Yakovleva, N., Vazquez-Brust, D., & Di Marco, M. H. (2012). Corporate social responsibility in the mining industry: Perspectives from stakeholder groups in Argentina. Resources Policy, 37(2), 212–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nazir, O., & Islam, J. U. (2020). Influence of CSR-specific activities on work engagement and employees’ innovative work behaviour: An empirical investigation. Current Issues in Tourism, 23(24), 3054–3072.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okoye, A. (2012). Explaining the relationship between corporate social responsibility, law and development in an African context: Should government be responsible for ensuring corporate responsibility? International Journal of Law and Management, 54(5), 364–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palazzo, G., & Scherer, A. G. (2006). Corporate legitimacy as deliberation: A communicative framework. Journal of Business Ethics, 66(1), 71–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patriotta, G., Gond, J. P., & Schultz, F. (2011). Maintaining legitimacy: Controversies, orders of worth, and public justifications. Journal of Management Studies, 48(8), 1804–1836.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paulus, T. M., Lester, J. N., & Dempster, P. G. (2014). Digital tools for qualitative research. Sage Publications.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Pfeffer, J., & Salancik, G. (1978). The external control of organisations: A resource dependence perspective. Harper and Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Punch, K. F. (2014). Introduction to social research: Quantitative and qualitative approaches (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Radaelli, C. M. (2000). Policy transfer in the European Union: Institutional isomorphism as a source of legitimacy. Governance, an International Journal of Policy and Administration, 13(1), 25–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saleh, Y. A. B. (2019). Tax treatment methods of corporate monetary and in-kind donations and the extent of their compatibility with the content of the idea of corporate social responsibility: A justified view. Administrative Management, 3(1), 1034–1049.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shauki, E. (2011). Perceptions of corporate social responsibility: A study in capturing public confidence. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 18(3), 200–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simons, H. (2009). Case study research in practice. Sage Publications.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sobhani, F. A., Amran, A., & Zainuddin, Y. (2009). Revisiting the practices of corporate social and environmental disclosure in Bangladesh. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 16(3), 167–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steurer, R. (2010). The role of government in corporate social responsibility: Characterising public policies on CSR in Europe. Retrieved May 2, 2021, from http://ssrn.com/abstract=2342120.

  • Suchman, M. C. (1995). Managing legitimacy: Strategic and institutional approaches. The Academy of Management Review, 20(3), 571–610.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tan, J. (2009). Institutional structures and firm social financial performance in transitional economies: Evidence of multinational corporations in China. Journal of Business Ethics, 82(2), 171–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J., & Davidson, D. K. (2011). The business-government-society relationship: A comparison between China and the US. Journal of Management Development, 30(1), 112–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, S., & Liu, D. (2020). Political connections and corporate social responsibility: Political incentives in China. Business Ethics: A European Review, 29(4), 664–693.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, K. (2010). Making sense of statistical methods in social research. Sage Publications.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, X., & Rivers, C. (2009). Antecedents of CSR practices in MNC’s subsidiaries: A stakeholder and institutional perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 86(2), 155–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yin, R. K. (2012). Applications of case study research (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Accounting and Finance of the Institute of Finance Management (IFM), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Ibrahim Ramadhani Kikwiye

Authors
  1. Ibrahim Ramadhani Kikwiye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lisbon Accounting and Business School, Lisbon, Portugal

    Irene Guia Arraiano

  2. Department of Business Administration and Santander Financial Institute (SANFI), University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain

    Belén Díaz

  3. Department of Economics, Society and Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy

    Mara Del Baldo

  4. BFH, Bern, Switzerland

    René Schmidpeter

  5. Guildhall School of Business and Law, London Metropolitan University, London, UK

    Samuel O. Idowu

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Kikwiye, I.R. (2023). Institutional Roles in Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility in Tanzania. In: Arraiano, I.G., Díaz, B., Del Baldo, M., Schmidpeter, R., Idowu, S.O. (eds) Corporate Social Responsibility in a Dynamic Global Environment. CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24647-0_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation