Corporate Social Responsibility Practices, Determinants and Challenges; Theoretical and Empirical Lesson for Effective and Successful Engagement

Abstract

In recent times, there has been an increasing interest in understanding the concept of corporate social responsibility in developing countries. However, many of the studies fails to investigate the contextual factors that influence CSR Practices, preferring to rely on theories and hypothesis developed from studies undertaken in the west. Very little is known of the practice of CSR in developing countries. The purpose of this article review is to systematically review scholarly articles on CSR engagement to find out best practice, determinants and challenges. And the result indicates that; firm characteristics, corporate governance characteristics, institutional characteristics, socio economic and socio cultural context are identified as determinants and selectively use western approaches that can be useful or use hybrid approach is keyed out as best practice for effective CSR engagement. However, lack of community participation in CSR activities, non-availability of well-organized NGOs, narrow perception towards CSR initiatives due to early stage of its evolution, non-availability of clear CSR guidelines, lack of consensus on implementing CSR issues, lack of enough attention in terms of societal context in the CSR literature, lack of direct involvement in terms of providing instruction and exerting pressure from the parent companies of the MNCs on the local CSR initiatives which coupled with challenges impeding CSR practices or engagements. Furthermore, it was concluded that establish CSR center in order to foster CSR in the country and promote academic research in this field, encouraging the private sector participation together with NGOs within the frame work of responsible business practice, strengthen and develop CSR institutions in Ethiopia to create more awareness of the potential of CSR and integration of local values with the international standardization are recommended as suggestions to bring better implementation of CSR practice in the country.