Corporate Social Responsibility Programme and Development of Host Communities in Enugu State, Nigeria

In quest for maximum profit, some business organisations neglect the idea of giving back to their host communities (the very foundation upon which their business runs) through Corporate Social Responsibility programmes. Consequently, such private organisations are being confronted with growing criticisms from their host communities for not recognising them as stakeholders in the business, and for neglecting the negative impacts of their business activities on them. Therefore, the broad objectives of this study are: to determine the relationship between private organisations’ sponsorship of free public enlightenment campaign programme on how best to keep the environment healthy and the level of public enlightenment on environmental issues in Enugu State, Nigeria; and to assess the relationship between private organisations’ free waste management programme and the presence of healthy environment in Enugu State, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted for the study and Cochran (1963) formula was used in determining the sample size. A total of 475 respondents drawn from the State participated in the study. In testing the research hypotheses formulated in line with the specific objectives, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient statistical tool was applied. The findings indicate the following: first, that there is insignificant correlation between private organisations’ sponsorship of free public enlightenment campaign programme on how best to keep the environment healthy and the level of public enlightenment on environmental issues in Enugu State, Nigeria (r = .167, n = 475, p = .073 ˃ 0.05); second, that that there is a weak correlation between private organisations’ free waste management programme and the presence of healthy environment in Enugu State, Nigeria (r = .115, n = 475, p = .081 ˃ 0.05). Based on the findings, it is concluded that private organisations operating in Enugu State, Nigeria should be exhibiting commensurate Corporate Social Responsibility activities by implementing developmental programmes that will develop their host communities, and thereby give the inhabitants a sense of belonging.