The practice of corporate social responsibility among foreign multinational corporations in Kenya

Abstract

This study was undertaken to determine the factors influencing foreign multinational corporations with a presence in Kenya to engage in corporate social responsibility together with the CSR activities they are involved in. The study took the form of a survey. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire. It specifically focused on foreign multinational corporations that operate in Kenya. They represent an important sector in the economy of Kenya and have been very visible in the area of corporate social responsibility. The study results on the activities that foreign multinational corporations have been involved in as part of their corporate social responsibility indicated that there was more involvement in environmental issues by the organizations. Other activities/areas that have been fairly exhausted include employee welfare, education, community development, HIV/AIDS, child welfare, and diseases (care and prevention). The activity that is not very popular is water issues with other activities specified by the organizations as earthquake support and wildlife conservation with the least popularity. The findings also revealed that in overall, the total impact of the factors that influence foreign multinational corporations to engage in corporate social responsibility is very high and the factors that influence them to engage in CSR to a very great extent include genuine response to the needs of the underprivileged in the society and changing business environment. Corporate image management, organizations' public awareness, employee attraction and retention, and as a marketing strategy hav,e been indicated as influencing the organizations involvement in CSR practice to a great extent. Government laws and regulations influenced the MNCs involvement to a little extent.