Management Perception of the Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility on Performance at Kenya Medical Research Institute-centers for Disease Control(Kemri/cdc) Research and Public Health Collaboration

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility is a commitment by organizations to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large. As part of its strategic initiatives KEMRII CDC has continued to engage in CSR activities that include community outreach activities; free medical camps, improving hospital infrastructures, donating bed nets and drugs, free testing and treatment of ailments, environmental conversation activities; tree planting, free water treatment for communities and construction of a treatment plant for communities to get clean water. This study therefore investigated the managers' perception on the influence of CSR on the performance of KEMRIICDC RPHC. In conducting the study, it employed a cross sectional descriptive survey approach collecting primary data using interviews from 18 managers of KEMRI/CDC. The study found that the managers had a positive perception of the influence of CSR on the organizational performance. The managers were of the opinion that adoption of CSR practice such as supporting community projects led to enhanced community relations to a very high extent. The managers also perceived that adoption of CSR practices such as provision of medical care, sick leave, mortgage for the employees led to employee satisfaction to a very great extent. The managers believed that adoption of CSR practices such as donations to homes and hospitals led to improved donor funding to a great extent. The study established that the managers perceived that environmental conservation initiatives of the organization, supporting community projects and setting up of medical camps led to enhanced community relations to a very great extent. The study also found that the managers perceived that adoption of CSR practices such as sponsoring and participating during World Health holidays by KEMRIICDC RPHC leads to improved donor funding to a great extent. The study recommends that there needs to be a more staff and community involvement in CSR planning, more environmental conservation activities and increased funding for CSR activities.