CSR in natural resources: rhetoric and reality

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to sets out to highlight the role and evolution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Africa's extractive industry. Through the discussion and analysis of the history of CSR in Africa, best and worst practices in the industry, corporate objectives and business ethics, as well as the use of CSR as a tool for corporate citizenship and sustainable development, this paper works to develop a more concise understanding of the role that CSR has come to play in the African extractive industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the discussion and analysis of the history of CSR in Africa, best and worst practices in the industry, corporate objectives and business ethics, as well as the use of CSR as a tool for corporate citizenship and sustainable development, this paper works to develop a more concise understanding of the role that CSR has come to play in the African extractive industry. Policy recommendations are also presented to the public and private sectors on how to mend the gaps and complexities of CSR and move forward with CSR practices in a sustainable manner. The paper draws solely on the use of secondary sources to achieve these results.

Findings

Throughout the research and analysis, this paper argues that while CSR has evolved in the last few years and become more relevant in the extractive industry in Africa, there is still much work to be achieved, especially in the areas of capacity building, both physically and structurally. Policy development and implementation as well as greater accountability of, and cooperation between, governments and corporations is necessary to achieve long‐term sustainability.

Originality/value

Policy development and implementation as well as greater accountability of, and cooperation between, governments and corporations is necessary to achieve long‐term sustainability. Such recommendations are of imminent importance for the continent's economic development, given the resource boom currently taking place across Africa.

Citation

Esau, G. and Malone, M. (2013), "CSR in natural resources: rhetoric and reality", Journal of Global Responsibility, Vol. 4 No. 2, pp. 168-187. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGR-03-2013-0005