Applying Internationalisation to Corporate Social Responsibility: A case study of Oil Companies in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Jallo, Fatima

Abstract

Background: Internationalisation is a strategy adopted by organisations in global expansion which involves moving an organisation’s operations, structure, and resources into an international market. With multinational oil corporations (MNOCs) operating in different regions with diverse institutional frameworks, the criteria they adopt in developing and implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices outside their country of origin has received little scholarly attention especially within developing countries. Even though there are internationally agreed frameworks and principles that guide the development and execution of CSR by MNOCs, the applicability and transferability of these guiding principles and frameworks globally remains questionable. There is a need to identify the CSR template adopted by MNOCs across subsidiaries especially as every host country has its unique set of regulations, institutions and cultures guiding their operations and with different levels of economic development.
Aim: The aim of this research is to explore how multinational oil companies (MNOCs) develop and implement their CSR practices in the Niger Delta Region (NDR), understanding the motivations behind these efforts, how they are tailored to meet the unique needs of local communities, and the impact they have on the lives of these communities, while also considering the influence of their parent companies’.
Methods: For this study, a case study design was adopted using a qualitative method approach through primary data acquired by interviews with CSR managers within the Nigerian oil and gas industry. The data was analysed thematically using Nvivo software. The study identified resource constraints, lack of government support, and lack of enabling environment amongst others that affect CSR implementation within the NDR. Likewise, global best practices, parent company influence, lack of clearly defined Nigerian standard of CSR, and customisation of CSR practices for local adoption impact the internationalisation of CSR within the region. Based on the above, this research is expected to contribute to knowledge within the developing country context in relation to the host community. Furthermore, the study will try and analyse the internationalisation of CSR within the Nigerian context by bringing together insight from institutional theory and internationalisation theory.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 8, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 27, 2024
• Award Date: Sep 26, 2024