DATA PHILANTHROPY IN SOUTH AFRICAN ORGANISATIONS: ATTITUDES, READINESS AND PERCEIVED CONCERNS

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative research study which explores the emergent phenomenon of Data Philanthropy in South African corporate organisations. The main research objective is to investigate the corporate attitudes towards Data Philanthropy in the South African banking, retail and telecommunications industries. In particular, the study examines of the willingness, preparedness and concerns of corporations in respect of using their data and supporting data analytical technologies for social good, their chosen level of engagement in corporate social responsibility. Also investigated was and their willingness to change their current engagement to one that requires more efforts and tools to implement. The study includes a review which exposes gaps in literature that the research analysis and discussion will aim to uncover. The study used an inductive approach using thematic analysis. Four main organising themes are used to analyse the data which was collected through interviews namely Corporate Social Responsibility, Willingness, Preparedness and Concerns. A remarkable diversity in detailed sub-themes was uncovered for each of the main themes.