Corporate social responsibility pyramid in Ethiopia: A mixed study on approaches and practices

Abstract

This paper examines CSR approaches and practices of local firms in Ethiopia, where the state is still a key player in business life. Moreover, it assesses at which stage Ethiopian CSR is. This mixed-method study includes quantitative analysis through SPSS and qualitative content analysis. A revised CSR practices scale has been conducted on owners/managers and employees of 100 local companies in Ethiopia. Besides, the companies' official websites have been thoroughly reviewed using five variables to understand their CSR approaches and practices better. The findings reveal that Ethiopian companies practice CSR though it is at the stage of fragmented CSR and the priorities differ from the global trend. Most respondent companies generally have excellent legal practices and CSR practices toward employees and customers. However, philanthropy, social sustainability, and management of CSR are remarkably at a mediocre level. Content analysis shows similarity with the results of quantitative study, to the exclusion of philanthropy. Notably, the hierarchy derived from our research varies also with Visser's CSR model.