CSR From Ethiopian Perspective

Abstract

The goal of this thesis is to investigate and analyze the concept of CSR from Ethiopian perspective to form a baseline for further research. The goal is also to examine how companies and organizations in Ethiopia view their role and part in reaching sustainable growth and development, and to find out what the learning experiences are. The data for the study has been collected through a field study, including personal interviews and dialogues with a number of companies and organizations. The analysis of the effectiveness of international companies', national Companies' and organizations', CSR strategies in the Ethiopia context and its potential contribution to development is based upon a qualitative study through interviews with employers of companies and organizations in Ethiopia. The interviews were conducted through a field study. The geographical concentrations of the interviews were set to Addis Ababa, Adama (Nazareth), and Modjo, with some interviews performed with companies in neighboring cities. These specific locations were selected due to their high representation of potential interviewees in terms of relevant corporations. Generally, the findings of field study show that CSR as idea is new in Ethiopia and started off as a retort by multinationals and NGOs to remedy the effects of their extraction activities on the local communities. Consequently, the result can be viewed as two-fold. Firstly, there is the recent development of formal CSR practices mainly driven by MNCs and NGOs. These initiatives are mainly philanthropic with practices and understanding to a large extent ―imported‖ from the Western countries. Secondly almost all of national companies and government organizations have not developed a concept CSR. However, some of Ethiopian companies have a tradition of partnership and dialogue with their communities and stakeholders in the form informal CSR practices ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Several people have contributed to this thesis in various ways first of all, I would like to give special thankfulness to e8 Scholarship and University of Twente Scholarship, who generously shared your knowledge and insight into corporate responsibility with me. This thesis could not have been accomplished without your assistance. Also a special thankfulness to Dr. Yoram Krozer and Dr. Laura Franco, who have not only supervised and supported my work, but who has also shown a deep and sincere insight and interest in the CSR topic. My special thanks also goes too Dr. Sharon Tokich and Rinske Koster. gave me the opportunity to study, opened my eyes to a new world and who made this journey of explorations possible. Next my sincerest gratitude goes to those of you who gave me your time during the interviews in Ethiopia and so ————————————————————