CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF CATERING FIRMS IN KHANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Organizational performance comprises of the actual output or results of an organization as measured against its intended outputs, goals
and objectives. In other words, organizational performance comprises real results or outputs compared with intended outputs. The
analysis focuses on three main outcomes, first, shareholder value performance; second, financial performance; and third, market
performance. It is a broad construct which captures what organizations do, produce, and accomplish for the various constituencies with
which they interact. Performance is seemed to be the fulfillment of an obligation in a manner that released the performer from all liabilities
under the contract. This means that an employee must be properly appraised in terms of their productivity, skills, taken decision and total
commitment to their jobs so as to enable the organization to achieved expected goals (Kuvaas, 2006). One way an organization can perform
is by practicing corporate social responsibility. Corporate social responsibility is a nebulous concept that has been described in a number of
ways; it is widely used in literature of sociology, anthropology, economics, politics and business administration. Most writers on corporate
social responsibility see the concept as the disposition of an organization to exhibit ‘missionary’’ rather than “mercenary’’ attitudes toward
the society. Corporate social responsibility in relation to business is the obligation of a business organization to pursue those lines of action,
which are desirable in terms of objectives, and values of society. (Lawal & Sulaimon, 2007) defined it as ‘’ intelligent and objective concern,
which restrains individual or corporate behavior from ultimately destructive activities, no matter how immediately profitable, and leads
to the direction of the positive contribution to human betterment. Presumably, corporate executives as agents of the owners are to be
responsible for conducting the business in accordance with the desire of the owner while conforming to the basic rules of the society. The
responsibility has three broad facets (Ikpeze, 2001).First, contribution to charity. Second, elimination of social costs. The third facet of
social responsibility is the adoption and observance of ethical codes aimed at reducing business malpractices.
Oil exploratory firms in Nigeria and other types of business must be seen in many actions domains can pursue social responsibility in areas
such as: concern for ecology and environment, commitment to quality, truth in advertisement, customer satisfaction and education. Other
concern include service to community needs, fair employment practices, progressive labour relations, employment assistance and
corporate philanthropy (Ogbeuchi, 2008). This study proxies corporate social responsibility with economic, legal, ethical and discretionary
responsibility while organizational performance was proxied with three outcomes associated with selected catering services in Khana Local
Government Area, Rivers State, namely; profitability, effectiveness and efficiency.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The purpose of this study is to investigate corporate social responsibility and organizational performance. It attempts to determine how an
organization carries out its obligation to the stakeholders which serves as a strategy for carrying out business activities peacefully. Most
times claims made by various stakeholders are too much on the organization, yet they are expected to get actively involved in getting them
solved. In trying to meet up these expectations, most organizations indulge in some unethical acts which most times return on them.
This study attempt to understand which corporate social responsibility elements have the ability to influence the organizational
performance. The study also attempt employees’ perception on their organization’s corporate image affects their behavior as well as how
they promote their organization to the other stakeholders.
Previous researchers sees certain elements of corporate social responsibility (such as organizational ethics) as having impact on employees’
perceived corporate image that can affect their commitment to their organizations as well as organizational performance (Ikpeze, 2001).
From the foregoing, therefore this study seeks to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility and organizational
performance in selected catering services in Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective of the study is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility and organizational performance in
selected catering services in Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State. The following objectives are to be achieved:
i. To examine the relationship between economic responsibility and organizational performance in selected catering services in Khana
Local Government Area, Rivers State.
ii. To examine the relationship between legal responsibility and organizational performance in selected catering services in Khana Local
Government Area, Rivers State.
iii. To examine the relationship between ethical responsibility and organizational performance in selected catering services in Khana
Local Government Area, Rivers State.
1.6 Significance of the Study
One of the main reasons this study is being conducted is because society’s expectation on organizational corporate social responsibility
effort is gaining momentum and fast becoming a standard business practice. Many organizations have started implementing corporate
social responsibility as part of their organization practices as well as to fulfill their legal obligation. However, in order for corporate social
responsibility to be effective and bring to bring value to the organization (such as improving the corporate image and employees
commitment), organization and employees’ need to have a deeper insight to the benefit of investing in corporate social responsibility prior
to embarking on this time consuming, resources demanding and costly project.
This study is also significant because it has been able to unveil the roles of corporate social responsibility and organizational performance in
selected catering services in Khana Local Government Area, Rivers State.
1.7 Scope/Limitation of the study
The study is delimited under the following heading: content scope, geographical scope and unit of analysis.
Content Scope: The content scope of this study involves an investigation to ascertain the relationship between corporate social
responsibility and organizational performance. The independent variable is corporate social responsibility measured by Economic
responsibility, Legal responsibility, and ethical responsibility. While dependent variable is host community relations, measured by
organizational performance, profitability, eectiveness and eiciency.
Geographical Scope: This study is delimited in Khana Local Government with special reference to selected catering services which include
The Promise Fast Food and Beeks Restaurant.
Unit of Analysis: The unit of analysis in this research involves the individuals at the time of carrying out the study.
In carrying out an investigation of this nature the researcher must of necessity be faced with the following constraint; Time, poor response
from respondents and finance.
This study involves an investigation of corporate social responsibility in relation to organizational performance. Hence it is a micro level
study.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF CATERING FIRMS IN KHANA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA
