The realities about corporate social responsibility activities of mobile telecommunication firms in Ghana.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to throw light on CSR activities of mobile telecommunication companies in Ghana. The major and minor players in the Mobile Telecommunication Industry in Ghana all appear to believe that fulfilling their social responsibility is a way of keeping their customers and stakeholders satisfied and hence have recently embarked on massive investment to this effect. The purpose of this paper is also to suggest ways that these CSR activities can be guided and monitored by policy for the overall betterment of the Ghanaian society. Design/ methodology/approach: The main method used is review of existing literature on CSR activities in Ghana and checking websites of all the players in mobile telephony industry in Ghana . Literature review to derive research conclusions is applied. Findings: The paper identifies CSR activities of all the major players in the Mobile telecommunication companies in Ghana as more of a strategic tool than mere philanthropic activities. Our investigation also revealed that there has been a surge in CSR activities in the telecommunication industry in recent years. However, these activities appear to have been mere strategic and marketing tool for gaining competitive edge rather than purely ethical and philanthropic motives. Originality/value: The paper contributes to a better understanding of how CSR can be embedded into business organizations strategy in Ghana and Africa and suggest some ways of making CSR activities an integral part of Africa‘s development. Application: The paper suggests strategic direction for corporate bodies with regard to ethical operation of businesses as well as policy direction for future government regulations of these bodies.