The dynamics affecting success of Kengen's Corporate social responsibility programme
Abstract
This study sought to establish the dynamics inhibiting the attainment of a sustainable
harmonious relationship between KenGen and the communities that reside within its areas of
operations. The study focused on how effectively the Corporate Social Responsilbility 'CSR
programme is executed and whether the programme's content is aligned to the social, cultural
and economic aspirations of the host communities. The rider of this general objective is: Why has
the CSRprogramme not changed the attitude and behaviour of local communities towards
KenGen's operations?
Specifically, the study tried to determine whether CSR programmes are recognized by the host
communities for them to identify with their ownership, and whether CSR activities demonstrate
the company's commitment to communicate with the communities effectively. Also it was
necessary to determine whether KenGen CSR activities address the needs, expectations, and
aspirations of the host communities and if KenGen CSR programme content is in line with the
social, cultural, and economic orientation of the local communities.
The findings would assist KenGen as a company to know whether there is a gap between
expected CSR performance outcome and the target performance. This is crucial because it
shapes the direction in which the company should adopt in line with its new growth strategy
engineered under the concept of G2G (from Good to Great).
Being critical to public and private business organizations that are still trying to define the
corporate social responsibility programmes and activities, the study aims at providing the best
practice approach in formality, implementing and sustaining CSR programme, in addition to the
body of corporate citizenship and its obligations. Public relations and communication scholars
will have an additional and academic platform to execute further research by making reference to
the results of this study.
The study establishes one major dynamic inhibiting the attainment of a sustainable harmonious
relationship between KenGen and the communities that reside within its areas of operations. This
is the ineffective mode of communication employed by KenGen.This particularly focuses on
how effectively the CSR programme is executed and whether the programme content is aligned
to the social, cultural and economic aspirations of the host communities. According to the study
findings, majority of the respondents are aware of the CSR activities, but shockingly majority do
not know about the programmes themselves,and that CSR programmes have not changed the
attitude and behaviour of the local communities towards KenGen's operations.
The CSR programmes are not recognized by the host communities for them to identify with
KenGen and therefore ownership.
Citation
Masters of Arts Degree in Communication StudiesPublisher
University of Nairobi Department of Arts in Communication Studies
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Master of Arts Degree in Communication Studies of the University of Nairobi