An assessment of the performance of corporate social responsibility projects: a case study of Kenya Commercial Bank

Abstract

This study set out to assess the success or failure of plan implementation of KCB' s CSR projects by investigating the extent to which planned estimates for the various CSR projects are actually attained. It also assessed the qualitative impact of the projects on the ground by analyzing various beneficiaries' views towards the projects. The paper assessed the implementation of 107 CSR projects by calculating an implementation ratio for each program showing actual as a ratio of planned expenditure.

The success or failure of implementation was then looked at in terms of dispersions around unity, as measured by the Standard' Deviation. In addition we undertook a perception's survey by conducting interviews with bank executives and key informants from some selected projects. Results obtained show a clear pattern of project implementation success of KCB CSR projects. All the projects in 2005 and 2007 were successfully implemented as they all fell within the success range.

Three projects in 2008 were considered unsuccessful as they were slightly off target, though not so widely off, with implementation ratios of 2.3, 2.5 and 2.87. A conclusion was eventually drawn that the implementation of the projects is successfully done in KCB.

There is a general positive perception held by both bank employees and project beneficiaries. Both stakeholders feel that the input by KCB has positively led towards the attainment of the individual project goals and this has greatly contributed to the success of the projects as it has meant ownership and participation by both employees and the communities.