Local Beneficiary Community Perception of Corporate Social Responsibility Practices of Multinational Corporations in Kenya

Abstract

The study examines the relationship existing between international business‟ CSR practices in Kenya and the subsequent benefits and perception by the local community. This is done through establishing the practices and types of CSR activities employed by the MNCs, the extent to which the local community has benefited from CSR practices and what the local community‟s perception on CSR practices. This study adopts a qualitative approach with a sample size of 25 respondents from 5 MNCs operating in the food and beverage industry in Kenya, who were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The study finds that most of the CSR activities done by the MNCs are in education and literacy enhancement, improving sanitation and access to safe drinking water and tackling environmental conservation and climate change. Moreover, respondents are of the view that CSR activities create more awareness on enhancing community interaction as well as improving the environment through campaigns and behaviour change communication. The study concludes that even though the CSR activities of MNCs have to a given extent benefited the local community, the actual practice of CSR has been incoherent with the theories upon which this study was based on, mostly the stakeholder and integrative theories.