Jeet Patel Art in Tanzania intern

Corporate Social Responsibility

What is Corporate Social Responsibility? Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) governs a company’s business model, enabling it to operate in a socially responsible manner towards its stakeholders. Organizations can have a significant impact on all aspects of society, including environmental and economic areas.

The International Organisation of Standardisation (ISO) has guided organisations in their CSR efforts, once they have established a secure financial foundation. The ISO developed “ISO 26000” to clarify what social responsibility is for organisations and aid organisations. ISO 26000 revolves around seven core principles and core subjects. These are the guidance points the ISO has for organisations to maximise their efficiency.

Core Principals

  1. Accountability
  2. Transparency
  3. Ethical Behaviour
  4. Respect for stakeholder interest
  5. Respect for the rule of law
  6. Respect for international norms of behaviour
  7. Respect for human rights

Core Subject

  1. Organization Governance
  2. Human Rights
  3. Labour Practices
  4. The Environment
  5. Fair Operating Practices
  6. Consumer Issues
  7. Community Involvement and Development

CSR around the world

CSR in Canada

CSR is becoming a significant concern for organisations. One of the driving forces is the Canadian public organisations organised in the community. The tactics have changed over the years; organisations’ strategic, purpose-driven, and transformational models can be seen in local communities. It has become an essential part of business practices.

CSR in Tanzania

Tanzania has made huge strides in corporate social responsibility. Tanzania enacted the Companies Act in 2002 (an amendment of the Companies Act of 1932) to keep up with global and local pressures of improving CSR. Although this act requires audited financial reports to disclose details of the remuneration of directors and officers, there is no obligation to provide information on employee discrimination, health and safety, tax planning schemes, or pollution and environmental disruption caused by corporate activities. This led to the enactment of the Employment and Labour Relations Act and the Labour Institutions Act in 2004. The government also created the Health and Safety Act in 2003 and the Workers’ Compensation Act in 2008. Tanzania’s primary factors and initiatives influence CSR for many reasons.

Politically, the government has come up with many different ways to promote CSR in the country, for example, the Presidential Award on CSR and Empowerment, launched in 2012, to promote the sustainable development of products, specifically in the extractive industry. The country also had the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 to reduce poverty levels. The government is also monitoring primary education, gender equality, HIV/AIDS, and access to sanitation.

The country is also performing well in terms of other factors and influences related to CSR. Examples would include educating the population in various aspects through social programs in partnership with organisations. Organisations utilise their natural resources and leverage them to their advantage through multiple industries, such as agriculture and tourism, while ensuring a sustainable approach that benefits both the organisation and the community.

President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete speaking at the launching ceremony of the presidential award on the Extractive Industry Corporate Social Responsibility and Empowerment.

International businesses also support local companies and NGOs through joint ventures and partnerships, promoting goods and services while exploring ways to give back to the community. Even though there has been an increase in CSR in the country, there is still a long way to go. Without policies and regulations, there are no organisations in their local communities. Many barriers could harm the further implementation of CSR. Some of these include:

  • Unreliable data on community needs
  • Misunderstanding in communication organisations is often used as a competition tool for business instead of being used to benefit the community.
  • Lack of conscious consumers
  • Lack of recognition of reasonable effort made

These are just a few barriers that can come in Tanzania’s path to having CSR businesses. However, this can be addressed by educating the public and creating policies to show data and meet the ISO’s standard guide on having CSR.

Fernando, J. (2021, July 6). Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/corp-social-responsibility.asp.

ISO 26000 – Social responsibility. ISO. (2020, November 30). https://www.iso.org/iso-26000-social-responsibility.html.

Johnnyspade. (2019, February 21). Corporate Social Responsibility in Canada: Trends, Barriers and Opportunities. Coro Strandberg. https://corostrandberg.com/publication/corporate-social-responsibility-in-canada-trends-barriers-and-opportunities/.

Kenton, W. (2021, May 19). International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/international-organization-for-standardization-iso.asp.

Vertigans, S., Idowu, S. O., & Schmidpeter René. (2018). Corporate Social Responsibility in Sub-Saharan Africa: Sustainable Development in Its Embryonic Form. Springer International Publishing.

Similar Posts