Convened by Ulrike Schuerkens and Seydi Ababacar Dieng, Université Rennes 2

The issue of corporate social responsibility is a recurring theme in the discourse on relations between businesses and society in African societies. The idea of CSR presupposes that businesses have obligations towards society that include contributing to the resolution of ‘difficult’ social and ecological problems.

Two major questions emerge: The role of socio-economic and socio-cultural factors as drivers of CSR means that if CSR is to be meaningful in Africa, it must commit to socio-economic development objectives. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence. A first step involves empirical studies based on how local populations experience CSR, how socio-cultural factors shape local people's expectations and perceptions of CSR, and a comparative analysis of different CSR processes and outcomes in Africa.

Second, available data suggest that companies are currently more of a tool than an agent of development. It is therefore necessary for the analysis of the link between CSR and socio-economic development in Africa to go beyond the commercial perspective and begin to explore the factors that motivate and limit CSR initiatives and their ability to contribute to development. For example, how do historical, contextual and institutional factors drive and limit CSR initiatives, and what are the implications for corporate social development in Africa? 

Empirical case studies that attempt to answer the questions raised here are welcome.