Intercity Bus Performance and Corporate Social Responsibility among Operators in South-south, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue V, May 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Intercity Bus Performance and Corporate Social Responsibility among Operators in South-south, Nigeria

Borlo, P.B.L.^1*, Ibe, C.C^1,2 and Emenike G.C.^1,3
1Centre for Logistics and Transport Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
²Department of Transport Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria
³Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author

Abstract
This study examined the relationship between the Intercity Bus Performance and Corporate Social Responsibility of operators in the capital cities of South-South, Nigeria. The operation/management activities of Intercity Bus Service are carried out in a place owned and/or inhabited by people. These activities most times adversely affect the people and the place(s). The host communities expect some compensation for the consequent hazards or ill experiences they and their environment suffer. This is the community perspective of performance, which unfortunately are often overlooked when business concerns are assessed in developing countries, like Nigeria. A potent strategy by which the community perspective can be effectual or realised is the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility. In our study of 94 Operators, selected based on experience and functional Bus fleet, oral interview and observation formed the Primary data sources; while published-scholarly works and unpublished operational records at the operators’ head offices and outstations were the main sources of Secondary data. Analysis of data gathered were done descriptively. It was found that, although there was evidence of the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility projects; the host communities through their leadership, felt that the CSR projects were inadequate, less impactful, unsustainable and unsatisfactory. Conclusively, it was noted that, undermining the community perspective of performance could be tantamount to insensitivity, injustice, cruelty and unfairness to the dignity and welfare of the citizens; the growth and health of the environment of the host communities. Therefore, it was recommended that CSR implementation be more defined and made enforceable by law, amongst other things.

Keywords: Bus, Intercity service, Community perspective, Corporate social responsibility, Operators.

Introduction
Intercity Bus Service like other businesses is aimed at achieving some goals-including service delivery, profit making and contribution to the welfare, growth and development of society or host community.In fact, these are expectations of the key stakeholders of any business: the Owners/managers or operators expect profit making through patronage/repeat patronage and consequently, revenue generation; the customers/travellers or commuters expect satisfaction through quality service delivery; while Government/public

Read More