International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume IX, Issue VII, July 2022 | ISSN 2321–2705
Radhia O. Rajabu
St. Augustine University of Tanzania
Faculty of Social Sciences and Communications
Abstract: The definition of Corporate Social Responsibility is still in debate, and still there is no clear definition of the concept of CSR. Different organizations, institutions, and universities through their Public Relations units have engaged in practicing Corporate Social Responsibilities in the neighboring communities as a way to promote their reputation and image. Different organizations engaging in CSR activities in while they lack mechanisms of collecting feedback to measure the perceptions of the recipients of CSR services. In this regard, the expressions of communities involved in CSR projects are not well documented to highlight the impact of CSR activities conducted. Many studies had been written on corporate social responsibility from business organization perspectives. Much has been discussed on the relationships between the act of CSR and the universities. Although universities have been in existence for centuries as the foundation of education and the development of human sustainability. Stakeholder theory describes that, the community stands as the indirect beneficiary of the organization’s corporate social responsibility practices. Failure of being responsible to this group can cause sabotage, riots. Moreover, suppliers can reject to corporate with the organization. Therefore, a researcher expects to bridge this knowledge gap to society and the University of Dodoma staff and management by giving out the perception of the University of Dodoma neighboring community on the contribution of the Corporate Social Responsibility practice of higher learning institutions by taking health services provided by the University of Dodoma as CSR. The study found that the issue of information to the community is poorly exercised and observed by the health officers. The University of Dodoma used to plan the CSR activities on their own without involving their neighboring communities on what they needed. Communities participate in CSR activities only at the stage of implementation. Also, the university never seeks feedback from the community they serve to know their opinion on the services delivered. This study concludes that improved CSR practice especially ethical and philanthropy CSR practice would improve community satisfaction and institutions will gain a positive perception of the CSR activities they conduct. Also improved CSR practice in legal, ethical, and philanthropically CSR practice would improve the community to stay, belief, and feel like they are part and parcel of the institution.
Key words: Corporate social responsibility, community involvement, CSR and universities, communities’ perceptions.
I.INTRODUCTION
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is something debatable and there is no clear definition of the concept of CSR. For some years, different organizations, institutions, and universities through their Public Relations units have engaged in practicing Corporate Social Responsibilities in the neighboring communities as a way to promote their reputation and image.