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Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to explore firm-community level trust in rural Africa through the lens of oil companies' corporate social responsibilities (CSR). Design/methodology/approach: This paper is grounded on a case study of local communities and other stakeholders in a Nigerian community exploring the underlying triggers of distrust and trust between oil companies and rural communities through the lens of CSR. Findings: This exploratory study found the presence of high-level firm-community expectation differentials, pointing to considerable mistrust between local communities and oil companies' CSR initiatives. Practical implications: The local communities tend to feel oil companies attempt to secure social licence to operate by engaging in CSR initiatives but not to genuinely improve their welfare. There is, therefore, a superficial effort or incentive for oil companies to engage in CSR initiatives in rural Africa. Originality/value: The paper highlights the notion that building a community-driven CSR requires a partnership in which local communities share legitimacy with government agencies and oil companies in influencing CSR initiatives. This represents the most effective way of enhancing firm-community level trust and social legitimacy in rural Africa.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Meribe, NC and Ayentimi, DT and Oke, BR and Adonteng-Kissi, O
Keywords:	social responsibility, stakeholder analysis, corporate social responsibility, trust, oil companies, rural Africa, community level
Journal or Publication Title:	Society and Business Review
Publisher:	Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN:	1746-5680
DOI / ID Number:	10.1108/SBR-04-2020-0059
Copyright Information:	© Emerald Publishing Limited
Related URLs:	Google Scholar: Ayentimi, DT
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

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