Sara Refaat

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has gained momentum in Egypt throughout the past decade, yet very little empirical research was conducted on CSR practice in Egypt. This study provides an in-depth understanding of why and how is CSR practiced in Egypt, the challenges faced, and how CSR practice can improve in general. The study presents a series of contextualized and tailor made recommendations for using CSR as an agent of good development. To serve the purpose of this study a series of qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with thirteen members of the CSR community in Egypt. Data collected from interviews exposed a different reality of CSR practice than the one offered by literature. There is a substantive gap between Western CSR theory and practice, and what is actually happening on the ground in Egypt. For instance, members of the CSR community believe that the philanthropic side of CSR was practiced in Egypt centuries ago by both individuals and businessmen mainly for religious purposes. CSR in Egypt is perceived as a long-standing charitable, informal, paternalistic, voluntary practice, associated with religious beliefs. On the other hand, the modern, secular, and corporate concept of CSR emerged in Egypt in the early 2000, thanks to Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) who introduced the concept in Egypt. Interviews also revealed several flaws in the current practice such as CSR being used primarily as a Public Relations (PR) and marketing tool, the lack of a CSR partnership model, and the lack of a CSR vision. The study ends with a series of recommendations. Recommendations suggested by interviewees include greater cooperation between different stakeholders, more research on CSR practice, and finally, investing less in charitable activities, and more in development programs. Recommendations suggested by the researcher include the establishment of a CSR National Council with the mandate of creating a CSR framework and lobbying for CSR policies in Egypt.

Department

Public Policy & Administration Department

Degree Name

MA in Public Administration

Graduation Date

6-1-2014

Submission Date

May 2014

First Advisor

Barsoum, Ghada

Committee Member 1

Bhuiyan, Shahjahan

Committee Member 2

Abdelhalim, Khaled

Extent

80 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Library of Congress Subject Heading 1

Business ethics -- Egypt.

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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