CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES:

EVIDENCE FROM THE MENA REGION

PETYA KOLEVA
RESEARCH STUDENT
PETYA.KOLEVA@BEDS.AC.UK

PROF JILLIAN FARQUHAR

DIRECTOR OF STUDIES

DR GIUSEPPE EMANUELE ADAMO

SECOND SUPERVISOR

Abstract
The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR)
developed in the Western world since the 1950s, is
novel to developing countries(Carroll, 1991).

Carroll A. B., The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility: Toward the

Moral Management of Organisational Stakeholders, Business Horizons, 1991

Various CSR principles, standards, frameworks and

indices have grown significantly as researchers to
expand the concept in business and academic
worlds. The practice of the concept and its behaviour
is similar in both the developed and developing
worlds. However, there are significant differences
between the two worlds in implementing CSR
activities. Researchers have identified these
differencesof culture, management perspectives,
and geographical and natural business systemsand
concluded that existing CSR in the developed world
cannot be employed in developing countries.
Therefore, this study aims to investigate CSR from the
point of view of developing countries in the MENA
region.

Aims and objectives

To examine the CSR
dimensions within the
MENA regions context;
To identify the CSR
needs of companies
operating in the MENA
region;
To develop a
conceptual framework in
accordance with the
MENA regions
specifications that will be
tested empirically;
Methodology
For the purposes of this
research, qualitative and
quantitative approaches
will be applied.

Significance
The present study attempts
to overcome the above
issues by developing a
CSR framework specifically
tailored to the context of
the MENA countries. The
CSR framework is an
essential management
tool valuable for
management decision
making. In addition, the
framework can be used as
a model to continue CSR
research and decision
making for future
researchers. Further, the
process of developing a
CSR framework can be
useful for management as
well as stakeholders to
help them understand the
concept of CSR.

Expected results
Development of a CSR
framework that will
correspond to the needs
of local business.

References:
Carroll A. B., The Pyramid of
Corporate Social
Responsibility: Toward the
Moral Management of
Organisational Stakeholders,
Business Horizons, 1991