Determinants of corporate social responsibility discourses in Kuwait: Uncovering institutional factors through a corporate communications perspective
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Objectives: In an attempt to enrich and de-Westernize the CSR literature in Kuwait and uncover the external factors that are related to corporate social responsibility [CSR], this research investigates the institutional factors influencing CSR in Islamic and conventional banks and telecommunications companies in Kuwait. Method: Utilizing institutional theory and in-depth interviews with 12 corporate communications practitioners, the study found varying albeit minimal contributions of institutional factors to the CSR practices of organizations. Results: Islam did not exert a direct influence on CSR in Kuwait, a majority Muslim country, but was found to be a framework within which organizations operate. Industry sectors, peer pressure, the media, NGOs, and the local community along with social media were also insignificant institutional factors. The environment was the only institutional factor that was found to exert influence on CSR, but its impact was marginal. Increasing levels of global environmental awareness, rather than country-specific factors, made Kuwaiti corporations pay attention to the environment. Conclusion: The implications of the findings suggest the need for government intervention to encourage the private sector to align its CSR practices with the country’s priorities. Corporate communicators need to strategically manage CSR where research and planning are conducted, and stakeholders such as local communities, NGOs, and company employees are involved.
Authors: Manaf M. Bashir, Aroub A. AlRifai
Institution: Kuwait University
Language: English
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4400548611