Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to examine the perception of individual Ghanaian shareholders on
corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Design/methodology/approach – In consequence of the largely unexplored nature of the issue of
CSR, the authors use a qualitative analysis to offer the painstaking understanding needed about this
issue. Individual Ghanaian shareholders who have absolute control over what companies they desire to
invest were selected as the participants.
Findings – The findings show that individual shareholders believe there is the need for corporate
directors and managers to take into consideration the interests of all corporate stakeholders-workers,
customers, shareholders, suppliers, the local community and the environment- in fashioning out their
CSR policies. It also shows the relevance individual shareholders attach to each of those CSRs within
each corporate stakeholder group. For instance, the individual shareholders think that it is most relevant
for firms to put implementable measures in place to reduce or minimise harm to the environment. Also,
with respect to workers, firms are the first and foremost to ensure a hale and hearty and secured work
environment. Further, with respect to customers, firms have to offer standard or quality products and
services to them. More so, in regards to suppliers, corporate directors and managers have to offer them
reasonable prices for their products. Finally, on the part of the local community, firms have to effectively
assist them.
Practical implications – The practical approach to problems and affairs of individual Ghanaian
shareholders is indicated by how much importance they attach to each corporate responsibility matter,
and also they appreciate that a firm cannot thrive or survive for long if it refuses or totally abandons the
needs of other corporate stakeholder categories. It will thus be of relevance to firms to take executable
steps to deal with the needs of other corporate stakeholder groups brought up by the individual
shareholders. As a matter of fact, the vivid descriptions of each of the matters concerning CSR of the
individual shareholders present an important policy guideline for corporate directors and corporate
managers to establish good-natured relationship between their firms and other corporate stakeholder
groups.
Originality/value – This paper contributes to the knowledge on CSR by establishing that even though
individual shareholders are interested in personal economic benefits, they want their firms to be socially
responsible to meet the interests of other corporate stakeholder group
