Corporate Social Responsibility as Strategy for Environmental Preservation and Control of Youth Restiveness: The Experience from South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility, a concept that has been around for well over 50 years has become prominent again recently. It is discussed in the context of organizations been socially responsible for the environment in which they operate. The strategy of impacting on these communities is referred to as corporate social responsibility. The study was designed to assess the strategies adopted by selected organizations in the Food and Beverage Industry in South-West Nigeria to preserve the environment in which they operate and control youth restiveness.

Survey research design was adopted. The population consisted of communities in Lagos, Ogun and Osun States, namely: Ikeja, Apapa, Otta, Imagbon and Ilesa. A sample size of 600 (six hundred) respondents was drawn from the communities through the accidental and purposive sampling methods. The questionnaires were validated and their reliabilities confirmed through the analysis which resulted in Cronbach Alpha value of 0.957. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple regression.

Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between corporate social responsibility, environmental preservation and the control of youth restiveness in the communities studied

The study concluded that where firms get involved in corporate social responsibility, tendency is that communities will benefit immensely, it will lead to the enhancement of lives and general welfare of individuals, groups and society at large. It will equally assist in poverty alleviation. The study recommended that corporate social responsibility policies and practices should be more regulated and the need for the development of a legal framework for corporate social responsibility in Nigeria