Contested Notions of Ubuntu as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Theory in Africa: An Exploratory Literature Review

Culture significantly influences corporate social responsibility (CSR) behaviours and business ethics in Africa. In that context, various claims exist about how Ubuntu ethics can also serve as a practicable theory to guide CSR actions. In line with such claims, this study critically interrogated the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainability 2023-04, Vol.15 (7), p.6207
Main Authors: Makwara, Tendai, Dzansi, Dennis Yao, Chipunza, Crispen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Business
Business ethics
Community
Corporate social responsibility
Ethics
Investigations
Literature reviews
Philosophy
Social responsibility
Society
Stakeholders
Sustainability
Sustainable development
Values
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Summary:Culture significantly influences corporate social responsibility (CSR) behaviours and business ethics in Africa. In that context, various claims exist about how Ubuntu ethics can also serve as a practicable theory to guide CSR actions. In line with such claims, this study critically interrogated the practicability of utilising an Ubuntu-based approach to guide CSR actions among African businesses. It drew perspectives from published theoretical and empirical literature focusing on Ubuntu as a CSR construct. In conclusion, based on the analysed views, the article argues that although the Ubuntu philosophy adds valuable insight into how firms and managers in Africa can conduct their CSR activities, its transition from a cultural philosophy to a business ethics theory needs to be revised. This implies that the current aspirations of Ubuntu-based CSR relevant to local contexts may not be realised soon.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su15076207