Title: The role of corporate social responsibility in improving firms' business in the directions of sustainable development, accountability and transparency

Authors: Emerson Abraham Jackson; Hudson Freddie Jackson

Addresses: Centre of West African Studies, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK ' New Atlantic Travel Airlines, 6 Saunders Road, Plumstead, London SE18 1NU, UK

Abstract: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is now a 'buzz' word used by many corporate organisations, and this article has provided a critical review of CSR activities for organisations operating in the natural resource sector in Sierra Leone. There have been some unravelling details in relation to the theoretical background of CSR, with different methodological approaches used to ascertain outcomes. Sierra Leone, a country full of memories relating to poverty, civil unrest and medical emergency can account for good model of CSR operation by some of its trustworthy corporations trading within its country. On this note, the activities of both Sierra Rutile Limited (SRL) and Miro-Forest have exhibited good example (and as well as some critical concerns) of their intent in contributing meaningfully towards sustainable engagement with communities, and backed by substantial investment in their workforce. Suggested recommendations have also expressed the need for corporations to be open in their approach towards building good relationships with communities through their CSR operations, while at the same time ensuring that an agency acting on behalf of the government is in active engagement to make the environment sustainably utilised for the benefit of future generation.

Keywords: corporate social responsibility; CSR; human resource development; sustainability; corporations; accountability; Sierra Leone.

DOI: 10.1504/AJESD.2017.089942

African Journal of Economic and Sustainable Development, 2017 Vol.6 No.2/3, pp.105 - 118

Received: 21 Dec 2015
Accepted: 18 Aug 2016
Published online: 26 Feb 2018 *

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