While there has been a growing body of research focused on CSR practices in developing economies, few studies have examined the factors shaping the CSR agenda in these countries. Using qualitative data obtained through semi-structured interviews with management and stakeholders, this paper examines the drivers of the CSR agenda pursued by Paladin (Africa), a subsidiary of an Australian multinational mining company (MNC) operating in the mining industry in Malawi. The findings suggest that the CSR agenda in the mining industry in Malawi is strongly influenced by the externally generated pressures (drivers) such as civil society organisation activism and community expectations, although it is clear that other drivers such as public and private regulations and pressure from financial markets play a more supportive role in pressurising Paladin to adopt the CSR agenda.

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Using a case study of the tea producer Eastern Produce Malawi, this research investigates which factors which influence companies upstream in the global supply chains to adopt a corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda. Although external pressures, such as demands from Western consumers or international organizations and their related initiatives, may have shaped Eastern Produce Malawi's CSR agenda, strong internal organizational contingencies, including transformational leaders who recognize the significance of ethical issues and strong organizational values, led it to adopt this CSR agenda in practice. This study underscores the significance of using an integrative framework to explain various CSR drivers for companies. It concludes with managerial and public policy implications, as well as areas for further research.

Efforts to understand the background to perceptions and manifestation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the developing world need to focus on establishing their link with the challenges of socio‐economic governance and societal expectations and cultural traditions. This signifies a departure from a western centric understanding of CSR but also an over‐focus on CSR as philanthropy. This study considers the Malawian tourism industry and finds that its colonial legacy, post‐colonialism development thinking and the national education system explain the prevalence of a ‘CSR as philanthropy’ agenda. When these factors interact with challenges of socio‐economic governance and societal expectations, however, the universality thesis that has often been associated with the theory and implementation CSR can be challenged. These findings therefore suggest a shift from the western centric CSR thinking to a CSR perspective that is strongly grounded in local values and norms and which meets the expectations of the global society. This indicates a way forward if CSR is to be adequately institutionalized in the developing world. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

No abstract