An Overview of CSR Programs in Saudi Arabia with Reference to Select Organizations

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implies evaluation and taking the responsibility for the organization's impact on the larger environment and eventually the social welfare aspects. It refers to the promotion of positive social and environmental change. Organizations are crucial players in the community as well as the national economic development because they control huge assets and can invest for socially conscious investments and programs. Moreover, though customers may buy goods and services but ultimately today the level of competition depends on a number of factors like the corporations social programs. A company's public image is created mostly due to the CSR activities and how well-aware customers are of them. Employees like working for a company that has a good public image and is constantly in the media for positive reasons. This paper discusses the CSR activities of some select Saudi public and private companies and analyses the implications as well as the some of the positive suggestions and criticisms in the context of the kingdom.

Critical Barriers to Social Responsibility Implementation within Mega-Construction Projects: The Case of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Currently, there is a lack of a clear understanding of SR as a concept within the KSA [20,47]. In the absence of this clear understanding, SR in the KSA has been viewed as a charitable activity, which is a far cry from societies increasing expectations of responsible businesses [48]. The focus by companies on ad hoc measures is due to limited knowledge and a lack of effort to satisfy the general public, rather than SR becoming an integrated part of corporate strategy [20].…”

“…However, the KSA government has developed the Saudi Vision 2030 which encourages active participation of the private sector in the country's development [49]. There is growing recognition of the importance of SR within the KSA government, society, public and private organizations [48,50]. SR practices within the KSA are mainly voluntary and there is no compulsory regulation from any governmental bodies to enforce it.…”

“…Frequently SR activities do not go beyond legal requirements, and in some cases may even fail to meet these legal requirements, especially within developing countries due to lack of legal intervention and a lag between socially undesirable practices and regulation requirements. The study by Maqbool [48] is fundamental in placing SR within the KSA in an international theoretical discourse as the author compares SR activities of selected public and private sector companies across the KSA. A key difference between the KSA and the international concept of SR, as highlighted by Maqbool [48], lies in the joint efforts of incorporating SR. Maqbool [48] highlighted that while global SR efforts are focused on issues such as human rights, the environment, labour rights and anti-corruption, within the KSA, the key focus appears to be on developing human and social capital in the country.…”

Attitude and Motives Towards Corporate Social Responsibility in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

“…Firms in the Middle East region ought to develop policies to govern CSR so that the local corporations take the lead in aiding the development agenda of the KSA through promoting good education, housing, health, and environmental conservation practices. The governments in these areas feel that it is their sole responsibility to develop and contribute to the social sectors such as in health, education and environmental conservation, thus closing out any efforts by the corporate sector to contribute (Magbool, 2015). There are three suggestions through which CSR is e enacted in KSA.…”

“…If they are to be effective leaders, they must take their role one step further and give generously to the community of people who fuel their success." (Magbool, 2015) The bank also publishes its annual CSR activities in the bank"s website with the aim of helping other banks, stakeholders, and even foreigners that it gears towards ensuring that the community and the entire country realize their maximum potential. In overall, the literature and evidence derived from both the GCC region and the western regions provide us with a firm foundation to aid this research, as it aims to obtain first-hand information into the view of CSR by countries in the KSA context.…”