Thematic Exploration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Issues: Origins, Twists and Turns, and Evidence from Nigeria's Oil and Gas Industry

Abstract

This paper discusses the corporate social responsibility, its origins, twists and turns, as well as some impacts and evidence from oil and gas industry in Nigeria. Efforts were made in capturing and integrating some global evolutionary and historical phases of attitudes towards social responsibility starting from Adam Smith's (1776) wealth of Nations perceptions, Milton Friedman (1970), Carroll (1991), Claydon (2011), and recent perspectives. Some areas relating to corporate social responsibility debate, and the views reconciliation were examined. Empirical evidences from oil and gas companies' corporate responsibility positive impacts on host communities lives were also explored and statistically examined. We conclude amongst others that corporate social responsibility engenders mutual cooperation and socio-economic development. Corporate organizations should be environmentally sensitive and people-friendly, such helps to minimize conflicts and enhancement of operational environment sustainability as recommended herein.