Corporate Social Responsibility in the Formal Strategic Planning of South African Listed Companies

Abstract

Manuscript type: Research paper
Research aims: This study investigates the relationship between formal
strategic planning and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the South
African context, considering JSE-listed companies.
Design/Methodology/Approach: This study employed multiple-scale
items with a five-point Likert scale to measure CSR and formal strategic
planning. A chi-square test was performed to test the significance of the
relationship between the variables.
Research findings: The analysis of all South African listed companies
(i.e., JSE-listed companies) revealed that formal strategic planning is
significantly associated with CSR, suggesting that CSR concerns are
addressed during the formal strategic planning process.
Theoretical contribution/Originality: The respondents are only limited
to JSE-listed companies and the findings are related to the links only
between formal strategic planning and CSR.
Practitioner/Policy implication: The JSE is the largest stock exchange in
Africa. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important for them to maintain
their corporate reputation with stakeholders. Accordingly, addressing
stakeholders’ demand for CSR through the formal strategic planning
process would benefit the organisation is vital.
Originality/Value: This study contributes a deep intuitive knowledge of
companies’ perceptions of CSR demonstrations by considering formal
strategic planning in the South African context.