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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN NIGERIA:

An exploration of the efficacy of legal regulation.

A Thesis submitted for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Law

By

Cosmas Uchechukwu ANYAKUDO

Student Number: 1137994

School of Law

Department of Politics, History and Law

College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences

Brunel University London

July 2016
 Abstract

The social responsibility of corporations has become a topical issue. This is

particularly so in relation to the ways and means of achieving harmony and congruency with

social expectations. With the growing importance that corporations now place on meeting

contemporary demands for extra-commercial engagement placed on them by society,

regulating corporate activity in this area has come under intense public and legal scrutiny.

In what can be described as a departure from the norm, the use of legislation to

mandate and govern corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly perceived

as an effective regulatory method in emerging economies. India, Mauritius, Indonesia and the

Philippines have adopted legislation with regard to CSR. In Nigeria, however, several

attempts at legislating on CSR have failed. This study shows that a multiplicity of factors is

responsible for this development. This thesis posits that while the adoption of international

CSR standards is encouraged through various international activities, only an autochthonous

approach which recognises the peculiarities of the Nigerian state can promote the desired

legislative objective on mandating CSR.

This study explores the prospects of mandating CSR by legislation in Nigeria and

suggests reforms deemed necessary for achieving the objective of mandatory CSR.

i
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract i

Declaration vi

Abbreviations used vii

Table of Cases viii

Table of Legislation and Other Materials ix

Acknowledgements x

PART I - Introduction and contextualisation of CSR

Chapter One: Introduction – hypothesis and research methodology

1.1 Preamble 1
1.2 Research Background 5
1.3 Research questions and Objectives 13
1.4 Research Significance: Originality and Value 14
1.5 Research Scope, Limitations and Methodology 16
1.6 Thesis Structure 18
1.6.1 Part I – Introduction
1.6.2 Part II – Theories and Principles of Law, Capitalism and CSR
1.6.3 Part III – CSR and Regulations in Developing Countries
1.6.4 Part IV – Legislating CSR in Nigeria (a case study)
1.6.5 Part Five – Future Trends – Challenges and Opportunities

Chapter Two:
2.1 Introduction 21
2.2 The Modern Corporation and Corporate law 23
2.3 Multinational Corporations and the Global Economy 29
2.4 Multinational Corporations and International Corporate History 34
2.5. For who and for what do corporations exist? 37
2.5.1 The Beneficiaries of Corporate Existence
2.5.2 The Purposes of the Corporation
2.6 What has law got to do with it? 44
2.6.1 The Foundation Principles of Modern Corporate Law
2.6.2 International Corporate Law?
2.7 Theories of Corporate Law 50
2.8 Summary 52

ii
 PART II – History of CSR and its regulation

Chapter Three:
3.1 Introduction 54
3.2 The Corporate Accountability Movement – the beginning? 55
3.3 The historical development of modern CSR 58
3.3.1 Pre-1950 history
3.3.2 1950s – Embryonic development of concepts
3.3.3 1960s – Defining the boundaries
3.3.4 1970s – Multiplication of definitions but CSR dominates
3.3.5 1980s – Research proliferation and ownership struggles
3.3.6 1990s – More varieties of the same?
3.3.7 2000 – Present: A new CSR ideology?
3.4 Theories and Models of CSR 71
3.4.1 Shareholder Value Theory
3.4.2 Stakeholder Theory
3.4.3 Corporate Sustainability or Sustainable Development Theory
3.4.4 Corporate Social Performance Theory
3.4.5 Corporate Citizenship Theory
3.4.6 Corporate Theory Convergence?
3.5 What is Corporate Social Responsibility? 82
3.5.1 The Concept of Responsibility: Before, During and After the Fact
3.5.2 Definitions of CSR
3.5.3 (Re)Conceptualising CSR
3.6 The Scope of CSR 92
3.6.1 Conventional Scope and Limitations
3.6.2 (Re)Constructing Contemporary CSR
3.7 Criticisms of CSR 96
3.8 Summary 98

Chapter Four: Regulating CSR: The challenge for law

4.1 Introduction 100
4.2 What is regulation? 102
4.3 Self-Regulation 104
4.3.1 CSR Standards and Codes
4.3.2 Ratings
4.3.3 Certifications
4.4 Legal Regulation 110
4.4.1 Soft law
4.4.2 Hard law
4.4.3 The utility of law
4.4.4 Regulating CSR in international law

iii
4.4.5 Criticisms of legal regulation of CSR
4.5 The business case for CSR and regulation 140
4.6 Summary 146

PART III - CSR in emerging economies; the case of Nigeria

Chapter Five: CSR and Development in Emerging Economies

5.1 Introduction 149
5.2. The challenges of development 151
5.2.1 Corruption
5.2.2 Poor economic opportunities
5.2.3 Human Rights and organised CSOs
5.2.4 Weak Political and Judicial Institutions
5.3 Corporations and Development 167
5.3.1 Role of corporations in development
5.3.2 A new world corporate order?
5.4 The experiment of legalise and mandatory CSR; a growing trend? 175
5.4.1 Indonesia
5.4.2 India
5.4.3 Mauritius
5.5 CSR and the development agenda;
Individualism and neo-liberalism v collectivism and social capitalism 184
5.6 Summary 192

Chapter Six: CSR in Nigeria; practice and law

6.1 Introduction 194
6.2 A Concise Socio-Economic and Political History of Nigeria? 196
6.3 Nigerian Corporate Law framework 205
6.3.1 International Treaties and Judgements of International Courts
6.3.2 National legislation
6.3.2.1 Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990
6.3.2.2 Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act 2007
6.3.2.3 Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act 2011
6.3.2.4 Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Act 2010
6.4 CSR Policy and Practice 216
6.4.1 The drivers of CSR in Nigeria; the CSOs, the state and business
6.4.2 Challenges of CSR in Nigeria
6.4.3 Domestic corporations, SMEs and the practice of CSR
6.5 Recent developments and prospects 232
6.6 Summary 237

iv
 PART III – Legislating CSR in Nigeria; any prospects?

Chapter Seven: Legally Mandating CSR in Nigeria; challenges and prospects

7.1 Introduction 239

7.2 CSR and Nigeria’s development agenda 240
7.2.1 Social-cultural issues of Nigeria’s development
7.2.2 The economy, develomental imperatives and strategies
7.2.3 Political stability and development
7.3 The failed attempts at legislating CSR 245
7.3.1 Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2008
7.3.2 Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2012
7.3.3 Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2015
7.3.4 Petroleum Industry Bill 2015
7.4 The prospects of mandatory legislation of CSR 251
7.4.1 How should the law be framed?
7.4.2 What of enforcement mechanisms?
7.4.3 Assessment - evaluation and reform
7.5 Looking beyond 2015 – what lies ahead? 265
7.6 Summary 267

Chapter Eight: Summation and Recommendations

8.1. Summation of thesis 269
8.2 Recommendations: International Law 270
8.2.1 Insurance
8.2.2 Amendment of Corporate Governance Codes etc.
8.2.3 International Non-Governmental Organisations
8.2.4 International State Institutions
8.3 Recommendations: Nigeria 273
8.3.1 Need for Institutional Reform
8.3.2 Need for Public Consultations
8.3.3 Need for Company Law and Corporate Governance Reforms
8.3.4 Need for Legislative Reform
8.4 Suggestions for further research 277
8.5 Contribution to knowledge 279
8.6 Final remarks 280

Bibliography

v
 Declaration

I declare that the work presented in this thesis is my own except where it is stated otherwise.

vi
 Abbreviations Used

AU - African Union

CSO - Civil Society Organisation

CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility

ECOWAS - Economic Community of West African States

EEA - European Economic Agreement

EEC - European Economic Community

EITI - Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative

ESCS - European Coal and Seal Community

EU - European Union

FDI - Foreign Direct Investment

IMF - International Monetary Fund

IOC - International Oil Company

IoT - Internet of Things

OECD - Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

ODI - Overseas Development Institute

MSME - Micro Small and Medium Enterprises

NESREA - National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement

Agency

TTIP - Transatlantic Investment Trade Partnership

UN - United Nations

WTO - World Trade Organisation

vii
 Table of Cases

Ashby v White (1703) 92 ER 126

Bowoto v Chevron Corporation 557 F. Supp. 2d 1080 (N.D. Cal. 2008).

Dodge v. Ford Motor Company 170 NW 668 (Mich 1919)

Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] UKHL 100.s

Hughes v Weiss & Iuvus Ltd [2012] EWCH 2363 (Ch)

IT Human Resources Plc v Land [2014] EWHC 3812 (Ch)

Khan v Miah [2000] 1 WLR 2123

Lubbe v. Cape Plc., [2000] UKHL 41

Ron Obey v West African Examination Council [2000] 2 WRN 130; 2 NPILR 106.

Salomon v Salomon & Co Ltd [1897] AC 22

SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria & Ors. ECW/CCJ/APP/08/09 (JUDGMENT N°

ECW/CCJ/JUD/18/12)

Stimpson & Ors. v Southern Landlords Association & Ors [2009] All ER (D) 193 (May)

viii
 Table of Legislation and Other Materials

Nigerian Statutes

Education Tax Act, 2004

Education Trust Fund Act 2003.
Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act 2011
Freedom of Information Act 2011
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act 2000
National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act
2007
Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act 2007
Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010
National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (Establishment) Act 2006
Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act 2011

UK Statute

Bribery Act 2010

Companies Act 2006
Joint Stock Companies Act 1844
Limited Partnership Act 1907

Other Legislation

USA - Accounting Industry Reform Act 2002

USA - Alien Tort Claims Act (ACTA), 28 USC§1350
India - Companies Act 2013

ix
 Acknowledgements

Pre-eminently, I am grateful to God for the upliftment and courage that I received – when
needed - throughout the tumultuous period of this study. I also owe a debt of gratitude to my
wife Yemi and daughter Victoria who provided me, not once, the reason to always give my
best.

The support of my Supervisors Dr Olufemi Amao, Dr Shabir Korotana and Professor Peter
Jaffey and other members of staff at Brunel Law School have been invaluable and
unforgettable. I also thank unreservedly Dr Gerard Conway (Independent Chair), Professor
Abimbola Olowofoyeku and Professor Emmanuel Adegbite of De Montfort University,
Manchester (Internal and External Examiners respectively) for their forthright overview of
my thesis and the candour with which my viva voce was conducted.

To members of my family, my parents Late “Double Chief” Victor Evans Anyakudo and
Lolo Cordelia Anyakudo, and siblings Fabian (who passed away in the course of this
research), Damian, Okey, Jummy, ‘Toyin, Josephat and Charles I give thanks. My lords
spiritual Pastors Peter Chandler and Archie Harold-Brown have contributed immensely over
the years by spurring me and I thank them.

My fellow researchers who encouraged me by calling me ‘Doc’ well before my time

instigating me to the finish line including Dr Muhammad Saghedi, Dr Charles ‘Timi
Olubokun (Otunba), Dr Muath Al-Zozubi and Dr Henry Uzokwe all deserve my thanks. I
must not fail to mention and thank the cooperative staff at the Drill Hall Library, Chatham,
Kent who assisted me when away from school.

x
 Zerk

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

1.1 Preamble to the research issue

In the past decade, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been receiving wide attention all

over the world. This attention is mostly due to the global economic crisis that was stimulated

by the financial crisis that began 2007 – 2008. A study soon after the global financial crisis

occurred showed that the impact on Nigeria was “enormous and widespread” 1 Other events

such as the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 20102 in the Gulf of

Mexico and growing effects of climate change around the world have led many to question

the role of business in society and the ways to manage their perceived responsibilities beyond

their self-interest of making profits. In most economic and many non-economic fora,

‘corporate social responsibility’ has been receiving increased and substantial attention.3

Public media has been agog with publications on the perceived causal factors of the global

crisis and suggestions about whom and/or what is to blame is still rife. Corporations have

received substantial scrutiny; the banking sector and other big corporations whose operations

cause environmental or social damage are being investigated. Byeong-Joon Moon, suggests

there are “two different types of corporate associations: one focusses on the corporation’s

1
See Olu Ajakaiye and ’Tayo Fakiyesi, “Global Financial Crisis Discussion Series - Paper 8: Nigeria”
(Overseas Development Institute (ODI) London, 2009)
2
This oil spill occurred between 20 April 2010 and 15 July 2010 lasting 87 days. Eleven persons went
missing and never recovered following an explosion and sinking of an oil rig operated by Deepwater
Horizon for British Petroleum (BP). It has been regarded as the largest accidental marine oil spill in
the history of petroleum exploration.
3
For a dissenting view on the relevance of the relevance of CSR see, Robert B. Reich, ‘The Case
Against Corporate Social Responsibility’ Goldman School Working Paper Series (2008).

1
capability to produce quality products and another on the corporation’s engagement in social

responsibility”.4 It is with the latter that this study is concerned.

Particularly, the effects of corporate behaviour towards human resources and the environment

has been adjudged as being devoid of social considerations. This indictment has been levelled

against corporations mostly in the Western economies but extends to multinational

corporations (MNCs) that operate in developing countries such as India, China and Nigeria.

Our case study - Nigeria – not being exempt from the impact of the global economic crisis,

sought to ameliorate its effects. Accordingly, corporations, states, multilateral governmental,

non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations in developed and developing

countries alike, have demonstrated intensified interest in achieving ways of ensuring that

corporations give consideration to social impact imperatives of doing business. CSR seems to

be one the key ways of achieving this objective. As part of its closing remarks in the

Conclusions of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, the Commission warned that the

“greatest tragedy would be to accept the refrain that no one could have seen this coming and

thus nothing could have been done … this is our collective responsibility. It falls to us to

make different choices if we want different results”.5 Clearly, moral turpitude and greed on

the part of corporate managers has not escaped mentioning in the discussion of what led to

the global economic crisis.6 On the other hand, states were lambasted for allowing unfettered

latitude of corporate governance. Nonetheless, some have suggested that the problems

leading to the crisis are inherent in society. This study is an investigation of the emerging

4
Byeong-Joon Moon, Lee W. Lee and Chang Hoon Oh, "The Impact of CSR on Consumer-Corporate
Connection and Brand Loyalty", (2015) 32 International Marketing Review 518, 519.
5
The Conclusion of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, The Financial Crisis Commission
Report (2010) xxviii
6
See Aliza D. Racelis, ‘Examining the Global Financial Crisis from a Virtue Theory Lens’ (2014)
14(2) Asia-Pacific Social Science Review 23-38. This study concentrated on the moral question in
religion to the financial crisis of 2008 with reference to Philippines.

2
trend in and the prospects of legally mandating CSR in Nigeria particularly. It also – more

genrally – considers contemporary legislative responses globally drawing examples from

developing countries like India and Mauritius.7 This study seeks to identify the factors

influencing legally mandating CSR in developing states and attempts to forecast the prospects

of legislating mandatory CSR in Nigeria.8

Professionals of various backgrounds have contributed to the debate on the social

responsibility of business. Economists, social scientists, lawyers, managerial scientists and

academics of various disciplines and shades of opinion have argued diversely on the subject

of CSR.9 In academia, the subject of corporate responsibility has presented opportunities for

economic, social science and legal research into understanding the role of business in society

and how to manage them.10 The corporations involved have not been silent; they have

pressed their position in this debate. The public (organised and unorganised) has also reacted

in several ways to steer the argument on corporate social responsibility. States have also

reacted to the present global challenges on the basis of their individual circumstances by

advocating solutions that depict their political economic posture.11

The solutions proffered for achieving greater responsiveness by corporations to social

expectations following the worldwide economic downturn that followed the recent financial

7
Olufemi Amao, ‘Emergent State Practice on the Creation and Practice of Standards on Corporate
Social Responsibility’ (2014) 1(1) State Practice and International Law Journal (SPILJ) 117
8
The various attempts at legislating CSR in Nigeria between 2004 and 2015 is discussed further in
Chapter 6.
9
See generally: David Henderson, ‘Misguided Corporate Virtue: The Case Against CSR and True
Role of Business Today’ Institute of Economic Affairs (Journal Compilation, Blackwell Publishing
2009); Robert B. Reich, ‘The Case Against Corporate Social Responsibility’ Goldman School
Working Paper Series (2008)
10
A Crane, D Matten, and L Spence, Corporate Social Responsibility: Readings and Cases in Global
Context (Routledge London, 2008)
11
Although some governments are subtler than others in exhibiting their political philosophies, most
states are influenced by their politics as much as they are by their economic circumstances.

3
crisis have been contradictory in the least. Some solutions demanded corporations to act

independently of the state in investigating the crisis and to come up with internal structures

under self-regulatory mechanisms. Others argued that states should act by introducing

measures through the instrumentality of legislative regulation to control possible corporate

contraventions of their social responsibilities. Some others argued that society must act

communally, to minimise the probability of the recurrence of a global crisis through

collective societal reorientation. Underlying the various demands is the notion that

corporations need to be more responsive to and responsible for negative social effects of their

operations beyond the fundamental objective of making a profit and keeping the law.12 A

solution which will accommodate the preoccupation of business while meeting social needs

will achieve the seemingly desired and desirable but yet elusive common agreeability.

Expectedly, the effect and dimension of the global economic crisis of 2008 – 2009

reverberated beyond the shores of the two major developed countries that represented the

epicentre of the crisis – the UK and US. It affected the economies of developed and

developing states in all regions of the world. The global impact of the crisis evoked the

legitimate interest of international law scholars. The interest lies in investigating the

possibilities of applying international law to the imbroglio. Due to the immaturity of

international corporate law, a fragmented approach can be discerned in the international

arena. In this regard, continental, sub-continental and several national initiatives have been

developed. The various initiatives, it appears, represent particular economic views supported

by particular political ideology.

12
Milton Friedman, ‘The Social Responsibility of Business is to increase its profits’ New York Times,
(New York, 13 September 1970) 32. David Henderson, former chief economist at the Organization
for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has supported this position in a book Misguided
Virtue: False Notions of Corporate Social Responsibility (The Institute of Economic Affairs 2001).

4
Accordingly, in the developed countries there is no want of proponents of deregulation and

fundamental free market economic principles. Therefore, the capitalist notion that the

‘invisible hand’ of market is best suited for achieving distrubution of economic resources

which has pervaded Western economies persists after the crisis. Conversely, in developing

countries like Nigeria, the dominant view tends to support more regulation of corporations.

The spate of The arguments on the appropriate regulatory framework for corporations has

polarised CSR scholars. This thesis focuses on the legislative developments in Nigeria as a

casestudy for understanding the perspective of legislating CSR in developing countries. Some

reference will be made to the laws of other jurisdictions like India, Mauritius and Phillippines

were appropriate. In examining the desireability of a regulatory framework in Nigeria, the

Western European and American notion of corporate self-regulation will be the departure

point in this research.

1.2 Research Background

This study concerns the regulation of MNCs in Nigeria in particular. It investigates generally

the international influences shaping the CSR policy, practice and legislative landscape. It

identifies principal regulatory tools and analyses their effectiveness. The effects of socio-

cultural, economic and political forces on attempts at the regulation CSR for MNCs are

identified and evaluated. In particular, the question of whether corporations should undertake

further responsibility in society beyond the keeping of the law is considered against Nigeria’s

several failed attempts at legislating mandatory CSR. This study is contextualised

geographically. As Okoye correctly notes, ‘CSR is more specifically definable in context’.13

13
Adaeze Okoye, ‘Exploring the relationship between corporate social responsibility, law and
development in an African context’, (2012) 54 (5) International Journal of Law and Management 364,

5
This study also highlights the most recent international and domestic circumstances that

determine the relevance of CSR in contemporary Nigeria, despite the opposition of business.

The tenability of the argument canvassed on behalf of business that mandating CSR will

inevitably lead to fettering innovation, production efficiency, and increases transactional

costs and effectiveness is evaluated.

The focus on Nigeria is predicated by the failure of its attempt to join the few nations of the

world – all of which are emerging economies – that have successfully mandated CSR through

legislation. This development is interesting because of the successes registered by

Philippines, India, Indonesia and Mauritius (all to varying degrees and specifications) to

passing national legislation on CSR. This study itself is motivated by the interest generated

from the ostensibly emerging trend of legally mandating CSR other developing countries.

This study suggested that developing countries broadly share similar economic characteristics

that makes the extrapolation of the findings of this study relevant in all emerging market

jurisdictions.14 It is from the description above that the relationship between business and

society is interrogated. The pertinent question asked is; concerning corporate social

responsibility in emerging economies like Nigeria, what is the value of mandating

compliance in law and does the matter of the social responsibility of business go beyond the

law? In answering this question, the potential value and efficacy of CSR legislation in

emerging economies will be examined with Nigeria providing the contextual background.

The prevalent conceptualisation and practice of CSR in Nigeria receives is examined to

identify any theoretical underpinnings. Additionally, the relationship between national and

367. This is the justification for contextualising this study in terms of (Nigeria) geography and
(definition) description.
14
There are various indices for determining whether a country is developed and developing; low per
capita income, poor political institutions and high unemployment are some of them. However, it is
agreed that all African countries and most southern hemisphere countries are “developing”.

6
international efforts at grappling with the mutable concerns brought about by globalisation

and the transnational nature of multinational business is examined also. Additionally, the

outcomes from legislating on CSR in India and Mauritius, will be examined to understand

what prospects mandating CSR portends for Nigeria. The value of legislating on CSR is

interrogated vis-à-vis the obligations of developing countries in domesticating relevant

provisions of applicable international instruments.15 The ultimate question contemplated in

this thesis relates, therefore, to clarifying whether there are benefits of legislating CSR in

developing countries like Nigeria. Put another way - is legislation a useful tool in regulating

CSR activities of companies in developing countries?

Considering the dearth of research on the practice and prospects of CSR in developing

countries, this thesis highlights the importance of understanding the probable value and basis

of achieving partnership between business, society and the state in promoting CSR

programmes. It will also consider the strategies that may be adopted in achieving cooperative

participation of the three parties given the common socio-economic objectives.

Recommendations concerning structured participation of corporations in, and coordination by

states, of CSR programmes benchmarked in legislation to meet societal demands will be

proffered. As already mentioned, the ongoing financial crisis and the attempts of business,

state and society generally to grapple with what can be considered as cyclical corporate

collapses, have captured the interest of the entire world. The financial and economic

consequence of the recent global financial crisis having been global, its effects have not been

lost to both corporations and governments worldwide.16 It has led to a global recession. Stijn

15
Nigeria is a signatory to several regional, continental and global Conventions that impact business
operations.
16
For an outlook on the future of emerging economies following the last global recession see
generally: Claudio M. Loser, ‘Emerging Market Economies: Out of Favor But Not Out of Steam’
(2014) 6 (2) Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies 97. He argues that emerging economies

7
Claessens and M. Ayhan suggest that “there is no official definition of recession, but there is

general recognition that the term refers to a period of decline in economic activity”17.

In developed and developing economies, state officials and civil society activists continue to

seize every opportunity to remind the world of the unsavoury effects of the global financial

crisis while promoting the desirability of their proposals. Invariably, business has been urging

the relaxation of regulation and legal bureaucracies while the opposition claim that more

regulation of business is advantageous to forestall a repeat of the financial crisis. Some

vehemently oppose the mainstream arguments advancing what could be considered ‘middle

ground’ or ‘consensus’ approach. The aim of this thesis is, therefore, to provide an overview

of the various arguments and the contemporary issues giving rise to the trending

preponderance of legal provisioning of CSR in the corporate law of developing countries.

Recognising that there is a wide range of economic and legal theories engaged in the study of

contemporary conceptualisations and practise of CSR, some legal theories are explored in

this study to explain the proposition that legal mandation of CSR can be advantageous in

developing societies.18 Mention is made of economic theories with this study taking a

utilitarian view of law in support of the contention on the applicability of legal mandation of

CSR in developing economies such as Nigeria. A cosmopolitan view is adopted to investigate

and propose the conceptualization of contemporary CSR in the international arena given that

internationalisation is a result of globalisation and an inescapable outcome of international

face challenges but a positive economic outlook in the medium-to-long-term following the recent
global downturn.
17
Stijn Claessens & M. Ayhan, ‘What Is a Recession? (2009) 46 (1) Finance & Development.
Finance & Development is a quarterly publication of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The
period generally accepted is two consecutive quarters.
18
The suggestions made in this regard are of particular relevance to Nigeria and developing countries.
The distinction with developed countries is made on the basis that there is a difference in perceptions
of the value of legislating CSR or to use it as a tool for development.

8
law.19 The social contract theory will be applied to justify the expectation of society from

government and business. An application of this theory will be in rationalising the free

market or capitalist economic considerations that define the contemporary corporate social

responsibility practises.20 Lastly, as far as the benefit of CSR is concerned, utilitarianism and

corporate citizenship theories will be adopted in arguing the imperativeness of using law in

achieving the desirable outcome of implementing CSR laws in the context of developing or

emerging economies.21 A further application of the adopted legal theory in the examination of

the role of law in the formulation of a regulatory regime in emerging markets with Nigeria as

a case study.

On theorising to contextualise a study, Phillips Shively, regarding longitudinal and cross-

sectional research imperatives noted that;

“It is quite possible, for instance, that economic development could be

positively related to openness of government when we compare across states

but be negatively related across local subunits within one state. Anticipating

such variations in process across levels of analysis often requires subtle

theorizing, and it is awfully easy for investigators to skip the theorizing and

simply assume parallelism”.22

Firstly, therefore, a discussion of the various legal theories alluded heretofore will be

followed secondarily, by reviewing globalisation and the dispersal of free market economic

19
The idea here is to identify cosmopolitanism as supporting the view that globalisation is the result
of the international legal framework.
20
In other words, on what theory can societal expectations of state and business be hinged?
21
In this regard, it is posited that legislation is the only acceptable social construct that can be used as
a vehicle to deliver social engineering, change and cohesion.
22
Phillips W. Shiveley, ‘Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific Inference in Social Research’ (1995) 57
(4) The Journal of Politics, 1192. The book referred to is: Gary King, Robert O. Keohane and Sidney
Verba, Designing Social Inquiry: Scientific Inference in Social Research (Princeton University Press,
1994).

9
principles and the practise of corporate social responsibility which has been embraced by

business in most developing countries. Lastly, the experience of the emerging markets or

developing countries such as Nigeria is of particular interest in this thesis. Given that the

financial crisis originated from the developed economies from which the developing

economies are importing their financial and market economy framework, a look at the

peculiarities of this group is desirable. When dealing with the theories of CSR, I attempt a

reconceptualisation of the subject and proffer a definition. In analysing the ways in which it is

practised, various regulatory tools both legislative and non-legislative will be identified.

Taking from the example of India, which recently passed CSR legislation, it appears that

legal prescription which has often been overlooked in the arsenal of potential tools for

regulating CSR is becoming common.

As much as the leading discussants of CSR cannot be ignored, the dominant dichotomy

suggests that on one side are neoliberal capitalists; prominent amongst whom are Friedman23

and Freeman,24 who opposed each other vehemently. The scope of this research is not limited

to the extant notions of CSR but also of contemporary fringe developments such as climate

change and global emissions levels that are increasing in impetus and importance. The once-

upon-a-time peripheral and marginal issues regarding the purpose of business and its

reasonable responsibilities to society have now become more visible in arguments on

business ethics and CSR. Issues such as climate change and the environment, privacy and

security concerns and internet marketing are pushing the frontiers of CSR discourse among

23
See generally: Milton Friedman, ‘Capitalism and Freedom’ (University of Chicago Press, 1962).
But perhaps the writing that best characterise the position of Friedman with direct relevance to CSR is
self-evident from this piece: Milton Friedman, ‘The Social Responsibility of Business is to increase its
profits’ New York Times, (New York, 13 September 1970) 32. R. E. Freeman, Strategic Management:
A Stakeholder Approach (Pitman, Boston 1984)
24
R. E. Freeman, Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach (Pitman, Boston 1984) is a much-
quoted work of Freeman in which he makes the case for pluralist corporate objectives.

10
stakeholder theorists.25 Although there is controversy surrounding a universal definition of

CSR, what is incontrovertible is its rise to prominence.

Academic scholars are not the only interested party in understanding and shaping the future

of CSR. Business, civil society organisations, governmental and non-governmental

organisations and individuals, en-masse have all subscribed to interacting on the subject. CSR

compliance and certification organisations are springing up with others dishing out awards

for “compliance” and “performance” to their “deserving companies”. This has given rise to

the emergence of “experts” and “consultants” in this field of study and practice. Rating and

assessment agencies are also observed to be proliferating.26

Although corporate philanthropy is still being practised, other forms of corporate–societal

engagement is trending globally due to apparent changes in the international political, legal,

social and natural environment in which corporations now operate. This thesis, therefore,

does not support the isolation of any one of the “triple bottom line” (as propounded by John

Elkington),27 neither of the three main factors of CSR participation to wit corporations, state

and society. The notorious cases of China’s children’s milk scandal which sickened about

600,000 children in 2008, the exposure of child labour and poor condition of Nike workers in

Indonesia in 199128, the Bhopal gas disaster in India in 198429 in which negligent workers

25
I argue that CSR as a subject is engaging issues of natural resource sustainability and international
climate change concerns in a way not before seen, thereby expanding the boundaries of the subject.
Although CR has been viewed with national bias, its international bias is further brought into
prominence by sustainability and ‘global warming’ issues.
26
Steven Scalet and Thomas F. Kelly, ‘CSR Rating Agencies: What is Their Global Impact?’
(2010) 94 (1) Journal of Business Ethics 69, 70.
27
J. Elkington, Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of the 21st Century Business (Capstone,
1997).
28
This is discussed later in this study.
29
This incident was regarded as the world’s largest industrial disaster when 40 tonnes of poisonous
gases leaked from a Union Carbide factory on 3 December 1984. 8 persons were convicted for

11
were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment30, Ogoniland31 and relatively more recently

Bangladesh workers, seems to suggest a preponderance of CSR issues in developing

countries.32 The United Nations (UN) found that since “1994, the world’s population has

grown from 5.7 to 7.2 billion, with three quarters of that growth occurring in Asia and

Africa” and that projections “suggest that the world’s population will continue to increase

and could reach 9.6 billion by mid-century”.33 With the location of abundant natural

resources and cheap labour informing the relocation of many western corporations to

developing countries, the interaction between the large corporations in their host communities

becomes a matter of social interest.

Lately, Nigeria has been tagged the largest economy in Africa following a recent rebasing of

certain sectors of its economy.34 The economy of Nigeria since the discovery of crude oil in

1957 has been influenced greatly by multinational corporations from the West. Many

influences have shaped the practise of CSR in Nigeria. This research is an attempt at

understanding the contemporary CSR policy, law and practise prevalent in Nigeria. As

Nigeria is an important emerging economy in Africa and indeed the world, it is imperative

that research is done in this area.

negligence leading to the deaths in 2010. 3,500 deaths were reported as a direct result of the incident
and 15,000 other deaths were linked to it within 6 years. The leak affected over 500,000 residents of
the immediate environment. In 1989, the sum of $470 million was paid as compensation to the Indian
Government.
30
‘Bhopal trial: Eight Convicted over India gas disaster’ BBC News (London, 7 June 2010)
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8725140.stm> accessed 12 January 2016.
31
This is one of the most well-known and is relevant to Nigeria in particular. It is discussed more in
this study.
32
It is not suggested that industrial disasters and corporate scandals do not occur in developing world,
what is posited is that the ramifications and scale of these events are more widespread and of greater
socio-economic consequences in developing countries. The reasons for this view are explained in
succeeding chapters.
33
Concise Report on the World Population Situation in 2014 (New York, 2014) 29
34
Africa’s Biggest Economy, (2014) Africa Research Bulletin, 20340

12
1.3 Research Questions and Objectives

The aim of this research, therefore, is to identifying corporate objectives and their relevance

to the pursuit of credible social responsibility programmes by corporations. It will further

investigate the significance of legal regulation in the face of the apparent ineffectual self-

regulation by corporations. Relying on findings in previous research (though scanty), this

study will aim to illuminate the challenges and prospects of mandating CSR by legislation in

Nigeria as is currently proposed.35

The aim of this research, therefore, is to identify the justifications for the use of law as an

effective regulatory tool in international commercial law. It further seeks to identify and

sensitively harmonise the interest of business and society in a complementary manner. This

thesis will, therefore, be of interest to all who seek to use the law as a tool amongst the many

others available in achieving sustainability of financial stability through long-term corporate

existence.

Drawing from the examinations of historical and recent developments in understanding the

role of law in framing CSR regulation, the developmental impact of CSR will also be

construed. The issues for interrogate in particular are;

(i) The justification for mandating CSR through legislation as a regulatory tool in

Nigeria considering the context of its development; and

(ii) The impact of legal regulation of CSR on corporate objectives in Nigeria as a

developing country?

35
The reintroduction of the Petroleum Industry Bill 2008 in 2012 and again in 2015 to restructure the
petroleum industry and the reintroduction of the Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2008 as the
Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2015 will be examined to elucidate the issues associated with this
development.

13
In consequence, this study will (a) evaluate the policy and legal provisions on CSR in

Nigeria, (b) examine the prospect of legal mandation of CSR in Nigeria and (c) make

recommendations for the effective practice of CSR in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Significance: Originality and Value

The significance and value of the research are in its novel approach and the importance of the

subject matter – the legal mandation of CSR in emerging economies and Nigeria in

particular. Recently, the Chief Economist of the World Bank noted that the rebasing of the

Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has exposed the country’s investment potentials to

the world and identified its fast-growing economy as investment-driven.36 This research

provides an exciting opportunity to advance our knowledge of the possible use of legislation

as a regulatory tool for CSR. Particularly of interest is the fact that the economic growth

experienced by the emerging economies is at subject to global pressures one of which is the

viability of the developed economies of the western nations. The dearth of literature in this

regard is apparent upon a cursory review of available scholarly publications on developing

countries relative to the developed countries. Frynas are clear that “developing economies are

different from developed ones, and require particular attention”.37

Additionally, this research questions the normative and conventional discussions on law and

CSR. Building on the premise that law is a tool for social engineering and notions of social

36
See Ndubisi Francis, ‘W’Bank: Rebased GDP Has exposed Nigeria to Global Investors’ (THISDAY
LIVE, 13 April 2014) <http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/wbank-rebased-gdp-has-exposed-nigeria-
to-global-investors/176037/> accessed 12 July 2014
37
A perfunctory comparison of the availability of literature on developed and developing countries
will find a vast gap in favour of developed countries. See generally:
Michael Blowfield and Jedrzej G Frynas, ‘Setting New Agendas: Critical Perspectives on Corporate
Social Responsibility in the Developing World’ (2205) 81 (3) International Affairs 499, 499.

14
contract and corporate citizenship with moral obligations, arguments are developed to

rationalise and legitimise the corresponding responsibilities which corporations should be

expected to undertake in society. It utilises the notion of “corporate citizenship” and theory of

social contract to rationalise legitimising legislation of CSR although remaining agnostic till

the very end.

As an insignificant body of research exists in this area on Nigeria and developing countries,

this thesis is perhaps, the first attempt at a comprehensive investigation of the legal

mandation perspective of CSR in Nigeria, in a major research work outside of the short

papers and suggestions that can be gleaned from currently available material. The originality

of this work is obvious as the first extensive exploratory study exposing the challenges and

prospects of the mandatory legal regulation of CSR in Nigeria. Other studies have examined

the fundamental theoretical and human rights issues as the seminal work of Olufemi Amao38

on CSR in developing countries. The paucity of research in this area with particular reference

to Nigeria has been widely acknowledged as only a few authoritative writings exist.39 This

study is forward looking and novel by exploring the ramifications of the emerging use of law

and mandatory CSR as a means of attaining developmental objectives.

In the final analysis, this thesis posits that there is a greater role for law and governments both

nationally and internationally to engage with business to develop mutually complementary

regulatory systems. As will be shown, although globalisation set the scene for an

38
Olufemi Amao, Corporate Social Responsibility, Human Rights and the Law Multinational
Corporations in Developing Countries (Routledge 2011). This book has a wider appeal for all
developing countries although its Chapter 4 was dedicated to Nigeria.
39
Emmanuel Franklyne and Onyemaechi Ogbunwezeh, Towards an Ethical-Ecological Assessment of
Companies in Nigeria (Peter Lang 2012). This book focused critically on the effects of ‘disappearing’
and ineffectual CSR programs of IOCs in the Nigeria Delta region of Nigeria.

15
international approach to resolving the perceived conflict between society and business,

national laws can be effective in engage the autochthonous issues for common benefit of

state, business and society generally.

This work will be useful in social policy formation legal reform and legislative drafting

thereby being of interest to lawyers and social policy students alike and can be considered a

socioeconomic-legal research. The justification of this study is in the need to examine a

thorough examination of the considerations for legal mandation of CSR in Nigeria and

developing countries akin to it. This study will be beneficial for the consideration of the many

aspects that are likely to impact one way or the other the legal mandation of CSR generally

and in developing countries in particular.

1.5 Research Scope, Limitations and Methodology

1.5.1 Scope

It is not intended in this thesis to enumerate and critically examine all the theories of law. It is

only intended that a perfunctory review is undertaken to highlight the various theories of law

in order to understand the reason behind the choices I have made in adopting the theories that

are applied thematically in this thesis. Additionally, this research propitiously demonstrates

the interdisciplinarity between law and economics. It also draws attention to the for home-

grown CSR models for developing countries in general and Nigeria in particular.

1.5.2 Limitations

Due to practical constraints this research is not empirical in nature. The reader should bear in

mind that it is not meant to discuss exhaustively financial or economic theories. This research

16
does not engage at any depth economic theories or social policy analytics.40 As much as

practicable, reliance has been placed on empirical studies of authors considered credible

although this research in itself is not an empirical research. The constraints of time and

resources have therefore limited its focus to qualitative analysis. As this is not an empirical

study relatively, insubstantial quantitative values are employed. Further research, particularly

of an empirical nature may need to be undertaken to test the outcomes of this research on one

of the other well-known developing countries.41 In future research, it will be interesting to use

quantitative or mixed qualitative-and-quantitative approach to investigate the effect on

business of legal mandation of CSR especially of India’s experimental legislation.

1.5.3 Methodology

The methodology adopted in this research is indicative of a reflective approach to an

exploratory venture. As at the date of completion of this research, Nigeria had not passed the

Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2015 into law. This is a doctrinal research interrogating

the theoretical underpinnings of corporate law theories. Reliance is placed on scholastic

publications for theoretical exploration, comparative. Beginning with a broad review of the

purpose and function of law in society and international law in particular. Then discussions

are honed in on CSR and its implications in emerging economies with Nigeria as a case

study. The benefit of the case study approach in this research is to achieve robust and in-

depth consideration of CSR issues in the particular context of Nigeria. An examination of

case law in this area an empirical matter and implication of the theoretical conclusions is then

40
The common understanding of concepts of macroeconomics, psychology and sociology have
deliberately been used without any profound elucidations. Such assignation is left for the subjects’
experts.
41
Brazil will be an interest case on account of its perceived social inequality, large extractive industry
and challenges in human and environmental sustainability. CSR is not legislated in Brazil but most
notable companies have subscribed to the ETHOS Institute social responsibility principles which was
developed by Brazilian managers and entrepreneurs in 1998.

17
undertaken. As much is relevant to this study, a blending of some empirical data, relevant

theories, historical and contemporary commentaries are used. It is an explorative using direct

observation and reliance on primary and secondary sources, especially published materials of

experts and outcomes of empirical research. In this study, though the methodological

approach taken was primarily qualitative and interpretative, due regard must be given to the

use of quantitative material to appreciate its full purport. This thesis has been deliberately

organised starting with the most general subject of the law and international law. It then

tapers to discuss in particular the general issues of corporate law of which CSR is a specific

and detailed subdiscipline. This is an exploratory investigation into the prospects of

legislating CSR in Nigeria.

1.6 Thesis Structure

This research has been divided into five parts with eight chapters, including the introduction

and concluding remarks that merely provide a preface and the culminating thoughts of the

thesis.

1.6.1 Part I – General Introduction

In the introduction chapter of this study, the entire thesis is overviewed with the intention of

setting out the motivation for this study, the theoretical and substantive lines of enquiries and

ultimate objectives of this research. The introduction is meant to be a condensation of the

main themes of the thesis, demonstrating how they interact and result in the substance of this

thesis. Relating to this research, it is important to point out that, it has been carried out “in

context” of the developing countries generally (and Nigeria in particular) and should be

viewed within this preconception.

18
1.6.2 Part Two - Theories and Principles of Law, Capitalism and CSR

The second and third chapters are the beginning of the enquiry into my hypothesis. It

commences with a brief history of corporations and corporate law (including the vague

concept of ‘international corporate law’). It inquires into the value of in contemporary global

society and its application in the CSR debate. a closer attention is paid to the rise of the

modern corporation. A brief outline is set out of the historical development of the law of

corporations and its impact on the modern global economy. Attention is also given to the

nature and characteristics of the modern corporation and how the subject of CSR has come to

take its place in the study of modern commercial, investment and corporate law. An inquiry

into the development of CSR and its contemporary meaning and acceptance will be

undertaken. The prevalent concepts of CSR and the models developed will be identified. The

international dimensions of the operations of the big corporations will be highlighted.

Importantly, the theories of CSR will be identified and critically examined. This part consists

of two chapters that discuss both the development of the corporate accountability movement

law and its application in modern society.

1.6.3 Part Three: CSR and Regulations and Developing Countries

The concept of ‘responsibility’ and the various efforts to regulate “corporate responsibility”

of corporations internationally will be examined. The role of law in shaping CSR will be

defined in historical perspective. Accordingly, a critical view will be taken, of the utility of

CSR in the present discourse. Relevant historical and contemporary international efforts

developments will be highlighted, for example, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and

Human Rights is reviewed here. There is also an examination of the practices of CSR in

emerging economies. The various applications of CSR and the peculiarities of its

19
development vis-à-vis the developed economies is outlined. This part consists of the third and

fourth chapters.

1.6.4 Part Four: Legislating CSR in Nigeria; Challenges and Opportunities

A chapter is devoted to the recommendations and positions that are informed by this research

with particular reference to Nigeria. Some suggestions on jurisprudential, institutional and

practical issues to facilitate the efficacy of legislation of CSR norms will be made. In

particular, an attempt will be made to answer the question of whether CSR represents a threat

or an opportunity in developing countries given the “business case” argument for CSR.

1.6.5 Part Five: Future Trends – Summation and Recommendations

This chapter concretises and the findings and speaks to the hypothesis. It constitutes a

conspectus of the entire thesis and my prognostications. It outlines the thesis and

recommendations arising from it.

It is my sincere hope and desire that this study brings illumination to the uncharted areas of

the developing trends in developing countries by highlighting the apparent increasing use of

legislation to mandate the practice of CSR.

20
 CHAPTER TWO

Corporate History, Objective and Law

2.1 Introduction

In this chapter, this study is contextualised by noting the nexus between the main concepts

engaged in it. It starts with the historical development of corporate entities from its

unsophisticated early forms, to the emergence of the transnational corporations that

characterise big business as presented in contemporary business. An attempt is made to

answer the question; what’s a business for?42 This question is at the heart of this research, for

only when it is answered in the international and domestic context can the role of corporate

law be considered.

Accordingly, the rationale behind the creation of the modern company is investigated to

identify, in particular, its social benefits. Other purposes for the creation of the modern

company will be identified including making profit and creation of wealth, as these purposes

also form the fundamental objectives of the corporation. The claim of corporate social

responsibility as a subdiscipline is, that the objectives of business are wider than those

conveniently admitted by business; there are social responsibilities beyond keeping the law

and making profits. The dichotomy between the social and legal objectives of business was

popularised by an open debate between Adolph Berle and Merrick Dodd.43 Berle contended

42
Charles Handy, ‘What is a business for?’ in Harvard Business Review on Corporate Responsibility
(Harvard Business School Press, 2003).
43
This debate elicited erstwhile benign issues in corporate law to relative prominence in the early-to-
mid 20th century. One of the foremost commentators who articulated the public interest or quasi-

21
that corporate managers should be protected in their activities which should be only to

promote the interest of the owners of the company being the shareholders.44 Dodd on the

other hand maintained that corporations are a product of the society who may demand that

corporations conduct themselves in the public interest.45 The question that arises is; should

corporate managers be required by law to assume greater fiduciary responsibilities beyond

that of making profits for their shareholders? International law and indeed domestic law of

states, therefore, seeks to delineate the question of what purposes corporations serve in

modern society and how to legalise them? The incursion of law into the arena of corporate

objectives and the wider social responsibility of business has been opposed by business. It is

observed that the influence of law has been ubiquitous when considering the history and

development of corporations despite the contention of business. In international commerce,

the globalisation of corporate operations and the increase in the importance of the

multinational companies has inevitably brought this issue to the fore. Consequently, three

issues are examined principally in this chapter and will be noted as prelude to the

introduction to the formative principles of corporate responsibility and corporate

accountability ideologies in the next chapter.

The final context in which this research is framed is the circumstances of developing

countries and Nigeria in particular. Although, this is more fully covered in Chapters 5 and

Chapter 6. Nigeria is the jurisdiction in which the theories and ideologies noted in this

research will be firmly located. Inescapably, this study will reflect the apparent characteristics

of the Anglo-American free market economic model otherwise called capitalism. This

business model has been particularly exemplified by the vibrant pursuits of the modern

public status of corporations are A.A. Berle and G.C means, the Modern Corporation and Private
Property (Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. 1968, first published 1932).
44
A.A Berle, ‘Corporate Powers as Powers in Trust’ (1931) 44 Harvard Law Review 1049
45
E.M. Dodd, ‘For Whom Are Managers Trustees’ (1932) 45 Harvard Law Review 1145.

22
corporations. In the final analysis, the role of the law in shaping CSR is investigated to

identify whether it is promoting or otherwise of corporate objectives. The history of the

modern corporation will be followed by an examination of the objectives of the corporation,

especially in the modern era. Finally, a brief mention will be made of corporate theory. As

Dennis Patterson put it, “[i]t would be simplistic to see the work of contemporary law and

economics scholars as a single-minded focus on the empirical”.46

2.2 The Modern Corporation and Corporate Law

An incorporated business is essentially a person or persons who invests capital for profit. The

earlier forms of business organisations were fundamentally cooperative human endeavours

such as group hunting, farming, and the “joint and several” appropriation of communal

resources in primitive times. It was the desire to increase the capacity and ability to increase

production by the pooling of talent and capital that brought about the formation of more

complex arrangements. The beginning of the modern corporations that are now unmistakably

notorious around the world, is traceable to business organisations of 16th and 17th Century

Europe. Jem Bendell points out that some European governments created chartered

“corporations were invented at the end of the sixteenth century as a means of managing

colonial trade... to undertake activities that the governors determined to be in the interests of

the state”.47 However, private promotion of corporations is the dominant characteristic of the

world-pervasive Anglo-American model of corporations. The origin of the US free market

oriented corporate law is rooted particularly in the UK.48 In turn, the UK corporations’

46
D Patterson, ‘Introduction’ (eds) Philosophy of Law and Legal Theory (Blackwell, 2003) 4
47
J Bendell, ‘Barricades and Boardrooms- A Contemporary History of the Corporate Accountability
Movement’ (2004) UNRISD Technology, Business and Society Programme Paper No. 13, 7
48
Douglas Beets in ‘Critical Events in the Ethics of US Corporate History’ Journal of Business Ethics
(2011) notes that the early British settlers who founded the United States of America imported the
form of business organisation called ‘corporations’. He implied that the economic prosperity of

23
predecessors have been traced to as far back as in ancient Greece about the 11th century, in

trading communities made up of mainly peasants and sole traders.49 In essence, the modern

corporation was prefigured by the sole trader then by private joint enterprise and this

development was guided by law.50 The Partnership Act 1890 presumed ‘persons carrying on

a business in common with a view of profit’ to have formed a partnership51 except the

proviions of that law was expressly excluded by agreement. Effectively, the risk and liability

invariably reside with the business owner who can be held liable upon his personal

guarantees. The Limited Partnership Act 1907 and the Limited Liability Partnership Act 2000

allow for the ‘limited liability’ of partnerships. An advantage of a sole trader or partnership

business - both which are remarkable for embodying personal services – is the inevitable

rapport between the business owners and the community they serve thereby informally

providing socially responsible services to them. Where there are conflicts or the need to

address poor service delivery, an owner who is well-known in the community will probably

react to it, to the satisfaction or otherwise of the customer. The direct impact of customer

dissatisfaction and risk of reputational damage in a close-knit community would invariably

inform palliative measures on the part of the business owner.52 A further enterprise predicated

on collective venture and known called joint stock companies were formalised into corporate

bodies first in the UK in the 19th century. The turn of the 19th century marked the joint

venturing and the doing of business beyond individualistic endeavour. The pooling of

European corporations was one of the interests of those who explored the continent of North America
in the 16th and 17th century.
49
See N Eberstadt, `What History Tells us about Corporate Responsibility' (Autumn 1973) 7 Business
and Society Review/Innovation 73, 77.
50
Section 7(1) of the Companies Act 2006 ‘one or more persons’ can form a private or public
company, most of the large multinational corporations are formed by several individuals (natural or
artificial) by pooling capital to promote the objects of the company.
51
s. 1, The Partnership Act 1890. See Khan v Miah [2000] 1 WLR 2123 where the court confirmed a
partnership existed even one of the parties does not acknowledge its existence formally. Partnerships
can be formed of unlimited number of partners who are owners of the assets of the partnership.
52
See n31, 77

24
resources to develop the railroad companies that adopted the newly developed steam engine

locomotives gave impetus to the rampant organising of business through collective economic

pursuits through a nexus of agreements.53 This led to the incorporation of companies by

registration, a provision made under the Joint Stock Companies Act 1844. 54 The

incorporation of companies for joint enterrise has continued to be recognised under the

current equivalent lawin the UK – the UK Companies Act 2006 - having undergone some

major reforms over the intevening years. Around this newly established way of organising

private business venture grew an economic theory that expounded on the peculiar benefits of

shareholding in the incorporated companies. The theory called ‘capitalism’ was urgently

espoused; with it was the notion of proportionate ‘dividends’ being the benefit from the

pooled ‘capital’. Two factors were and still are explicatory of their position; first is the

increase in efficiency in the use of factors of production55 and the second is an adjunct to the

first, being the freedom to divert resources to whatever enterprise brought the greater profit

for the capital owners.56 It was further claimed that by adhering to the two tenets i.e.

efficiency in production through pooling of resources and freedom to employ resources based

on the need (supply and demand), that increased production could be achieved with less

resources thereby creating more wealth in the society. John Armour et al. contend that there

53
M. Jensen and W. Meckling, ‘Theory of the Firm: Managerial Behaviour, Agency Costs and
Ownership Structure’ (1976) 3 Journal of Financial Economics 305.
54
For a comprehensive account of company law evolution in the UK see R.R. Formoy, Historical
Foundations of Modern Company Law (1923, Sweet & Maxwell). His account begins from 1600 and
finishes with an introduction of the Companies Act 1908.
55
It is firmly rooted in the study of transactional economics that the benefit of forming business
ventures by more than one individual is to reduce the cost of transacting business. See Ronal Coarse,
‘The Nature of the Firm’ (1937) Reproduced in O. Williamson and S. Winter, The Nature of the Firm:
Origins Evolution and Development (Oxford University Press, 1993).
56
This is more relevant to the modern large corporations which are not managed by a family but
rather a wide range of shareholders as collective owners who have delegated management of the
company to professionals who act on their behalf.

25
are some characteristics “underlying uniformity of the corporate form”57. According to them,

“[t]hey are: legal personality, limited liability, transferable shares, delegated management

under a board structure, and investor ownership”58 which together “make the corporation

uniquely attractive for organizing productive activity”.59

The early incorporated businesses were family run businesses which influenced by the

communal culture and social expectation to ensure that business was conducted in socially

acceptable manner. However, the modern forms of national and multinational corporation are

characterised by more complex and varied ownership structures, and the international

economic landscape is dotted with various types of corporations reflecting cultural

idiosyncrasies. Granting that all free market economies share common traits, some

differences can be observed in the forms of corporations existing in Asia, Western and

Eastern Europe and the US. The point of difference is usually found in the form of corporate

governance structures although the fundamental characteristics of profit maximisation

remains which reflect the extent to which local cultures succumbed to the Anglo-American

model of capitalism.60 It is noted that business has evolved from simple entities to complex

and global phenomenon. Unsurprisingly, the precursors of the large modern multinational

corporation differed in nature and characteristics to contemporary organisations but still

shared some fundamental objectives such as profit making and economic efficiency.

Since the Limited Partnership Act 1907, legal corporate entities have become indispensable

features of a modern economy and their various forms have become pertinent in organising

57
(n 18)1. An extensive discussion was attempted in this book of the so called ‘agency issues’
comprising of transactional relationship between corporate managers and shareholders, intra-
shareholders’ conflict and shareholders and third parties’ interactions.
58
Ibid. Although the writers refrain from arguing for or against convergence of corporate law
globally, their identification of these five common characteristic may be pointing towards some form
of structural commonality that supports the argument of internationalisation of corporate law.
59
(n 21) 6.
60
Christine A. Mallin, Corporate Governance (Third Edition, OUP 2010) 44.

26
economic cooperation for profit and not-for-profit purposes.61 As the uses of corporations

have increased, so have the forms and styles of corporations increased. Moreover, the sizes of

corporations have also increased with the large modern corporation fulfilling an indelible role

in the ever-expanding globalised economy. Corporations now lead in innovations and

technological breakthroughs forcing changes in the way people live and do business. From a

much simpler corporate form based on a small number of owners, the modern multinational

corporation have developed into very complex organisations playing various economic,

social and political roles. The real or perceived roles of large modern businesses has shaped

ideologies and influenced the shaping of modern corporate law. Thus, corporate theories have

not escaped the interest of politicians and social policy makers. The intractable conundrum

posed by the modern big business is identifying its role and the beneficiaries of its existence

in society. As will be seen, it is simplistic to assume that only shareholder-investors are

interested in the operations of corporations as legitimate beneficiaries. It has now become

fashionable (especially in developing countries) to argued that there are other ‘stakeholders’

who may have equally important interest in the operation of corporations. The consideration

of the purpose of corporations, the economic, social and political implications of corporations

in domestically and internationally in societies marked by growing world population,

influences of technological advancement and creative corporate financialisation.

However, the issues of corporate law, has extended beyond the traditional preoccupation of

defining the parameters of corporate formation and governance to the wider issues of human

rights, ecological preservation, business ethics and social responsibility. At some point –

perhaps about the 1950s – more serious consideration was given to the relationship between

business (especially large business) and society generally. Fundamentally, the tension

61
For the various forms of corporate associations and their uses, see: Paul Davies and Sarah
Worthington, Gower & Davies’ Principles of Modern Company Law (9th edn, Sweet & Maxwell
2012) 4 – 8.

27
between corporate law and ethics was subsumed by the wider ideological conflict between

conservative and liberal economists. Since the formation of corporations to their

metamorphosed presentations today, corporate law has evolved with it. The formation and

development of corporate law though largely a matter for national jurisdictions has been

surreptitiously amassing credibility for international relevance. This is largely due to the

implications of globalisation and the transnational operation of MNCs. The spread and

dominance of capitalism as a form of economic ideology has required the oversight of

supranational organisation such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) among others.

History is replete with various debates in which the resilience of these ideologies has been

tested. These two philosophies around which corporate law theories have developed,

dominate corporate law jurisprudence today. Consequently, contemporary domestic law and

international commercial law studies has developed the characteristic legal construction of

the corporate identity. Law has been employed functionally in regulating for the role of

business in society, taking into account the purpose and relevance of corporations in the

modern capitalist economy. While legal issues simpliciter may be easily identified and

located in ‘company law’, CSR may be seen as the discipline interested in the wider moral

issues of business and its contemporary social importance – issues conventionally relevant

social policy and business management. Through legal provisions, the fundamental utility of

corporate law has been to legislate on the constitution, powers and administration of

managers. In doing so corporate law has affected the evolution of various kinds of

corporations in most jurisdictions.

In contemporary business, sole traders and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)

still constitute the majority of businesses in developing and developed countries. They are

commonly financed by personal savings, managed personally by the owner with little or no

formal legal requirements. This is not new; prior to the advent of corporations and corporate

28
law, natural resources in the UK (and many other societies) vested in feudal lords and

sovereigns who appropriated property assets on behalf of the Crown.62 Many modern states

enjoyed identical monopolistic or quasi-monopolistic management of endowments of natural

resources through state-owned corporations as is evidenced in the management of natural

material assets in most states which are exploited under licence of the states as communal

assets. Many developing countries have a form of natural resources from which economic

gain accrues and are thus managed on behalf of the state by state-owned corporations.63

2.3 Multinational Corporations and the Global Economy

The access to wider capital markets by MNCs has provied big corporations opportunities for

transational expansions and production efficiencies. The sole trader and partnership forms of

business organisation were and now are still grossly inadequate to cope with the requirement

for greater capital and diverse skills. Smaller business organisations also lack the

sophisticated managerial abilities needed to run the more complex operations occasioned by

the technological advancement and socio-political complexities that characterised industrial

scale production since the late 20th century. Taking the early 20th century as a departure point

for modern corporate history, some notable historical events resulting in transnational

corporate operations can be noted. Most notable are the two World Wars and the resultant

globalisation following the formation of global political institutions that had facilitation of

trade and international commerce as cardinal tenets. This deliberate political endeavour to

62
Presently, should a company be dissolved in the UK, the assets of the company vest in the Crown,
Duchies of Cornwall or Lancaster as bona vacantia under section 1012 of the Companies Act 2006.
63
The governments of Nigeria, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago among others all
have incorporated state-owned companies that manage natural resources located in their jurisdiction.
It is common for states to retain and exercise the right of compulsory acquisition of land in the public
interest. In Nigeria, the Land Use Act 1978 vests land in the various states in the Governors of those
states who may issue ‘Certificates of Occupancy’ only.

29
achieve peaceful and cooperative existence has been majorly responsible for the expansion of

corporations worldwide in as a deliberate objective for the establishment of the League of

Nations, thereafter the UN, and later the European Coal and Steel Community64. Following

the reduction of war in Europe, other factors in the second half of the 20 th century have

buoyed large corporations. These factors include technological advancement, increased world

population with the attendant increase in demand necessitating supply, the emergence of the

world-wide web and increased availability of funds through proliferated capital markets.

Of all the factors, however, the ramification of what has been described as the ‘fourth

industrial revolution’65 seems to have the farthest reaching consequences and has shaped the

formation of more intricate production methods.66 Furthermore, the formation of the stock

market offered companies the ability to raise practically unlimited amounts of money to

pursue its interests while maintaining their ‘limited liability’ status. This meant that the

success of companies was generally gauged through their share value. Accordingly, the

diverse ownership structure of firms led to the necessary separation of managerial duties from

shareholders. This evolution in turn has led to the rise of the power and importance of

corporate managers in whom the ‘conscience’ of the corporate entity resides, who now

display their influence internationally.

64
The European Coal and Seal Community (ESCS) was formed in 1951 after World War II as
supranational organisation. Its original members who signed its establishing Treaty of Paris in 1951
were Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. This organisation
changed and expanded in shape and purpose to become the foundation for the formation of the
European Economic Community (EC) and the European Union (EU). There were other regional
economic blocs formed around the world within a few decades of the formation of the UN.
65
The “fourth industrial revolution” - also known as Industry 4.0 - refers to the cyber-physical
technological advancement in the methods of production. The first was the use of steam power, the
second electric power and the third the use of computerisation in production processes.
66
Despite controversies regarding the nomenclature to be ascribed to the new technological era, it is
agreed by most commentators that it brings in its wake monumental opportunities for mass production
and how people will live in communities around worldwide.

30
Since the institution of first major legislations like the Limited Liability Partnership Act 1907

dealing with the formation of limited liability firms, several variations of corporate entities

have been invented to meet various other purposes. Entities that do not have investing

members and thus not-for-profit now exist to protect special interests such as social welfare,

religious and other altruistic purposes.67 Invariably, the constitution, purposes and objectives

of the not-for-profit organisations are mainly altruistic and different from the profit

maximising orientation of for-profit corporations in most market oriented economies.

Although the large multinational profit-making corporations are the subject of this research,

the not-for-profit organisations have constituted themselves into a formidable stakeholder

group and advocate vehemently seeking to influence corporate law and practice in socially

responsible paths.

Since the era of the first industirall revlution when steam energy transformed the world in the

18th century, corporate activity has been further characterised by a large number of mergers,

acquisitions and frmation of new large corporations. These corporations have been inspired

by the prospects of large capital to seek monopolistic profits and production efficiencies

through deployment of greater use of technology in large-scale production.68 Although the

national and global commercial setting of the 20th and 21st century is different from that of

the 17th to 19th century when incorporation legislations first came into existence, some

fundamentals remain truism of both eras; profit making, agency control of corporate

management and the supremacy of shareholder interest. In both developed and emerging

economies, the ratio of MNCs generally, and large corporations generally to smaller domestic

67
These are companies formed for charitable purposes under company law legislation but have
special status with different reporting standards from profit-making companies.
68
See generally The Rise of the Corporate Economy Leslie Hannah (The John Hopkins University
Press, 1976) for a full account of the growth of big business in the UK. This book traces corporate
history from early times until early 1970s when it was published. Further reading is recommended for
the period post the date of the book review.

31
companies is significant.69 However, when put together, the domestic companies employ far

greater numbers of employees, etc. than all the MNCs put together and so cannot be absolved

from the discourse. In US and UK, they are acknowledged as significant contributors to the

economy but do not enjoy the same political clout of big business except when constituted

into cooperative entities like the Chamber of Commerce.

The ownership structure of corporations may be playing a part in how the goals of the

corporation are framed; small businesses are closer to their costumer base than big

multinationals whose ownership base is invariabley diverse and somewhat detached. 70 In

terms of their legal persona - by operation of legislation - many notions ascribed to natural

persons have been attributed to incorporated entities. Frank Tuzzolino and Barry Armadi

have suggested that corporations have a hierarchy of needs like natural persons.71

Corporations have other features and rights such as “the right to an indefinite life, the right to

absorb other corporations, the right to sell ownership in itself, and the right to combine with

other corporations to form a larger corporation”72 could not be enjoyed by humans. With the

capability to sue and be sued, albeit it as an unnatural ‘person’, it has been argued that the

burden of responsibilities for social amenities cannot be left to states alone. Consequent to the

legal persona status of the corporation were the rise of certain expectations of corporations to

fulfil its ‘social contract’.

69
In UK, small businesses turned employed 60% of all private sector employment with annual
turnover of £1.8 trillion or 47% of all private sector turnover in 2015. Also, 99.3% of all private sector
businesses were small or medium-sized (SMEs). It should be presumed that this sector includes the
micro businesses hence micro, small and medium-sized (MSMEs) are constituted by sole traders,
small family-owned and run businesses and medium-sized corporations. In Nigeria, the National
Bureau of Statistics confirmed the existence of about 37 million MSMEs employing over 60% of
employees in the private sector.
70
In this regard allusion is being made to the fact that shareholders often are unaware of the decisions
of corporate managers who invest capital on their behalf and so ‘invincible’ to those they service.
71
Frank Tuzzolino and Barry Armadi, “A Need-Hierarchy Framework for Assessing Corporate Social
Responsibility” Academy of Management Review (1981) 21
72
See (n 42) 1

32
A notable argument canvassed in this vein is that many corporations have in their control

more financial resources than some states of the developing world. So, when big corporations

operate in the developing countries, it brings into sharp focus the need for scrutinising the

appropriateness of their activities. Notwithstanding the perceived positive prospects of

injecting Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in developing countries, the analysis of any

excesses of foreign investors by corporate social responsibility advocates is not

inconspicuous. One of the tools used by CSR advocates are CSR indices which are often not

mandatory legislation but soft law instruments with global appeal.73

In the contemporary technologically- driven and fast-paced global economy, the expanding

international frontiers presented by the Internet of Things (IoT) has extended the frontiers of

trade across international borders unconstrained and unrestrained. Previous national and

regional economic boundaries have been blurred by globalised technologically-aided trading

platforms. Concerning academics and policy makers worldwide Jan Scholte notes on the

avialability of interconnectivity that ‘transworld economic governance networks have

provided key channels not only to spread neoliberalism across the planet in the first place but

subsequently also to provide continual reinforcement of the doctrine.’74 The history of UK

corporations in the 20th century according to Leslie Hannah clearly portrays remarkable

“rationalisation” through mergers and the “competitive elimination of rivals” which

characterised the post-war years of the 1920s and 1950s.75 He further contrasted the

preponderance of small private concerns of the Victorian era with the larger corporations of

the 20th century affirming that “industry has witnessed transformation from a disaggregated

73
CSR indices are used to measure corporate activity against certain moral and social parameters in
terms of their investment or other corporate behaviour. The FSTSE4Good launched in 2001 is one of
the most popular indices developed and operational in US, Europe, and Global and in Japan in 2004.
74
Jan Aart Scholte, ‘The Sources of Neoliberal Globalization’ (2005) Overarching Concerns
Programme Paper No. 8 (UNRISD, Geneva) 23
75
Leslie Hannah, The Rise of the Corporate Economy, (Methuen & Co., 1976) 1.

33
structure, of predominantly small, competing firms to a concentrated structure dominated by

large, and often monopolistic, corporations” spurred by “economic growth based on

electricity, the motor cars and chemicals rather than steam, railways and textiles”.76 The part

that technology has played in the growth of MNCs can scarcely be overexaggerated.

2.4 Multinational Corporations and International Corporate History

The desirability for international corporate law was determined by the conspiracy of global

trade and capitalism. With the increase in the number and truly global extent of the operations

of the modern MNCs, the traditional argument in favour of shareholder primacy waned. In its

place, canvassers of capitalism point out that “efficiency” for the benefit of the entire society

- through the unmanipulated market for the means of production - as the principal argument

for promoting the Anglo-American model of capitalism. Many states (and regional economic

blocs) around the world seem to subscribe to the Anglo-American capitalist model with

limited adaptations necessitated by changing capitalist fundamentals and domestic realities.77

It is important not ignore the far-reaching spread of MNCs as an aftermath of the post-World

War II Bretton Woods Conference on globalisation and international trade. Although the

spread of global corporate entities in undeniable, the me cannot be said for an international

monitoring framework.78 In exploring internationally acceptable standards, globalisation has

been regarded a key factor in it acceptability and application. The importance of globalisation

76
ibid
77
See Frank J. Garcia. “The Moral Hazard Problem in Global Economic Regulation.” Presented at the
IALS Conference on The Law of International Business Transactions: A Global Perspective, Bucerius
Law School, Hamburg, Germany, April 10-12, 2008. He argues that capitalism is changing around the
world and that ‘social costs’ which should not be externalised are imperatives for the modern MNC.
78
See Olufemi Amao, “The Foundation for a Global Company Law for Multinational Corporations”
International Company and Commercial Law Review (2010) 275-288. He analyses the convergent
factors that have emerged towards a global solution for the regulation of MNCs.

34
in this context is underscored by the need to identify norms that are entrenched in practices of

business across international boundaries. The serious implications for a global CSR concept

lies in the different manifestations of capitalism from state to state. It also brings to attention

the value of achieving some convergence of thought, purpose and expected outcomes when

applying CSR models internationally. The further establishment of international trade

organisations such as the WTO79 and other multilateral international financial institutions

formed the basis for the integration of states in the international sphere.

At the continental, sub-continental level or other regional and sub-regional level, there is now

a discernible economic organisational model. In Europe there is now a distinct “EC Company

Law”, denoting the emergence of a body of corporate law peculiar to the members of the

European Union (EU)80 states. This occurrence is not limited to Europe as several regional

economic blocs that now litter the international commercial realm have actively pursued

harmonisation programmes in the last century. In Africa, a continent-wide economic

cooperation bloc – The African Union (AU) - was formed originally in 1963 and rebirthed in

2001.81 The African Union (AU) recognises certain regional economic blocs which are

deemed foundational organisations that constitute the subscribing states to the economic

policies under the initiative known as New Partnership for Africa’s Development

(NEPAD).82 As corporations have overreached national boundaries operating internationally,

79
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) was formed on January 1, 1995 as a modernised framework
incorporating modifications to the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) which was
signed in Geneva on October 30, 1947 and came into force on January 1, 1948.
80
In 1994, under a renewed economic integration framework, 15 countries formed an internal market
under the European Economic Agreement (EEA) treaty to promote free trade among its members.
81
The AU was preceded by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) which was established on 25
May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with 32 signatory states. Currently, all African States are
members except Morocco that exited upon the recognition of their rival neighbouring state the
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
82
The following Regional Economic Communities (RECs) are established under separate regional
treaties and recognized by the AU; Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), Common Market for Eastern and
Southern Africa (COMESA), Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), East African

35
institutions and organisations with an interest in global development and international

business practices have immersed themselves in the quest for an internationally acceptable

model for business regulation including CSR issues. Efforts at internationalising the

regulation of corporations can be categorised along the lines of a state’s economic ideologies

and social realities. By extension, as economic and social problems that arise from the

operations of large MNCs traverse national boundaries and become more internationally

widespread, “[t]oo often, CSR is regarded as the panacea which will solve the global poverty

gap, social exclusion and environmental degradation” of the concerned territories.83 Although

many argue that international corporate law has not evolved, it may be argued that certain

remarkable events could have the impact of precipitating this outcome sooner than later. The

pace at which corporations have come under concerted efforts aimed at their regulation will

be the focus in Chapter 4.

In short, from fairly uncomplicated entities and partnerships, today corporations have grown

into gargantuan transnational organisations wielding not only economic power but substantial

political influence also. Although business invariably comprise of a conglomeration of small

trading entities and larger corporations both private and public, it is the MNCs that have

appropriated much political and financial clout. Despite meaningful contributions of small

and medium enterprises to overall global business, their influence remains largely localised.

Community (EAC), Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Economic

Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Intergovernmental Authority on Development
(IGAD), Southern African Development Community (SADC).
83
Marcel van Marrewijk, ‘Concepts and Definitions of CSR and Corporate Sustainability; Between
Agency and Communion’ Journal of Business Ethics, 44 (2003), 96

36
Contrariwise, MNCs wield influence beyond their home borders thus leading to an

identifiable “foundation for a global company law for multinational corporations”.84

2.5. For Who and for What do Corporations Exist?

Having identified that corporations are formed by individuals or other corporations for the

purpose of making profit, any claim by other interest groups to benefits from corporations in

which they have committed no capital demands investigation. Incontrovertible, private for-

profit corporations should be run for the benefit of their owners (the shareholders). However,

other entities – being affected by corporate activities – now make demands of corporations

beyond the keeping of extant laws and making legitimate profits. The arguments identifying

beneficiaries for corporate activities have also suggested the purposes for their existence.

Two vexed questions are therefore inescapable; “who is business for” and “what is business

for”. The first is an important question the answer of which may become clearer, should the

second question be answered in favour of shareholders or society at large.

2.5.1 The beneficiaries of corporate existence

The claim by this group is argued on the basis of wider social responsibilities of corporations.

Those making these claims are shareholders on one hand and the wider society on the other.

The claim that shareholders are entitled to the “fruits of their labour” is hardly arguable. What

is increasingly indefensible is the notion that shareholders have exclusive entitlement to the

benefits of corporations because of their investment. However, due to various impacts of

corporate activities, the ‘supremacy’ of shareholder consideration is being challenged by the

84
See Olufemi Amao, Corporate Social Responsibility, Human Rights and the Law (Routledge 2011)
Chapter 8 for arguments on the probable issues that may enable the formulation of international
company law.

37
need to consider wider social ramifications of corporate operations for which corporations

should be accountable. So, for whom should corporate operations subsist; the shareholders,

the society or both?

Clearly, the identified corporate objective of profit-making does not seem to have changed

since the inception of the corporation. Although the forms of corporate organisations have

grown hanged from sole traders and small partnerships to gigantic international business

organisations, the objective of the corporation has remained primarily the same – to return

profit for capital owners. Secondarily however, stakeholder interests have emerged as equally

important. While stakeholder theorists claim that fulfilling wider social demands is in the

interest of corporate sustainability, however, neoliberalists posit that social responsibilities

are beyond the interest of corporations. Nonetheless, some have proposed a reinvention of

capitalism for the benefit of both shareholders and stakeholders in what has been described as

‘creating shared value’.85 Whatever the persuasion, it would seem that corporate law is

interested in documenting identified norms and conventions. Where rights, duties or

obligations arise, the objective of corporate law legislation should be to facilitate its

protection and observance though recognising that corporate law can only facilitate accepted

corporate objectives.

It has also been canvassed that corporations should be responsive to social needs because

they are memes of the society having attained legal personality by operation of societal

approval through the instrumentality of legislation. Corporations are thus seen as corporate

citizens. Upon this basis, ‘corporate citizenship’ is equated with natural citizenship with the

attendant obligation to be a responsible member of the society. In this vein, corporations are

85
See Michael E. Porter and Mark R. Kramer, ‘Creating shared Value’ Harvard Business Review
January – February 2011. Creating Shared Value (CSV) was distinguished in this article. It is posited
that the distinction made at best can be described as inconsequential to the definition and purposes of
CSR that they are accepted as interchangeable in this study.

38
expected to do all they can to further societal objectives rather than selfish corporate interests.

This view is based on the premise that the corporations should not be allowed to operate in a

way that is counterproductive by causing environmental and other social havoc without

extracting some benefit from it.

Advocates of CSR seemingly impute on businesses the ability and obligation of taking

decisions based on moral conscientiousness; accordingly, the conscience of business being

directed towards doing good in society is imperative. It is clearly claimed that business has

‘conscience’. This notion clearly engages the idea that morality and ethics in business has

become an issue – an idea which is not refutable in contemporary society. It is on this basis

that business is urged to give proper attention to the propagation of ethical practice. Ethics in

business is now more than a fashionable shibboleth. Though the nature of business is that of

an incorporeal entity, its promoters and managers are natural persons.86 Also, in corporate

criminal liability suits, individuals may be held liable for actions carried out in the name of

the corporation. To this extent natural persons behind corporations can be held accountable

for the actions of the corporation; because they enjoy the benefits of forming corporations,

they cannot be exempt from any resulting detriments. The idea of corporate personality

developed to protect corporations or assets owned by jointly by shareholders from creditors

of individual investors. A corporation could thus sue and be sued in its name without

exposing liability to its members. This notion prevails except in the case where the ‘veil’ of a

corporation is broken to pursue individual investors for damages beyond their limited interest

in the corporation. Where this occurs - it should be noted that this is the exception rather than

the rule – it is possible on the basis that corporate liability should be visited vicariously on the

86
Salomon v Salomon & Co Ltd [1897] AC 22. The principle of a separate corporate identity of
companies from their owners (shareholders) has been reinforced in many judgements for over a
century. For recent cases see; Adams v Cape Industries plc [1998] BCLC 44 and MacDonald,
Dickens and Macklin v Costello [2011] 3 WLR 1341. In Prest v Petrodel Resources Limited [2013]
UKSC 34, the U.K. Supreme Court discussed the concept of “piercing” the corporate veil extensively.

39
investor for an act or omission that could be regarded as being in the personal interest rather

than corporate interest even though done in the guise of the corporation. It is not beyond

argument, therefore that corporations are artificial device for the organisation of private

capital for economic production. However, the fundamental aim of corporations to create

wealth for its shareholders was established in Dodge v. Ford Motor Company.87 Classical

capitalists support this position that has not been diminished much in Anglo-American

jurisdictions. This position can be classified as disciples of the Darwinian theory etched with

the principles of demand and supply that determines the distribution of resources according to

the distribution of benefits from the proceeds of production efforts allocated according to

contributions towards production.

2.5.2 The purpose of the corporation

Having identified that both corporations and the society have legitimate expectations to share

in the benefits of corporate activities, Porter and Kramer went ahead to posit that “the

purpose of the corporation must be redefined as creating shared value, and not profit per

se”.88 This proposition acknowledges that the interactions of corporations in the course of

production create effects to both the human community and the physical environment. This

attracts the interest of society in the way in which corporations use resources and how their

by-products are disposed.

As earlier mentioned, with the astronomical increase in corporate power – both financial and

political – the influence of corporations in matters which are beyond economic considerations

have continued to grow. It will seem that corporations have chosen to extend their interest

into social issues. Corporations have done this by innovating and leading research and

87
Dodge v. Ford Motor Company, 204 Mich. 459, 170 N.W. 668 (1919). However, the remark of the
court that "an incidental humanitarian expenditure for the benefit of the employees" is permissible is
not often emphasised.
88
Ibid n? 4.

40
advancement in creating new cultures and social possibilities through medical and cyber-

physical inventions. Social responsiveness is therefore being urged of corporation in several

areas involving human genetics, renewable energy and artificial intelligence for example. So,

should corporations continue unabated exploration to chart new frontiers of human existence

without the restraint of being socially responsible; should the opportunity of profit making

determine their objectives or should social sensitivities? Do private and public law conflict

with regard to the objectives of corporations? Corporations it must be said have maintained

their dominant position in these arguments by deflecting opposition views and lobbying

against the promulgation of legislation against them.89 The nuanced, but yet easily-

decipherable implication for corporate law in the argument on corporate objective, is the

seeming dominance of capitalist ideology aimed at promoting to the exclusion of social

imperatives, an “enabling environment” for business while the ‘invisible hand’ of the forces

of demand and supply determine the deployment of capital for production.

Law has always “caught up” with corporate practice. This reactive rather than proactive

policy strategy of the state at the governance of corporate practice is not anticipatory of the

relevance of corporate objectives. Otherwise, law would rather be directive rather than

reactionary to corporate excesses. Underlying the transformations of corporate law have been

the opposing ideologies of the free market and deregulation of economic enterprise on one

hand and the requirement for controlling the ever-mutating nature of commercial enterprise

and the attendant difficulties posed. The establishment of corporations with the consequential

89
Some social and political issues have gained notoriety for being volatile in the same way as
corporations are protective of their rights to provide goods and services, even against the
preponderance of evidence showing their products are hugely inimical to human existence. The gun
control and gun rights arguments continue as the US and European firearms industry continue to meet
the demand for firearms. The tobacco industry worldwide also continues to produce despite
documented hazards of nicotine consumption and cancer. In the production of antiretroviral medicine,
certain pharmaceutical corporations were indicted in the social media for not making their products
available for the treatment and cure of mostly poor African HIV sufferers.

41
legal rights accorded to them did not come easy. It was the necessary outcome of the need to

organise business to meet certain societal challenges not limited to more efficient ways of

production. The classical economist like Adam Smith90 propounded theories of efficient

production based on the pursuit of private interest which he believed was the best way of

serving society. As for the objective of a private investor he contended that private

enterprise promotes the common public good in an environment with the least state control or

inhibition. The role of the big financial corporations in stabilising the world economy if

previously unappreciated was well-established by the prompt rescue of failing banks in the

western countries.91 Only in January 2016, the British and Dutch governments received the

last tranche of reimbursement valued at billions from Iceland for indemnifying British

depositors.92

The recent financial crisis at the turn of the century therefore required substantial state

financial bailout. The immediate aftermath of the downturn in the economy being low

demand levels, classical Keynesian economists supported state support for ailing banks

through quantitative easing measure. They argued that for the economy to recover, the

growth of the economy was crucial by stimulating a healthy demand for goods and services

and the injection of the crucial but lacking financial means of production. This transformative

90
Adam Smith, An Enquiry into Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations (1776)
91
The government of Iceland resorted to an IMF loan of over $5 billion to finance a budget debt of
2009 and took control of the three largest private commercial banks (Kaupthing Bank, Landsbanki
and Glitnir) guaranteeing deposits as part of efforts to stave off the total failure of its these banks. See
‘Cracks in the crust’ The Economist (Reykjavik, 11 December 2008)
http://www.economist.com/node/12762027.
92
‘After Eight Years, Iceland Reimburses Britain for Icesave Collapse’ The Telegraph (London, 12
January 2016)
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/12096153/After-eight-years-
Iceland-reimburses-Britain-for-Icesave-collapse.html> accessed 30 March 2016. This matter was
heavily debated in Iceland and led to two referenda in which the public rejected the proposal to repay
British and Dutch depositors out of Icelandic public funds. Icesave, a private bank collapsed
following the financial crisis in 2008 with many foreign nationals including British and Dutch losing
their deposits.

42
policy was used by the Anglo-American states as a strategy of halting the slowdown of their

economies and for stimulating the market.

The response by states revealed the part which the society as a whole through state

institutions can play, in supporting private enterprise in the interest of public good. As the

international community seems to be exploring the ways and means of addressing the

obvious predicament the financial crisis and what has been described as “the longest

recession in history”, the critical examination of the characteristics of neocapitalism is

rampant. The current representation of capitalism has been attacked in the face of serial

allegations of corporate managers’ complicity in several high profile corporate collapses.

Some cynics view the current Anglo-American democratic system as being in an immoral

alliance to maintain dominance over the privileged class. This I view of an extremist Marxist

though accepting of that one of the premises of this thesis is accepting of the legitimate

pursuit of wealth through free market structures promoting private enterprise. What is

contestable and indeed challenged in this study is the extent of the role of the law in

determining the boundaries of private and public interest in corporations in respect of their

social responsibilities.

Other reasons than public interest in economic failure aversion has been made in support of

corporations operating for the benefit of society. Another reason is the inadequacy of state

resources when compared with the vast opportunities afforded by corporate financial profile.

Corporations are being asked to step up where states fail or are inadequate financial to

provide social services. The social and environmental effects of business in conjunction with

the economic impact has been described as the “triple bottom line” of business by John

43
Elkington.93 He advocated the calculation of business outcomes not only in terms of

economic value of production but the social and environmental also.

Theodore Levitt writing in 1958 stated that the functions of the government and business are

different in that “government’s job is not business, and business’s job is not government” and

concluded that social welfare consideration are fundamentally under the purview of states.94

Milton Friedman also advocating neoclassical capitalist opinion berated supporters of CSR in

his popular treatise and called them ‘unwitting puppets of the intellectual forces that have

been undermining the basis of a free society’, thereby supporting Elkington. 95 Levitt and

Friedman’s perspectives regarding the creation and distribution of wealth through corporate

enterprise and the promotion of shareholder primacy is now not uncommon. The acclaimed

success of the Anglo-American capitalist model that became prominent after the World War

II supported the wide-spread domination and eventual supremacy of the free market

economic ideology. This fundamentally libertarian rudiments remain visible in most modern

economies. The creation of private wealth they argue will lead to the creation of further

wealth.

2.6 What has law got to do with it?

The contention in respect of the contrasting opinions regarding the purpose of corporations is

sharpened when the issue of its social responsibility is debated in view of the formation of

93
J. Elkington, Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of the 21st Century Business (Capstone,
1997). A wide variety of adaptations can be observed in the use of the principle of the ‘triple bottom
line’ in several studies. In short is portends the calculation of business profit or loss not only in terms
of financial calculations but by considering environmental and social values also.
94
Theodore Levitt, ‘The Dangers of Social Responsibility’ (1958) 36(5) Harvard Business Review 41,
47. Levitt was vociferous in his condemnation of social responsibility of business seeing it as business
going beyond its core mandate and distorting corporate objective.
95
Milton Friedman, ‘The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Its Profits’ New York Times
Magazine (New York 13 September 1970) 32-33

44
legal corporate principles and legislation. Perhaps the division is explicable given the moral

or ethical questions that separates the classical naturalist and positivist legal theorists. The

inclinations of these two groups to well established legal theories disclose their dispositions

on the role of law in corporate matters. The arguments posited by the two main factions argue

over law and its role in wealth creation, social welfare and distributive justice.

2.6.1 The Foundation Principle of Modern Corporate Law

The two schools of thought have shaped the development of corporate law, especially in

Anglo-American jurisdictions. On the one hand corporate law is seen to be purely

interventionist to confirm the outcomes of corporate interactions under a free market

situation. On the other hand, the law is considered an instrument of social engineering

capable of bringing desired social outcomes. Of course, these principles reflect the

shareholder supremacy and stakeholder approach to corporate law and CSR.

Noting the concentration of vast wealth in a few multinational corporations and individuals in

the past century, by the late 20th century, the redistribution of wealth is seen as a major

national and international issue. The global financial market has allowed investors or

“rentiers” to be able to invest in corporations of their choosing in many countries of the world

outside of their country of origin with increased facility for international residence and

mobility.96 The modern shareholders of corporations are pension fund administrators or

private investors of capital who are divorced from the day-to-day running of the corporation

which often highly paid hired managers do on their behalf. By this development the investors

and corporate managers are further alienated from each other. The exercise of social

96
In Bulgaria, non-EU nationals may obtain resident status under Art. 25, Para 1, items 6 or 7, of
Foreigners in Republic of Bulgaria Act. Spain, Malta, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK, US,
Australia, Canada and many other countries have similar provisions has similar provisions. It is
instructive also that economic blocs like the EU all propose free movement of goods, services and
personnel within their respective countries to boost trade, investment and international cooperation.

45
considerations in the management of corporations by corporate managers has been

handicapped by shareholders’ expectation of increasing the share value of the corporation.

Shareholder value therefore is the primary consideration of corporate managers and not social

or environment effects of their operations especially if outside the mandatory fulfilment of

legislation or other compulsory regulation. However, with the undeniable impact of

corporations on the social and physical environment, delineating and apportionment of

responsibilities to it with regard to environmental and social issues understandable. One of

the principles shaping corporate law and by extension the subject of CSR is the notion of

‘responsibility’ itself. This notion will be examined in fuller detail in the next chapter.

It is not a coincidence that the boundaries of the private law of tort was redrawn positively in

favour of one’s ‘neighbour’ in the case of Donoghue v Stevenson97 in the early part of the 20th

century during the time when the full effects of the great depression was being felt. I suggest

this principle is akin to the stakeholder principle of corporate law and supports the concept of

corproate social responsibility. The neighbor principle in corporate law can be construed as a

foundationa principle because it parallels the idea of being responsible for one’s actions in so

far as they affect others. Corproate law delineates duties, obligations, responsibilities and

rights to a myriad of corporate actors; financiers, suppliers, creditors, financial reporters,

corporate governors, customers, shareholders and the state are all consdidered relevant

participants. This is reflected in corporate law and forms the its objective of ensuring

harmonisation of the various interests for the grreater public good. If this principle is purged

from corporate law, what would remain is a draconian and unbalanced regulation of business

relations. Indeed, the fundamental principles of contemporary capitalism is being challenged

on the basis that it is devoid of sufficienct accommodation of the ‘neighbour principle’.

97
[1932] UKHL 100. Delivered on 26 May 1932, this case established the now well-entrenched
‘neighbour principle’ in tort law. It places the responsibility of doing an act or an omission on a
person who does or otherwise an act that may affect another person.

46
Although this case was determined between a consumer and product manufacturer, it has

been extended to many other cases where similar relationship and the ‘duty of care’ existed.

In the final analysis, it is suggested that corporations owe society a duty to care for not only

its owners but also its stakeholders.

2.6.2 International Corporate Law?

It is clear from the inception of corporate entities in capitalist economies, that law has played

a midwifery role. Whether it is by design or default, this role has been to provide a legal and

lawful framework for the conduct of business among the many interest groups interacting in

production cycles – and even beyond. The concept of the modern company is invariably a

legal one and demonstrable by the attainment of legal statuses - ‘private’, ‘public’ or ‘limited

liability’ – by meeting well laid down legal requirements.98 These laws differ from

jurisdiction-to-jurisdiction. This is principally due to the fact that corporations have identities

in law in which they can sue and can be sued. Corporations are also initiated upon the

issuance of a certificate of incorporation by the jurisdictional authority of the ‘home state’ in

which they are incorporated. Once duly registered corporations can operate in a ‘host state’

thereby operating transnationally. An American company can therefore do business in

another country.99 It has been proposed that MNCs should be designated status of

international citizenship such as are borne by domestic corporations to make them more

98
For example, The Companies Act 1907 that applied in England and Wales was the first to make a
distinction between ‘private’ and ‘public’ companies. Prior to this time, all companies were registered
with limited liability under the Companies Act 1862 -1900. See Denis Fox and Michael Bowen, The
Law of Private Companies (Sweet and Maxwell 1991) 1.
99
It is not uncommon to find states to subject corporations in excepted sectors of the economy to
conform to further set of rules. Publicly quoted companies are subject to further corporate governance
regulations which small private companies may not be required to comply with. Specialised
businesses such as in oil and gas, engineering or medical fields may be subject to professional
certifications.

47
suitably ductile to an international regulatory regime, this suggestion has not materialised.100

This is because, non-state parties are usually unrecognised in international law although it is

based on the principle of the ‘comity of nations’ and reciprocity. The development of

international law where corporate entities will be parties thereto is in direct conflict with the

traditional international law principles.

Notwithstanding the rise in the number of companies that are engaged in cross-border

transactions, there is no international registry of companies and no international authority

multilateral agency that issues or maintains a register of international companies. In this

regard, companies are lie natural persons; they are ‘born’ or incorporated with a national

identity but can transact internationally. Without a central international authority, states have

developed domestic corporate law to suit their national needs. There is therefore, no

international corporate law.

However, in the internationals sphere the desirability for an international body or regulation

authority has been gradually converging. A body of rules and regulations have been

developing out of international business norms. The norms in turn were the result of shared

prospects and challenges of doing international business. In the case of large corporations,

there seemed to be no shortage of finance and influence required to propagate their interests

in international forums.

The utility of law as a tool for the development of intenational corporate law is in its value for

articulating emerging norms. The evolution of public international internatinal law was

supported principally by the organs of the United Nationas after World War II. John Ruggie

noted in his Report to the Human Rights Council of the U.N. that;

100
Amao (n 2) 274.

48
The issue of business and human rights became permanently implanted on the global policy

agenda in the 1990s, reflecting the dramatic worldwide expansion of the private sector at the

time, coupled with a corresponding rise in transnational economic activity. These

developments heightened social awareness of businesses’ impact on human rights and also

attracted the attention of the United Nations.101

This report confirmed a new dimension in corporate law studies; the entwining of human

rights issues with corporate behaviour. Issues regarding land acquisition, workers’ health and

safety rights, cultural rights etc. have been engaged in conjunction with corporate activity

especially on the global arena.

As a means of finding inventive ways to hold corporations to account internationally, there is

a growing influence and usage of the principle of ‘extraterritoriality’. When invoked, this

principle allows national courts to adjudicate over issues beyond its shores or over foreign

citizens under international law. In US, the extraterritoriality principle is provisioned in the

Alien Tort Claims Act (ACTA).102 ACTA has been used in a few US cases with limited

success. The flexibility and versatility of this system has disclosed some potential for its wide

adoption. This is a welcome development for human rights activists but is arguably against

the conventional international law principles of territorial integrity and the sovereignty of

independent states. With increased outsourcing of production processes by companies and

complex transitional activities, framing widely- accepted international regulation may be an

elusive task. Extraterritoriality affords states a means of holding MNCs accountable for

human rights and other violations outside their territories.

101
John Ruggie was appointed the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the issue of
human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises in 2005. His work
culminated in the ‘Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United
Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework’ published in 2011.
102
Alien Tort Claims Act (ACTA), 28 USC§1350

49
The corporate law of states though well-established generally, often contain ‘default

provisions’.103 These provisions outline general terms and clauses which are required to

create the minimum content of provisions to qualify application for registration. It is usually

up to applicant and company promoters to adopt or adapt these provisions. The variations in

these provisions is a source of divergence for the collation of generic international law

regulations. Furthermore, a substantial number of business transactions are left unregulated

and subject to private contractual preferences. Despite the peculiarities of different legal

systems, certain characteristics are universal to big multinational corporations.

2.7 Theories of Corporate Law

Generally, ‘dualism’ and ‘monism’ have been identified as theories of international law when

faced with national law.104 Dualism emphasises the difference between international law and

national law and accentuates their difference. On the basis of this doctrine, international law

and national law are different. Monism on the other hand, “postulates that national and

international law form one single legal order, or at least a number of interlocking orders

which should be presumed to be coherent and consistent”.105 In view of the increasing

subscription of nations to international treaties in order to achieve cooperation in all spheres

of life, not the least in economic cooperation, through many economic treaties, a convergence

of national and international can be observed. States are constantly under pressure by others

to adopt “international best practice” in economic and financial activities. The transaction of

business using “international” currencies like the US dollar and British pound sterling

influence this convergence. Similarly, the influence of “international” ratings agencies such

103
Reinner Kraakman et al. The Anatomy of Corporate Law (2nd edn, OUP 2009) 20
104
James Crawford, Public International Law (8th edn Oxford, 2012) 48
105
Ibid.

50
as Moody, Fitch and Standard and Poor’s106 portend standardisation in international financial

markets and the global economy.

Philosophically, some legal theories can be identified as influencing the development of

international law as far as the regulation of corporations are concerned. The doctrines of

natural law as expressed in human rights law is gaining importance in discussions on in

international corporate law. Although human rights law is predominantly enforced nationally,

the rights of people whether as individuals or collectively as non-political groups is gaining

significance. Theories of political economy have also become relevant in international law

discuss. Since the two World Wars in the first half of the 20th century, a technological race

distinctively marked by the space programmes of Western and Eastern powers has led to the

factionalisation of global politics into two major camps with competing economic ideologies.

The Western powers championed the capitalist system while the eastern ideology was

socialism. In what can be termed “soft power diplomacy” the Western ideology was exported

to the English-speaking countries that gained independence from Great Britain mainly. The

Anglo-American model of business organisation was easily extendable to the new states who

maintained close trade, diplomatic and cultural ties with their colonisers. The political lines

drawn then are largely maintained today with insubstantial deviations.107 Invariably,

international law is being dominated still by these economic inclinations which is influencing

in turn the development of international law. The sphere of international corporate law is no

106
These three (called the “big three”) control about 95% of the markets, dictating the credit
worthiness of companies, debt instrument issuers, states and their financial instruments by scoring
them against set parameters. Organisations and other states take the ratings into account when
deciding the how to interact with the relevant companies or state in financial dealings.

107
The political influence of the UK and US today over English-speaking West African and some
Caribbean states on the one hand and that of France over the French-speaking states. The French
colonial – and later foreign and international relations - policy with post-colonial nations is based on
‘assimilation’, tending towards a global French cooperative cultural bloc. The British colonial policy
was based on the principle of ‘association’ that guaranteed eventual autonomy.

51
exception; consequentially, politico-economic theories of corporate law have developed

along capitalist and communist ideologies as typified by the teachings of Adam Smith and

Karl Marx.108

Despite the polarisation, new issues such as climate change, international human rights and

international money markets are forcing a convergence of ideologies. The suggestion that the

sole function of corporate law is to provide the legal platform for those who provide the

capital for corporate venture to realise their dividends and that for corporate law to do

otherwise will be to defeat the purpose of corporate existence is simplistic.109 This is because,

there are many issues that traverse national boundaries which implicate corporations

transnationally and in an environment of many constituents. Corporate law should represent

different interests and objectives despite their universal interest in the sustainable existence of

the corporation from which they all segments of society derive their benefits.

2.8 Summary

It is apparent that a circuitous argument emanates upon the consideration of the intertwining

relationship between the society and corporations. At least, it is clear that corporations were

established by legislation as having special artificial legal persona. This means it is a state

creation. On the other hand, corporations having evolved into the most significant

instruments for productive activities under the auspices of the free market economy ideology

have sought to maintain independence of regulation whilst increasingly have effect on human

108
Karl Marx argued that states should be run in the interest of all and not as he argued – was being
run in the interest of the upper class. He contended in his well-known book The Communist Manifesto
(1848) that the upper class controlled all the means of productions and did not operate in the interest
of the society but were motivated by selfish interests.
109
Frank H. Easterbrook and Daniel R. Fischel, The Economic Structure of Corporate Law (New
Edition, Harvard University Press, 1996)

52
existence socially and environmentally, on a global scale. As the global practices of

corporations have international import, questions have been asked of corporations and how

they can be regulated both national and internationally. That while this was not evident

during its emergent stages, as now constituted corporations and the free market principles that

now exist serves as the main engine for economic growth and wealth creation. I submit that

the constituent actors in international corporate operations are interdependent beneficiaries.

They depend on each other for corporate existence while pursuing their interests.

Finally, it can be observed that it is the relationship between the various actors of corporate

transaction that corporate law seeks to serve. This will be the point of departure for

investigating the issue of corporate ethics in governance and the related demand for

accountability. Therefore, with an understanding of the historical development of

corporations, the socio-economic objectives of corporations in modern business and the

response in corporate law, in the next chapter, focus will be on the development of CSR as a

discipline in law. The discussion will also be on the contemporary issues giving rise to CSR

models.

53
 CHAPTER THREE

Corporate Social Responsibility and Accountability

3.1 Introduction

Having considered in the previous chapter the history of corporate law and the theories

developed around the modern corporation, in this chapter, the modern historical map of the

corporate accountability movement will be discussed. The modern beginnings of the demand

for the moral responsibility of corporations will be identified from its inchoate and incoherent

beginnings to the organised movement that it has become.

Of course, the various actors and factors that have influenced the development of CSR as it is

today will receive due and appropriate mention in identifying the ways in which corporations

are being held ‘accountable’. In this regard, different nomenclatures have emerged in the

development of CSR. Some have gained more prominence than others leading to the adoption

of some over others. In adopting changing names and capricious descriptions of the issues

within the purview of the subject, some confusion has arisen in respect of a consensus

definition of CSR. So, different nomenclatures have been ascribed to different overlapping

notions of corporate-societal engagement in terms of liability for yet indefinite issues.

This chapter is also dedicated to the historical developments leading to the construction of the

subject – Corporate Social Responsibility. Although there is hardly a field of the humanities,

arts or social sciences that has only one definition for social concepts, the paradigm of

definitions encountered in the study of CSR is very wide indeed. Votaw is reputed to have

said “The term [corporate social responsibility] is a brilliant one; it means something, but not

54
always the same thing, to everybody”.110 In the study of CSR, therefore, the words

“responsibility”, “sustainability” and “accountability” have been very visible and receives

attention in this chapter. In some subtle way, each has earned separate implications, but yet in

a subtler way, they disclose allusion to a common assertion.

One feature that has biased the definition of CSR is the Anglo-American free market system

in which it was first studied. It presupposed that CSR is mainly a philanthropic gesture by big

corporations and so outside the legitimate pursuit of established legal order and certainly

beyond legislation. With the legislation of CSR and the mandatory requirements imposed by

law, there is apparently a need to reconceptualise and redefine the subject. I therefore attempt

a definition of my own in this chapter.

3.2 The Corporate Accountability Movement – the beginning?

A doctrine immanent in classical economic theory as enunciated by Adam Smith is that

corporations are organised to make a profit for the owners.111 In making profit, modern

corporations seek the most efficient way of producing their goods and services with

shareholder value a priority. A corporation that does not make profit eventually folds up.

These objectives (profit making and continuous corporate existence) are not disagreeable to

states or the citizens who depend on corporations principally for tax revenues and

employment respectively. It follows that even in neoliberal societies, the interest of

corporations, the state and citizens correspond as far as the continuous existence of

110
D. Votaw, ‘Genius Became Rare: A Comment on the Doctrine of Social Responsibility Pt. 1’
(1972) 15(2) California Management Review 25, 25.
111
Andrew Skinner (ed), Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations Books I – III (Penguin 1999). This is a
contemporary edition of the classical work providing modern day perspectives to the archaic context
prevalent at the time of the writing of the original text. Of course, this edition also retains all the
original text in the period language used in writing it.

55
corporations are concerned. In the search for the cheapest cost of production and profit

maximisation, corporations have indulged in many acts which call into question whether they

serve a wider public interest or not. Questions also arose about the boundaries of corporate

responsibility and whether it goes beyond keeping the law or not.

Beginning from the 20th century as a departure point, questions regarding the extension of

corporate responsibility to wider societal issues became rampant as a result of some notable

case involving big corporations in US. The accountability movement responded to the

clamour for greater regulation of corporate activity by advocating holding companies to

sanctionable standards for activities capable of debilitating human rights, social development,

economic growth and the environment. This movement advocated for standards and measures

against defaulting companies through regulations. This group focused heavily on

environmental issues arguing that conservation of the earth and its resources was vital to the

sustainability of the planet and needed to be preserved from the destructive activities of

increasing economic activities.

In the last few decades, several corporate scandals have increased public interest in CSR. The

case of Nike, a major US corporation producing clothes and shoes in Asia brought the matter

to the fore in the late 1990s.112 Nike was reportedly operating production facilities (popularly

called sweatshops) since the 1970s. It has been alleged that corporations (such as Nike)

moved from China and Taiwan to Bangladesh and other Southeast Asian countries when the

cost of labour and regulation increased, in a bid to find cheaper cost of labour and weak

regulatory environment. The question has not gone away and is more pertinent today with

112
Simon Birch, ‘How Activism Forced Nike to Change its Ethical Game’ The Guardian (London, 6
July 2012) Nike was the bestselling sportswear company in the 1990s was considered to be in in its
ascendancy before the revelations of poor conditions overseas emerged. Nike denied the early report
but had to retract the denials and accept responsibility when coverage of its activities increased.
<https://www.theguardian.com/environment/green-living-blog/2012/jul/06/activism-nike> accessed
15 January 2016.

56
2013 headlines reading “Bangladesh factory building collapse kills nearly 100”113

Furthermore, the vigorous exploitation and commodification of natural resources in oil rich

developing countries by large multinationals also led to the exertion of corporate power in

newly emergent states such as Brazil, Venezuela, Nigeria, Angola and Equatorial Guinea. A

string of unfavourable consequences for the host communities trail the explorative and

exploitative activities of IOCs which often destabilised the host communities socially and

economically. Over many decades of operations, the impact of the oil companies cannot now

be discussed in isolation from the wellbeing of their host communities. These events among

other led to a consistent call for stricter state regulation of corporation despite the firm

entrenchment of capitalism. The argument that corporate objective would not be

compromised by further regulation of business began to be mooted. Considering, therefore,

the issues leading to the corporate accountability movement as veridical and not merely

illusory, the perspective of stakeholders is appreciable. A mantra which could have

demonstrated the mood of early stakeholder theorists was “if it is good for society, it is good

for business and if it is good for business it is good for society” – a marriage of convenience

between societal and business objective had to be developed. The conceptual arrangement

that had been called by many names came to be known as corporate social responsibility.

It is imperative to bear in mind that the progression of the theories and models of CSR have

evolved and continue to evolve from its antecedent forms to the contemporary theories and

practices will be explored. Nicholas Eberstadt maintained that the “full significance of the

corporate responsibility movement cannot be seen without reviewing history”. 114 This is

important because the different actors, such as corporate managers and civil society

113
Serajul Quadir and Ruma Paul, ‘Bangladesh factory building collapse kills nearly 100’ Reuters
(Dhaka, 24 April 2013) <http://www.reuters.com/article/us-bangladesh-building-
idUSBRE93N06P20130424> accessed 13 October 2015.
114
Nicholas Eberstadt, ‘What History tells us about Corporate Social Responsibilities’ (1973) 7
Business and Society Review 76, 77.

57
organisations (CSOs), have presented changing concepts of CSR in the course of time.

Accordingly, special mention is intended of the contribution of Civil Society Organisations

(CSOs115) in the corporate accountability ‘movement’ especially in developing countries

later.116 It is trite to say that the contemporary CSR ideology of corporate accountability has

been championed mainly by CSOs and non-state actors around the world. These

organisations have become critical actors in the CSR debate. Often, they are voluntary first

responders in emergency situations.117 Before setting out the historical development of CSR

and its changing moulds, it is important to define of corporate responsibility and its scope.

3.3 The Historical Development of Modern CSR

In the contemporary study, however, events such as the Depression of the early 20 th century

and the attendant global financial meltdown prompted the development of various theories in

economics, political economy and social justice. In the recovery that followed, there emerged

greater financial dynamism and intense merging of corporations into transnational entities.

Several theories also emerged aimed at explaining the phenomenon whereby business met

other obligations outside of profiteering began to proliferate. As corporations developed from

simple partnerships into complex multinational and transnational conglomerates that exist

nowadays, the prominent theories and models have been developed in parallel.118 Taking

115
This term is used interchangeably with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as all CSOs are
invariably NGOs and vice versa.
116
In general, any advocacy for holding business answerable can be called an “accountability
movement”, thus ‘corporate social responsibility’ is one of the ‘accountability’ movements.
117
An example of this is the recent oil spillage in the World Heritage Site in Bangladesh. See news
report on the World Heritage Convention news page: ‘Serious concern for oil spill in the Sundarbans,
Bangladesh’ 18 December 2014, <http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1209/> accessed 20 January 2016.
118
Many contributors to CSR literature have taken a historical approach in understanding the
developmental stages of the concept and issues associated with it. See Archie Carroll, (n6), Crane et
al., The Oxford Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility (OUP, 2006), Nicholas Eberstadt,

58
1950 as a departure point, the historical development of contemporary CSR is examined

below.119

3.3.1 Pre-1950 history

Although Nicholas Eberstadt has traced CSR practices farther back and to be as “old as our

civilization”.120 He further observed that punishments like ostracism existed for “immoral

business practices” but that “social pressure, however, rather than the threat of punishment,

seems to have directed the businessman”.121 He concluded that “[t]here was no doubt in the

Greek citizen’s mind that business existed to serve the public”. 122 Eberstadt made similar

assertions regarding what he termed “The Medieval Period, 1000–1500A.D.”, “The

Mercantile Period, 1500-1800” and “The Industrial Period, 1800-1930”.123

However, from the 1950s, the definitions of CSR contemporary CSR has been described by

many as “old wine in new bottles”; it is seen as an old concept that is taking on new names

and descriptions.124

3.3.2 1950s – Embryonic development of concepts

Although academic writings on the subject of CSR date back earlier than the 1950s, this

period is regarded as marking the genesis or embryonic stage of the production of CSR

‘What History tells us about Corporate Social Responsibilities’ (1973) 7 Business and Society Review
76.
119
See generally: Rosamaria C. Moura-Leite & Robert C. Padgett, ‘Historical background of
corporate social responsibility’, (2011) 7 (4) Social Responsibility Journal 528, for a historical
perspective on the development of CSR from the 1950s. See also Archie Carroll, ‘Corporate Social
Responsibility: Evolution of a Definitional Construct’ [1999] Business and Society 268.
120
Eberstadt, (n7) 77
121
Ibid
122
Ibid
123
Ibid, 78
124
Denise Baden and Ian Harwood, ‘Terminology Matters: A Critical exploration of Corporate Social
Responsibility Terms’ Journal of Business Ethics (2013) 615, 616. In this paper, they suggest that any
future terminologies proposed in relation to “ethical/socially responsible/sustainable business” should
have certain attributes. See ibid, 624.

59
literature in terms of a distinct subject. The book Social Responsibilities of the Businessman

by Howard R. Bowen in 1953125 has been regarded as the seminal literature in the study of

the modern concept of CSR by Carroll who opined that Bowen should be designated the

“Father of Corporate Social Responsibility”.126 The history of the social responsibilities of

business in the course of their “business” dates far before the work of Bowen. Some scholars

have argued that corporate social responsibility (CSR) was birthed in the United States in the

19th century with John D. Rockefeller, John Cadbury, John H. Patterson and Dale Carnegie

noteably the early practitioners. The activities were mainly centred around employee welfare

and philanthropic gestures to the local communities in which their successful businesses

operated. Peter Drucker, writing in 1954 maintained that public good (during this period) was

a legitimate consideration for business – again sustaining the presumption of voluntarism and

self-imposed limitations by corporations on their social activities.127

Carroll having identified United States of America (US) as the epicentre of the social

responsibility movement due to it having the most developed free market capitalist economy

identified major developmental milestones in the study of contemporary CSR.128 Carroll’s

interrogation of the epistemology of the definition and nomenclature of CSR notes the

influences that have come to bear on the discipline. The terminology used during this period

was simply ‘social responsibility’ of business. Carroll also observed that the book of Morrell

Heald titled The Social Responsibilities of Business: Company and Community, 1900-1960129

covering this period as providing “an interesting and provocative discussion on the theory

125
H.R. Bowen, Social Responsibilities of the Businessman (Harper and Row, New York, 1953)
126
Archie Carroll, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility: Evolution of a Definitional Construct’ [1999]
Business and Society 268, 270.
127
Peter Drucker, The Practice of Management (Harper and Row, New York, 1954)
128
Archie Carroll, (n5)
129
See Morrell Heald, The Social Responsibilities of Business: Company and Community, 1900-1960
(Case Western University Press, 1970).

60
and practice of CSR during the first half of the twentieth century”. 130 This period was rather

investigative of the acts of business and the identified practices which were developing with

theoretical explanations. This can be described as the early stage of the study and inquiry of

modern CSR.

3.3.3 1960s – Defining the boundaries.

During this period, it would seem the boundaries of expectations of business required

demarcation. Carroll mentioned Keith Davis as a prolific writer on the subject who attempted

to define “social responsibility” “more accurately” mainly from the managerial perspective as

“business decision and actions taken for reasons at least partially beyond the firm’s direct

economic or technical interest”.131 Carroll further cited the work of William C. Fredrick who

wrote;

Social responsibility in the final analysis implies a public posture toward society’s economic

and human resources and a willingness to see that those resources are used for broad social

ends and not simply for the narrowly circumscribed interests of private persons and firms.132

Frederick’s definition is important in that it acknowledges inherently that the purpose of

business was a common good and a matter of public interest. It identifies the objective of

business as “broad social ends” while social responsible is at least one of the means of

achieving it.

130
Archie Carroll, (n5), 270
131
Archie Carroll, (n5), 271 citing Keith Davis, “Can business afford to ignore social
responsibilities?” California Management Review 2 (1960) 70-76, 70. Davis argued that business can
benefit profitably in the long run from socially responsible behaviour when they deploy their “social
power”
132
Archie Carroll, (n5) citing William Frederick, “The growing concern over business responsibility”
California Management Review 2 (1960) 54-61, 60

61
Carroll then regurgitated the definition of Clarence Walton in Corporate Social

Responsibilities.133 Walton commented that voluntarism and not conversion was essential to

businessmen maintaining social responsibility agenda and concluded that;

In short, the new concept of social responsibility recognises the intimacy of the relationships

between the corporation and society and realises that such relationships must be kept in mind

by top managers as the corporation and the related groups pursue their respective goals.134

From the foregoing some limitations can be observed when compared with the practice of

CSR today; voluntarism and self-motivation are distinctive characteristics of this era.

3.3.4 1970s – Multiplication of definitions but CSR dominates

Attempts at defining CSR increased in intensity in the 1970s though largely following the

theme of the previous decade. A considerable volume of publications can be found in this

period. In one of his short but influential publications Dow Votaw in 1972 wrote, suggesting

the ongoing solidification of the subject without possible reversion by stating that social

responsibility for business was “more than a superficial reaction to temporary social

pressure”.135 Carroll also noted the works of Harold Johnson who presented various

definitions.136 Some research conducted in this period influenced understanding of the state

of knowledge, acceptance and practices of business in the 1970s. 137 It would seem that it was

in this period that the term “Corporate Social Responsibility” supplanted other competing

notions of the subject.

133
Clarence Walton, Corporate Social Responsibilities (Wadsworth) 1967
134
Archie Carroll, (n5) 272 citing Clarence Walton, Corporate Social Responsibilities (Wadsworth)
1967, 18
135
D. Votaw, (n1), 28
136
Archie Carroll, (n5) 273-275 citing Harold Johnson who in his book Business in the Contemporary
Society: Framework and Issues (Belmont, CA, Wordswoth 1971) formulated the four definitions he
termed “conventional wisdom”, “long-run profit maximisation”, “utility maximisation” and
lexicographic view of social responsibility”.
137
The Opinion Research Corporation

62
Carroll presented further the contributions of Sethi, which followed Votaw, to the debate in

the mid-1970s.138 Sethi in 1975 tried to distinguish “social obligation”, “social responsibility”

and “social responsiveness” and the range of corporate social performance. He maintained

that while social obligation required companies to do what was beyond the law and economic

imperatives, social responsibility imposes normative values that companies are expected to

respect. He opined that social responsiveness is either preventive or anticipatory corporate

behaviour to social needs.

The research of Bowman and Haire published in 1975 focused on the practices of companies

that could be termed as socially responsible without suggesting a definition.139 The attempt

by Preston and Post on the other hand to substitute the word “social responsibility” with

“public responsibility” to stress the wider public policy process instead of the limiting

concept of individual ethical standard failed.140 In 1976, Sandra Holmes without suggesting a

definition of CSR delved into corporate managerial perceptions of CSR and the financial

implications of their activities.141 In 1979, a research of the disclosures contained in the

annual reports of Fortune 500 companies by Abbott and Monsen experimented at rating

corporations according to their performances in a “social involvement disclosure”. 142 Again,

the credibility of this research is dwindled by its bias in not balancing the perspective of those

serviced.

138
Archie Carroll, (n5) 279 - 280
139
E. H. Bowman and M. Haire, “A Strategic Posture Towards Corporate Social Responsibility”
[1975] 18 California Management Review 45.
140
L. E. Preston and J. E. Post, Private Management and Public Policy: The Principle of Public
Responsibility (Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1975) 102
141
S. L. Holmes, “Executive Perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility” Business Horizons
(1976) 34
142
See W.F. Abbott and R.J. Monsen, “On the Measurement of Corporate Responsibility: Self-
reported Disclosures as a Method of measuring Corporate Social Involvement” (1979) 22 Academy of
Management Journal 501.

63
Carroll added his voice to the debate at the close of that decade when he stated that CSR

comprised of “the economic, legal, ethical and discretionary expectations that society has of

organisations at a given point in time”.143

Nevertheless, the writing of this period has not escaped criticisms for being mostly

interpretative of the managerial view. Some definitions constructed in this period perceiving

CSR to be business’ attempt at solving social problems caused wholly or partly in the course

of doing business are unacceptable for being too narrow.144 Business does not only need to be

solving problems that are related directly or indirectly to its activities. Any act of business

centred on meeting normative expectations of society should pass as socially responsible.

Further to this, philanthropy and voluntarism characterised corporate activities with

beneficiaries having little more than an expectation from business. Businesses were seen as

“untouchables” that needed to be appeased by the government at all times. It is rare to find

literature arguing legal prescription of CSR activities in this period.

3.3.5 1980s – Research proliferation and ownership struggles

With business managers and scholars coming to terms with the concept of CSR, the 1980s

witnessed the struggles to ‘own’ the subject. Thus, management scholars signified their

position by reinforcing their claiming based on the largely unchallenged authority of

corporate managers to deploy resources for CSR activities whimsically. The voluntary

submission of corporate managers to CSR objectives was still held sacrosanct by dominant

capital economists who emphasised the imperative of refraining from shackling business.

143
Archie Carroll, “A three-dimensional Conceptual Model of Corporate social performance”
Academy of Management Review 4 (1979) 497
144
See Gordon H. Fitch, “Achieving Corporate social responsibility” Academy of Management
Review (1976) 38

64
Thomas Jones maintained that CSR was a process and ‘the obligation must be voluntarily

adopted’.145 This notion still excluded any impetus on business to act for the common good.

On the contrary, pressure groups sought higher regulation of business activities and greater

commitment to social issues by formulating a “win-win” formula that portends profitability

for business while pursuing CSR objectives. The possibility of socially responsible firms

operating with financially profitability was explored in some scholars like Peter Drucker

argued that business should see social engagement as an opportunity to make profits rather

than philanthropy and linked profitability with responsibility. 146 Others undertook empirical

studies given the growing interest at the time on operationalising CSR which led to the use of

a reputation index to measure CSR. Some scholars developed denominative measurements

and models for assessing CSR engagement of firms and possible financial gains 147 while

others developed definitions that admitted of the expected responsiveness of business to

social issues. Therefore, Edwin Epstein in 1987 proposed that;

Corporate Social Responsibility relates primarily to achieving outcomes from organizational

decisions concerning specific issues or problems that (by some normative standard) have

145
See Archie Carroll (n6) 284 citing Thomas Jones, “Corporate Social Responsibility; Revisited,
Redefined” California Management Review (1980) 59
146
Peter Drucker, “The New Meaning of Corporate Social Responsibility” California Management
Review 26 (1984) 53, 62.
147
P. L. Cochran and R. A. Wood, “Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance”,
Academy of Management Journal 27 (1984) 42. This particularly interesting in that it would serve a
highly persuasive factor to corporate managers of the capitalist orientation to ‘invest’ in CSR
programs should spending in this regard be termed “profitable”. This will then become justification
for ‘spending’ which is pursuant to the profit-making goals of the corporation. See also, K. Aupperle,
A Carroll and J. Hatfield, “An empirical investigation of the relationship between Corporate Social
Responsibility and Profitability” Academy of Management Journal 28 (1985) 446

65
beneficial rather than adverse effects on pertinent corporate stakeholders. The normative

correctness of corporate action has been the main focus of corporate social responsibility.148

The interesting aspect of CSR in this era is the allusion that corporate responsiveness is

directed by social issues or problems. This has now become a common feature of

contemporary CSR – corporations take direction from public interest in issues which need

corporate involvement. In short public opinion became much more important during the

1980s.

3.3.6 1990s – More varieties of the same?

Increasing information and communication technology (ICT) advancements played a huge

role during this period. It enabled more “voices” to be heard on the debate. The newly

emergent social media sites have been appropriated to expand the extent of reach for groups

and individuals wanting to partake in the debate alike. With various brands of CSR and

extrapolations having been considered in previous years, the 1990s lacked any substantially

novel idea in defining CSR.

The work of notable scholars built on premises identified in previous works. 149 One idea that

developed with some acceptance in this period was ‘corporate citizenship’.150 By the end of

this period in 2000, the concept of global corporate citizenship was well defined assigning

social responsibility to corporations akin to natural persons. Post was an influential writer

who stated that:

148
Archie Carroll, (n6) 288 citing Edwin Epstein, “The Corporate Social Policy Process: beyond
Business Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Corporate Social Responsiveness”. California
Management Review 29 (1987) 99, 104.
149
See Archie Carroll (n6) 289-290
150
For a discussion on corporate citizenship see: Grahame F. Thompson, ‘Global Corporate
Citizenship: What Does It Mean?’ (2005) 9 (2) Competition and Change 131

66
Businesses are citizens, whether or not they want to be, and global companies are global

corporate citizens. Firms can choose to be active or passive in their behaviour, and

constructive or destructive in their relationship to society. Whatever course their leaders

chart, corporations will be judged for what they do and how they do it.151

This term is not being used as frequently as CSR but interchangeably. On 10 September

2015, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca of Malta while launching the Corporate

Citizenship for Responsible Enterprises Association, noted that, ‘In general, a new code of

conduct is emerging, based on collaboration, tolerance and respect of diversity, which

ascertains the limits of market mechanisms based on free competition’.152

Clearly, this period witnessed a clearer and broader definition of CSR with the popular

acceptance that the responsibility of business goes over and beyond making profits and

obeying the law. Corporate objectives were more aligned to social objectives generally.

3.3.7 2000 – present: A New CSR ideology?

By the beginning of the present century, the volume of academic literature on CSR had

grown ‘far beyond the capacity of anyone to absorb’.153 With the passage of time and the

changes brought about through social media and electronically-enhanced global economic

activity, attempts at redefining CSR in line with the new trends have persisted. Contributions

to the subject have traversed a wide range of disciplines including but not limited to

economics, human recourse management, business administration, international law and

151
Ibid, 134 quoting J. E. Post, ‘Meeting the Challenge of Global Corporate Citizenship’ (2000)
Boston College Centre for Corporate Community Relations, Carroll School of Management, 8.
152
Speech by H.E. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, at the Launch of the (Corporate
Citizenship for Responsible Enterprises) CORE Platform at San Anton Palace, Valetta, Malta on 10
September 2015. Available at: <http://president.gov.mt/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/CORE-
SPeech.pdf> accessed 22 June 2016.
153
See David Vogel, The Market for Virtue – The Potential and Limits of Corporate Social
Responsibility (Brookings Institution Press, Washington DC, 2005) x.

67
social policy.154 Many more have been canvassed since then but “corporate social

responsibility” has come to prominence. In academic literature from other disciplines, various

words and phrases have been used to describe the perceived obligations of business to

society. It is therefore not uncommon to find phrases like ‘business ethics’, ‘sustainable

business’ and ‘corporate accountability’ when describing the responsibility of business to

society. Many have been used interchangeably in various texts. As far as notoriety is

concerned, the term ‘corporate social responsibility’ seems to have “won the battle” of

terminology, dominating the other terms that are also commonly used.155 Having gained

notoriety, CSR ideology started to concretise since the turn of this century. A word that has

recurred in consistent use is ‘sustainability’ and it has permeated and affected the tenor of

current debates. This may be due to the heightened interest in global environmental issues,

the looming fears of possible corporate collapse and uncharted boundaries of innovative

technologies.

An unmistakeable phenomenon at the turn of the twenty-first century has been the

unmitigated spread of social media platforms. These platforms such as Twitter and Facebook

have revolutionised information and communication technology (ICT) companies. Due to its

free or otherwise low cost to join most of them their expansion has been extraordinary. This

phenomenon has enabled otherwise remote citizens of all states in the world to be au courant

with developments relating to business-society issues. The possibility of individual citizens

organising mass protests speedily and at low cost has created an active class of vociferous

stakeholders, with broadcasting and narrowcasting abilities; whilst conversely enabling

corporations to “better manage their reputation”, “monitor their external environment”,

154
Somewhat remote disciplines in health and natural sciences make claims of interest in CSR also.
155
Ibid.

68
“better understand/engage with stakeholders” and “improve the management of corporate

crisis”.156

Corporate governance has received its fair share of attention following the global financial

crisis of 2008 – 2009. The importance of corporate governance codes which were loosely

worded to accommodate capitalist tendencies, received new impetus; focus moved to the

constitution of corporate boards, their functions and reporting regulations. As custodians of

financial, economic and political power, corporations are under unprecedented scrutiny by

both the state and the society. With the economy of states linked in more practical terms

through international trade, it seems there is no limitations placed on the international social

responsibility of business as business, the state and society continue to seeks for ways of

harnessing benefits from corporate involvement in social development. At the national level,

states have become more involved in CSR. There has been states-supported CSR and

corporate governance standards initiatives such as with the OECD, state-sponsored

legislation such as the new section 172 of UK Companies Act 2006, section 135 of

Companies Act 2013 in India and other countries.157 Have argued that Adam Smith admits

that corporate responsibility can be legislated, supporting this with quotes from his lesser

known work:

There is, however, another virtue, of which the observance in not left to the

freedom of our own wills, which may be extorted by force, and of which the

156
Glen Whelan et al., (n8) 779
157
It seems that developing countries such as The Philippines, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya,
Indonesia have also increased scrutiny of corporate behaviour through legislation or mandatory
reporting requirements contained in corporate governance codes.

69
 violation exposes to resentment, and consequently to punishment. The virtue is

justice: the violation of justice is injury….158

Keeping government out of business may be rather difficult.159 Ed Miliband the Labour Party

leader while campaigning for office in the British general election of 2015 alleging rapacious

profiteering by energy companies, promised consumers “a fairer deal” as bills “remained

high even when wholesale prices have been falling”160.

More radical views are emerging, John Elkington has argued that corporations should be

tasked with sustainability based on ‘zero-sum’ waste as their social responsibility because the

‘sustainability agenda is ultimately about the long-term survival and health not only of

individual companies or value chains, but of our civilization and planetary biosphere’. 161 He

argues that profit-making and human development should not be mutually exclusive

objectives of business and promotes the idea that companies should endeavour to achieve

zero waste of water and carbon production methods, zero accidents, zero corruption, zero

human rights violations and zero labour infringements should define companies practicing

“best standards” today. Visser and Kymal have suggested corporations should do more than

158
Jill A Brown and William R Foster, ‘CSR and Stakeholder Theory: A Tale of Adam Smith’
(2013) 112 J Bus Ethics 301, 3014 quoting from Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments
(1759)
159
Ed Miliband, Prime Ministerial candidate for the Labour Party in UK promised to freeze energy
bills if elected to power in 2015 in what can be seen as ‘regulating’ social responsibility of
corporations. Jim Pickard, ‘Miliband Holds Out Promise to Cut Energy Bills by 10%’, Financial
Times (London, 12 March 2015) <http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/fa356652-c8dl-lle4-bc64-
001feab7de.html#axzz4FvetrCCd> accessed 30 May 2015.
160
James Ashton, ‘Which is worse, ripping off nations or the customers?’ Evening Standard (London,
12 June 2014) 14.
161
See John Elkington, The Zeronauts (Routledge 2014) 24

70
create shared value but create integrated value which suggests an increasing foray of CSR in

business-society discuss.162

3.4 Theories and Models of CSR

As the definitions of CSR have changed over time, so has the associated theories

transformed. The various ideological frictions on the subject of CSR has not led to an

absolute convergence and like many areas of social science may never. The theories that have

gained prominence at the expense of others seem to have expanded the borders of corporate

objective beyond short-termism into environmentality, sustainability and long-termism. The

proliferation of theories has followed the proliferation of articles and academic papers on the

notion of CSR since the 1950s to date. The models developed have shaped aspects of

business in governance regulation, ethical investment, ethical marketing and advertising.

3.4.1 Shareholder Value Theory

The most notable corporate law theory developed in the middle of the 20th century promoted

the primacy of shareholder interest. One of the notable proponents of the shareholder theory

was Milton Friedman who remarked that the “social responsibility of business is to increase

its profits”.163 The proponents of this theory maintained that social welfare was the

responsibility of government. The government in meeting its social responsibility to citizens

will be required to provide social amenities while business meets the obligation of expanding

162
Wayne Visser and Chad Kymal, ‘Integrated Value Creation (IVC): Beyond Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) and Creating Shared Value (CSV)’ (2015) 8 (1) Journal of International
Business Ethics 29.
163
Milton Friedman, ‘The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Its Profits’, The New York
Times Magazine (New York, 13 September1970). See also, Milton Friedman, Capitalism and
Freedom (40th Anniversary edn, University of Chicago Press 1962) especially Chapter 8 titled
‘Monopoly and the Social Responsibility of Business and Labor’ an early work on which the latter
article was based.

71
production and creating employment. Milton saw the involvement of government in business

as meddlesomeness ‘forcing people to act against their own interest’ and to ‘substitute the

values of outsiders for the values of participants’ in the free market economy. 164

Another feature of this theory was the dependency on the “invisible hand’ of demand and

supply as the moderator and determinant of the distribution of rewards for the application of

economic resources. The economic realities of a state they insist follows the fairness

appropriated by the ‘invincible hand’ and works for the benefit of all.165 The opposition to

“the invisible hand” was seen as “the hand of government” or the manipulation of the

economy by government regulation.

This theory became popular after the industrial revolution. With industrialisation came the

intricate web of suppliers and demanders who yearned for a greater variety of goods. As

corporations enlarged in ownership, the inevitable designation of corporate managers with the

task of running corporations on behalf of their shareholders who held shares as stock, led to

the separation of ownership from management. Shareholders or investors required returns

from their managers. Managers were mandated to achieve share value. Consequently,

corporations’ objective has been characterised by the supremacy of shareholder interest in a

free market economy known as Capitalism. By the 20th century, the principles of stock-

market capitalism had become entrenched in the Western economy as an ideal. Although

most critics did not advocate the abolition of the free market economy or capitalism,

arguments for a closer regulation of how corporations carried out business were rife. The

history the evolution of corporations shows that corporate collapses have invariably been

brought about by weaknesses inherent within it. The various global economic crisis since the

164
Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom (40th Anniversary edn, University of Chicago Press
1962) 200.
165
See (n 111)

72
great Depression of 1929, the recession of the 1980s and the 2008/2009 financial crisis have

all resulted from explosions arising from internal pressures and not the result of legislative or

regulatory constraints. The shareholder theorists have not rejected CSR but rather embraced it

on their own terms. This is changing as states take opportunity of financial and economic

crisis to increase regulations.

3.4.2 Stakeholder Theory

The shareholder primacy idea was countered by the stakeholder theory about the mid-

twentieth century. In the context of business ethics, the stakeholder theory appears to have

transpired to counter the claim of corporate managers after The Great Depression. 166 In

contemporary business today, companies invariably do not produce all they require in the

course of making products or services. They rely on other companies - perhaps smaller and

diverse - to supply them. These suppliers are referred to as stakeholders. The definition of

stakeholders is however wide than that covering employees, consumers of products and all

other entities that have contact with corporations in the production process. It has been

extended to include those far away who do not have direct but indirect contacts also.

Hummels note that the stakeholder idea “presupposes the ability of mangers to recognize and

respond effectively to persons, groups, institutions, organizations, societies and even the

natural environment”.167

Edward Freeman has been credited with popularising the stakeholder concept of CSR.168

Freeman’s book Strategic Management; A Stakeholder Approach169 which projected CSR

from a management perspective has been widely cited. It attempted to “put a face” to the

166
Harry Hummels, ‘Organizing Ethics: A Stakeholder Debate’ (1998) 17 Journal of Business Ethics
1403, 1406.
167
Harry Hummels, op cit, 1407.
168
Archie Carroll, (n6) 290
169
R. E. Freeman, Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach (Pitman, Boston 1984)

73
seemingly vague and largely improperly named and an unexhaustive list of groups to which

business should cater. This approach can be criticised today for trying to limit the scope of

CSR by naming and identifying specific groups for engagement with business. It is accepted

that particular businesses would be best suited to solving issues arising in their industry, but

collectively and subject to the highly interactive social environment of the modern world, this

categorisation is hardly required except in fashioning industry- or company-specific CSR

programs.

The stakeholder idea holds much promise, in my view, for CSOs because it is akin to the

cherished legal neighbour principle enunciated in the well-known case Donoghue v

Stevenson170 – a locus classicus – that established the doctrine of the duty of care in negligent

torts. This case is somewhat fortuitously relevant, in that it defines the duty owed by a

manufacture of product to a member of the public.171

Lord Atkin’s famous dictum is worthy of copious quotation where he stated inter alia;

The liability for negligence, whether you style it such or treat it as in other

systems as a species of “culpa,” is no doubt based upon a general public

sentiment of moral wrongdoing for which the offender must pay. But acts or

omissions which any moral code would censure cannot in a practical world

be treated so as to give a right to every person injured by them to demand

relief. In this way rules of law arise which limit the range of complainants

and the extent of their remedy. The rule that you are to love your neighbour

becomes in law, you must not injure your neighbour; and the lawyer's

question, Who is my neighbour? receives a restricted reply. You must take

170
Donoghue v Stevenson'' [1932] UKHL 100.
171
The contention here is that the stakeholder theory should project the ‘foreseeability’ of corporate
behaviour to apportion the notion of responsibility.

74
 reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which you can reasonably foresee

would be likely to injure your neighbour. Who, then, in law is my neighbour?

The answer seems to be — persons who are so closely and directly affected

by my act that I ought reasonably to have them in contemplation as being so

affected when I am directing my mind to the acts or omissions which are

called in question.172 (sic)

The Stakeholder theory of corporate law answered the “neighbour principle” question

concerning corporations. In short, what other entities interact with corporations whom they

need to have reasonably in contemplation when doing their business; society, individuals,

states and the environment should all be had in contemplation by business.

This case was determined by the House of Lords settling the overall principles applicable in

cases where one person may owe another a duty of care. This case is also known as the “snail

in a bottle case” because the plaintiff Mrs Donoghue discovered a snail while drinking a

bottle of ginger beer in a café which subsequently made her ill. She sued the beer maker Mr

Stevenson for breach of a duty of care – an argument the House of Lords thus upheld. The

court reasoned the act or omission on the part of the manufacture being capable of injury was

foreseeable. This case extended liability for person injury beyond a direct or indirect physical

impact. The foreseeability of the impact of corporations is the point of nexus with this case.

Business in the 21st Century has been reshaped when considered with that of the previous

century by developments in information technology and expansion of cross-border trade

facilitated by e-commerce and greater financial mobility. Chang and Ha have identified what

they considered to be the main factors that affect business in a globalised economy in this

172
per Lord Atkin in Donoghue v Stevenson op cit.

75
century.173 The position of business required recalibration in order to align with novel societal

demands. Business was being demanded to respond to various responsibilities that arose out

of their direct and indirect consequences of their behaviour. As Hummel notes, “There is still

sufficient reason to pay attention to the interests of the shareholder, because the rights of the

financiers are legitimate. But they are not absolute”174

The stakeholder theory in addition to the rights and interests of shareholders merely

recognises in addition to those rights and interests those of other groups that are or can be

affected when the interests of the corporation is being pursued. I propose therefore that there

are two level, at least of stakeholders; the primary stakeholders of which included employees

and customers, and secondary stakeholders that included the larger society and civil society

groups. Stakeholder theory critics say that those who constitute the are amorphous and their

claims so diverse that corporations should not be burdened with the responsibility of their

demands. In this regard, business has taken an instrumental approach to stakeholder theory by

selectively engaging with stakeholders only in cases that promote business interest.175

However, stakeholder theory has also gained provenance due to the activism of non-business

agents and has become pivotal in CSR discuss. As the influence and the impact of business

on the environment and welfare of various sectors of the society grows, non-business actors

have emerged to claim a position of influence in the direction of business management and

the process of decision making. In Bowoto v Chevron Corporation176 a protester’s family

173
S.J. Chang and Daesung Ha, “Corporate Governance in the Twenty-First Century: New
Managerial Concepts for Supranational Corporations” (2001) American Business Review 32. In this
article the increasing power of transnational corporations was also highlighted. They observed that the
revenue of many corporations is bigger than that of most countries.
174
Harry Hummels, op cit, 1406
175
K. Bondy, J. Moon and D. Matten, “An Institution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in
Multi-National Corporations (MNCs): Form and Implications” Journal of Business Ethic (2012)
176
Bowoto v Chevron Corporation, 557 F. Supp. 2d 1080 (N.D. Cal. 2008). See generally
‘Developments in Law: Extraterritoriality’, [2011] 124 Harvard Law Review 1226

76
brought a suit against the parent company of a Nigerian subsidiary claiming complicity with

Nigerian state agents for the death of the victim. Although Bowoto failed for lack of

jurisdiction, there has been an increased use of the principle of extraterritoriality at least in

the US Courts by stakeholders of corporations to demand redress as far as Nigeria is

concerned in cases concerning the IOCs operating in the Niger Delta.177

Jensen notes that the arguments for CSR that has centred around providing justification for

business and its interests in shareholder value, has shaped the language of the discus whilst

shifting focus from the issue of the ethical rationale for justifying business decisions and

behaviour.178 This theory is important because it highlights the basis for the interaction of

other disciplines and influences on business. It suggests that business ought to consider

stakeholders as being of existential importance rather than a remote factor. It elevates

stakeholders to a level of importance which shareholder theorists do not accord it but one

which cannot be easily

3.4.3 Corporate Sustainability or Sustainable Development Theory

Since the concepts of ‘global warming’ and climate change gained exponential popularity in

2006 following the documentary by AL Gore the former American Vice-President.179 Of

course, campaigners had long linked corporate sustainability to environmental issues, but the

global awareness raised by Al Gore propelled the concept. The idea of corporate

sustainability focused on business development and longevity in a stable social environment.

This concept underscores the importance for business to support the process of economic

growth and the future of the environment in particular and other social benefits derived from
177
See generally on the Bowoto case: David Horton, ‘Illuminating the Pat of Aliens’ Judicial
Discourse: Preventing another Bowoto v Chevron by Congressional Legislation’ (2010-2011) 27 (10)
Appalachian J.L. 27
178
M. C. Jensen, (n15)
179
The documentary titled ‘The Inconvenient Truth’ was aired in 2006 and led to Al Gore receiving
the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for climate change.

77
doing business.180 Socially responsible investing (SRI) has been proposed in consonance with

this idea.

The sustainability idea was drawn from the literal meaning of “sustain” being “to endure” and

is often used when discussions about the methods used in the extractive industry is discussed.

In discussions about fossil fuels, the idea of sustainability is often mooted in the context of

business developing alternative sources of energy in order to strategically preserve the finite

energy resources and replace them with infinite resources sch as wind, solar power and tidal

wae energy production technology. It falls within the purview of strategic and developmental

CSR to align corporate economic interests with long-term social imperatives. It has been

suggested by a former chairman of the Dutch Employers Association that “there is no

standard recipe: corporate sustainability is a custom-made process”; each corporation will

need to formulate processes that will best realise the corporate objective. 181 However, Jensen

has proposed that the stakeholder theory is consistent with business long-term value

maximisation.182

3.4.4. Corporate Social Performance Theory

This theory hints at the purposeful activities of business carried out without compulsion but

voluntarily to achieve social objectives beyond its legal and economic gain. It concedes that

other groups in society ought to benefit from its philanthropy while its main focus is profit

making. Corporate reputation is seen as the main motivation for business adopting this idea,

as its consumers’ perception is closely monitored with the output of its altruistic activity to

gauge societal acceptance of the firm. This is a popular view of CSR in the twenty-first

century. It admits CSR is relevant but upholds shareholder value.

180
See Baden and Harwood (n 124)
181
Ibid ((n15) 96
182
M.C. Jensen, ‘Value Maximisation, Stakeholder Theory, and the Corporate Objective Function’
Business Ethics Quarterly 12 (2002) 235 - 256

78
This concept has been criticised for lacking engagement with ethical considerations. In 1995,

Kenule ‘Ken’ Saro-Wiwa a non-violent environmental activist from Ogoniland in the Niger

Delta region of Nigeria who was hanged by the Nigeria Government for protesting against

the environmental degradation caused by the operations of Royal Dutch Shell Corporation

(Shell). The case was reportedly settled out of court in 1995 in a bid maintain corporation

reputation as it did not accept liability.183 The management of Shell refused to be drawn into

public condemnation of the atrocities reported in the Niger Delta and attributed to the Federal

Military Government of Nigeria, then under the leadership of General Sani Abacha a military

dictator.

Handy writing at the turn of the 21st century proposed that “good business is a community

with a purpose, not a piece of property”.184 He further commented that “to turn shareholders’

needs into a purpose is to be guilty of a logical confusion, to mistake a necessary condition

for a sufficient one.”185 Corporations by their pervasive nature are now intricately part of

every society. Beets has observed that; “[f]or many humans, corporations largely determine

their occupations, where they live, what they consume, what they wear, how they spend their

leisure time.”186

3.4.5 Corporate Citizenship Theory

On the international stage a “global citizenship theory” is emerging. This theory seeks to

subject corporations to international regulation by recognising them as ‘citizens’ or legal

183
The family of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others were paid compensation for his death in the sum of
$15.5m. The case did not therefore get to trial but is still indicative of Shell’s liability by implication.
‘Shell Settles Nigerian Death Cases’, BBC News (London 9 June 2009)
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8090493.stm> accessed 24 May 215.
184
Charles Handy, ‘What’s a Business For?’ Harvard Business Review on Corporate Social
Responsibility (2003) 65, 66
185
Handy op cit 72
186
Beets op cit 194

79
persons as they are duly accorded that appellation in national law already. This concept

denotes the use of the notions of “right and wrong”, “corporate conscience” and the legal

status of “corporate personality” to define business entities. The mobility businesses like

persons internationally also subscribes to corporations the ability to engage in “cross-border”

mobility like natural persons. With fewer bases to different natural and corporate activity in

international commercial law, the concept of global “corporate citizenship” is gaining

grounds.

As Thompson points out that there is no “constituted polity of which companies are the

citizens”, the difficulty of the “introduction of a taxation regime on corporations” where

corporations “have shown no great commitment to pay for the privileges claimed of their

citizenship”, debunk this theory.187 As already pointed out, on the other hand, states have

collaborated at an international level to play important roles in steering the international CSR

debate on the basis that business ought to contribute to the development of society.

3.4.6 Corporate Theory Convergence?

Are the various theories of CSR converging? Maybe, through the adoption og global best

practice guidelines and corporate governance codes. Some studies suggest that there are

benefits for developing countries adopting international corporate governance codes and that

there is a pattern of global convergence of regulatory practices regardless of legal origin or

tradition.188 However, not all international standard and reports should be given the same

187
Grahame F. Thompson op cit, 148
188
Dionysia Katelouzou & Mathias Siems, ‘Disappearing Paradigms in Shareholder Protection:
Leximetric Evidence for 30 Countries, 1990–2013’ (2015) 15(1) Journal of Corporate Law Studies
127; Ihsan Aytekin, Michael Miles and Saban Esen, Corporate Governance: A Comparative Study of
Practices in Turkey and Canada’ (2013) XII (2) The IUP Journal of Corporate Governance 7.
Although the work of Katelouzou & Siems covered 30 countries only one African country – south
Africa – was studied and the work of Aytekin et al. focused on Turkey and Canada, extrapolations and
deductions can be made for other countries.

80
credibility for affecting uniformity in CSR norms. For example, the widely-referenced Doing

Business Report 2016 confirmed it “covers a limited number of regulatory constraints” not

measuring “measure many aspects of the business environment that matter to firms, investors

and the overall economy”.189

This apparent inclination towards convergence is not exclusive to international commercial

and corporate law. It is emerging in media law which may in turn influence business due to

the possible convergence of marketing and public relations management strategies. 190 The

adoption of similar Codes for the surreptitious delivery of mandatory CSR is leading to

convergence. Most businesses are adopting stakeholder engagement for reputational

enhancement.191 The statement of Mark Carney with respect to the virtues of “inclusive

capitalism” points in the direction of some convergence.192 Carney reiterated that ‘The Bank

of England’s mission “to promote the good of the people of the UK by maintaining monetary

and financial stability” suggests that central banks have an important role to play in

supporting social welfare’.193 Hummels further observed that a slant of capitalism advocated

by – Kantian Capitalism – recognises the “inalienable rights” of stakeholders “to participate

in the process of discussing the organi[s]ational practices, policies, and action.”194 Capitalism

189
Doing Business; Measuring Regulatory Quality and Efficiency 2016, (World Bank Group, 2016) v.
190
Douglas W Vick, ‘Regulatory Convergence?’ (2006)2 6 (1) Legal Studies 26, identifies
convergence of the two dominant media law models; the ‘market liberal model’ and the ‘social liberal
model’.
191
Sports promotions and ethical considerations are clearly demonstrable when considering the
response of business to public opinion in respect of their brand ambassadors and sponsored sports
persons. Nike stopped sponsorship deals with tiger Woods following reported indiscretion in his
private life. See http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/9336698/tiger-woods-close-signing-new-deal-
remain-nike accessed 17 June 2014.
192
Mark Carney, ‘Inclusive Capitalism: Creating a Sense of the Systemic’ (London 27 May 2014) - a
speech given by Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England at the Conference on Inclusive
Capitalism. Copy available at:
<http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/Documents/speeches/2014/speech731.pdf> accessed 1
August 2015.
193
Mark Carney op cit, 4.
194
Harry Hummels, (n23) 1408

81
is now accepting of ‘stakeholder’ ideas; if this is not convergence in the making, it is

imminent.

3.5 What is Corporate Social Responsibility?

In the study of CSR, a definitional construct is important; this is because a definition will

suggest inherently the confines of the subject. This has not been an easy task for students of

CSR because there are many connotations of what responsibilities corporations can be

subjected to. The concept of the word ‘responsibility’ has been rightly examined by various

authors and needs clarification in order for a clear understanding of what constitutes CSR,

and indeed what it does not. In this regard, a critical evaluation of the sense in which the

word ‘responsibility’ has been used relative to the subject ‘corporate social responsibility’ is

relevant.

When the concept of responsibility is applied to government or individuals, it is somewhat

less difficult to define. However, when ‘responsibility’ is applied to corporations, it possesses

a challenge. This is because, the concept of responsibility inherently defines the context in

which corporations can be obligated to society. In short, the context of the ‘responsibility’ of

business has been far more contentious.

3.5.1 The concepts of “responsibility”: before, during and after the fact

Although a widely acceptable definition is being synthesised through many academic and

public debates, the responsibilities of individuals and governments seemed to have rather

concretised through democratic legislative processes. Goodpaster and Matthews note that the

concept of “responsibility” can be used in either the ‘casual sense’ as in ‘holding to account

for past actions’, ‘rule-following sense’ as in ‘following social and legal norms’, or ‘decision-

82
making sense’.195 I suggest that this explanation covers ‘responsibility’ as a concept that can

be applied before, during and after actions are taken. It can be mean, as before an event (by

giving consideration to the outcome of corporate decisions), or during the taking of an action

or event (like a benevolent or philanthropic attitude by the application of ethics) or ex post

facto196 (such as to engage the consequences of decisions taken).

Conventionally, the concept of responsibility is applied to natural persons in all three senses,

because human beings are capable and expected to apply ethics conscientiously before an act

of commission or omission. The implication for artificial persons – corporations – is that they

are not perceived to have a conscience like natural persons and so should not be expected to

apply moral judgements when transacting and operating. Goodpaster and Matthews disagree

with this notion, contending that ‘just as the moral responsibility displayed by an individual

develops over time from infancy to adulthood, so too we may expect to find stages of

development in organisational character’.197

Therefore, the regulatory approach is to impute a conscience to business by evaluating their

decisions and the process of decision-making. The perceivable shift in thinking is the

refocusing of emphasis from the making of profits to the wider considerations in justifying

the choice of a transactional path. Modern CSR is not limited to responsibility arising after

the fact but rather investigates the influences of decision making and engages the rationale of

corporate behaviour throughout corporate transactions. Corporations can make decisions

before transactions - because it engages the question of the objective of its actions, during - as

it engages the connectivity with the producers of goods and services such as the staff and raw

195
Kenneth E Goodpaster and John B Matthews, Jr., ‘Can a Corporation Have a Conscience?’
Harvard Business Review on Corporate Social Responsibility (Harvard Business Press 2003) 131,
135.
196
Ex post facto means ‘after the fact’, i.e. an action done after an event or fact is determined.
197
Insert quote

83
materials and lastly a projection of the future value of the various elements engaged in the

process of production. The business case for CSR which accommodates rather than precludes

law as a regulatory tool may be acceptable to business, if its implementation does not

impinge upon corporate profit making and entrepreneurship and innovative abilities.

3.5.2 Definitions of CSR

Increasing public interest is fuelling debates and research in CSR by the academia. The many

areas that the study of CSR engages have necessitated interdisciplinary collaborations in

various aspects of corporate law and corporate governance. The increasing number of

research on this subject is producing a steady body of data and theses. In defining CSR, the

adage quot homines, tot sententiae198 is trite but a legal context will be assumed for the

purposes of this study.

Accordingly, the episteme of CSR as a distinct field of study reveals that there has been

various definition, each one being relevant to an historical era. The main concepts that have

led to the development of CSR as a subject is often relative to identifiable global

circumstances. There has been palpable friction between academics in managerial sciences,

economics and law regarding the appropriate contextualization of the “responsibility” of

corporations. This is because of the distinct purports and nuances of CSR when located in

each particular field of study. In law, responsibility is viewed in a much more functional way

to recognise the existence of a corresponding obligation. The confusion posed by the myriad,

and often conflating perspectives of these perspectives leads to a misunderstanding of CSR;

so, defining CSR in legal terms is a tedious task. There is no universally adopted definition of

198
The adage translated literally means “there are as many opinions as there are men”.

84
CSR. Okoye considered that CSR is an “essentially contested concept” that is subject to

continuous debate but requiring congruency.199

As for the word ‘social’ in ‘corporate social responsibility’, its ordinary meaning will suffice

as no special connotation seems to have been attached to what can be considered social and

what is not than to ascribe it to what affects people or the society in general. However,

‘society’ it is often contextualised with reference to a particular group, community, state, or

the international community such as to say the ‘Nigerian society’. Regarding the concepts of

‘corporate’ in the phrase ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ is not as controversial in the

context in which it has been used and understood – it refers to generally to registered

companies.

The word ‘responsibility’, however, has various connotations and is the subject of greater

scrutiny.200 In the ordinary meaning of the phrase ‘socially responsible’, individuals are

morally obligated to act in the interest of the whole community or society and not despite it.

But for corporations, their unique legal characteristic of being mystical raises the question

whether it can be ‘responsible in the same way as a natural person. Christine Parker queries

the possibility for the law “to make companies accountable for going beyond the law” and

attempts to answer it by stating that corporate “[l]aw attempts to constitute corporate

‘consciences’ – getting companies ‘to want to do what they should do’ – not just legally

compliant outputs or actions”.201

199
A. Okoye, ‘Theorising corporate social responsibility as an essentially contested concept: is a
definition necessary?’ Journal of Business Ethics 89(4) (2009) 613-627, where CSR is analysed in
accordance with the “essentially contested concepts” theory by Walter B. Gallie, a renowned
philosopher. See generally; Walter B. Gallie, "Essentially Contested Concepts" (1956) 56
Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society 167.
200
See n two above
201
Christine Parker, ‘Meta-Regulation: Legal Accountability for Corporate Social Responsibility?’ in
D McBarnet, A Voiculescu and T Campbell (eds), The New Corporate Accountability: Corporate
Social Responsibility and the Law (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2008) Chapter 8. An

85
In every field of study, the definition of the terms applicable is useful in determining the

meaning, context and scope of its nomenclature. The history of CSR has been tortuous; there

have been several characteristic variations of corporate practices defining various times in its

history. In the case of CSR, its meaning has been the subject of much debate. This may be

partly attributable to the contemporary dispensation of globalised business interactions

energised especially by multinational corporations (MNCs) with operations transcending

international barriers. This is because; the study of CSR has become important internationally

and subject to a myriad of applications. In developing countries, the adverse impact of MNCs

has come under intense scrutiny with the worldwide publication of corporate

mismanagement, human rights abuse and environmental issues. Although CSR issues are

raised worldwide, perspectives across economic, managerial and cultural spheres vary. The

prominence of CSR has been noted by Doreen McBarnet who remarked that ‘[i]t is difficult

to open a newspaper these days without coming across some reference to [CSR]’. 202 Further,

ethical questions are being asked of how business conducts its “business” and what

responsibilities they should undertake in society. The questions asked of business, and their

answers vary across politico-economic theory paradigms.

Despite the apparent transformation of the concept of social responsibility of business, the

principal notion at the core of the study of business relationship with society has endured.

However, businesspeople and the corporate vehicles they formed in order to advance their

economic interest have not always been as complex and global in nature as it is today. This is

not to suggest that business was not done internationally between states and people.

However, the advent of mechanisation, industrialisation and increase in global population has

earlier copy is available at: <https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/sites/digital-agenda/files/dae-

library/meta-regulation_legal_accountability_for_corporate_social_responsibility.pdf> accessed 24
May 2015
202
ibid 9

86
heralded more complex human interactions in many ways, not the least in financial

transactions and mechanised methods of production of goods and services. External and

internal factors, therefore, have led to changing definitions and concepts in the study of CSR.

There have been many definitions in scholarly works from the 1950s to the end of the last

century as Carroll points out.203 According to McGuire “[t]he idea of social responsibilities

supposes that the corporation has not only economic and legal obligations but also certain

responsibilities to society which extend beyond these obligations”.204

When business as done by sole traders and simple partnerships (such as were run by

families), the social responsibility of the individual businessman was a personal responsibility

and so was in very close focus.205 As businesses became incorporated this responsibility was

located in the modern corporation and renamed CSR. The difficulty in imputing a

‘conscience’ and moral responsibility to business is due to its artificial character. Whatever

the difficulty, it has not deterred the progression of the corporate accountability movement in

seeking to hold corporations accountable in every way possible.

3.5.3 Reconceptualising CSR

Clearly, CSR seeks to elevate moral commitments from companies to the same pedestal as

legal ones or higher. Additionally, not only have the concepts associated with the ethical

behaviour of business been subject of diverse connotations and definitions, the way in which

corporations and society have communicated their interests to one another have been equally

203
See for the crystallisation of definitions between the 1950s and 1990s Archie B. Carroll,
‘Corporate Social Responsibility: Evolution of a Definitional Construct’ [1999] Business and Society
268. A copy is obtainable at:
<https://www.academia.edu/419517/Corporate_Social_Responsibility_Evolution_of_a_Definitional_
Construct> accessed 24 July 2015.
204
J. McGuire, Business and Society (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1963) 144)
205
Carroll op cit.

87
confused.206 Some scholars continue to advocate for new definitions or terminologies.207 This

is evident from the demand on corporations to go beyond the law to meet social expectations.

For example, the sale of BHS208 - a popular and long-established UK retail chain – evoked

CSR and corporate law issues. The main shareholder of BHS Sir Philip Green was allegedly

benefited from corporate law loopholes to ‘strip’ BHS of assets legally while selling the

company for a nominal £1.00 to a retail novice and leaving thousands of its workers without

employment and pensions. This case educes questions about the responsibility of

corporations and shareholders going beyond the law to act in the best interest of society at

large. Not surprisingly, this case led to a parliamentary inquiry in which the Chair of the

House of Commons Committee on Business, Innovation and Skills commented on the ambit

of their enquiry thus:

"The collapse of BHS brings misery and uncertainty for thousands of workers and also places

a potentially significant burden on the taxpayer in the form of pension liabilities. The sale and

acquisition of BHS raises real questions about whether directors acted in the best long-term

interests of the company and their employees. Is there too much of an incentive in the system

for owners to asset-strip, take out vast sums for personal gain, and then dump and run leaving

the taxpayer to pick up the tab when the company fails, rather than create value for the long-

term? In this inquiry we’ll want to question the role of advisers – the lawyers, bankers,

206
Itziar Castelló, Mette Morsing and Friederike Schultz, ‘Communicative Dynamics and Polyphony
of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Network Society’ Journal of Business Ethics 118 (2013) 683
– 694. They base their idea on the plurality and different constructs of reality that is obtainable as a
result of perspectives influenced by the available technologically advanced multimedia.
207
Marcel van Marrewijk, ‘Concepts and Definitions of CSR and Corporate Sustainability: Between
Agency and Communion’ Journal of Business Ethics (2003) 44: 95 – 105, 101
208
BHS was a popular high street retail outlet brand that traded for 88 years until its winding up in
2016. It was owned by Sir Philip Green from 2000 until 2015 when he sold it for £1.00. At the time it
went into administration and eventual collapse, it had up to 11,000 workers employed in 164 stores
nationwide. 20,000 workers were also affected due to a £571million pension deficit contributing to a
cost of £1.3billion to its diverse creditors.

88
auditors and others who advised on the sale and purchase of BHS – and examine the legal

obligations of company directors in this process."209

The above comment clearly indicates a subtle but apparent supposition that corporations and

their owners ought to act in the interest of the society at large. 210 The terms of reference

further expanded the enquiry to the issue of business ethics and corporate law provisions. The

terms of reference questions among other things “the role of external advisers during the sale

and acquisition process, particularly bankers, lawyers, accountants and auditors conducting

due diligence checks”, whether “the regulatory framework incentivise or mitigate moral

hazard”, if the directors acted “as best they could to fulfil their statutory duties” if “the

statutory duties on directors regarding the sale or purchase of businesses or subsidiaries, and

the potential consequences of breaching these, sufficient”.211 Though deontology is a fixture

of professional training and education of most legal, accounting and financial professions

their involvement in corporate scandals has not received greater scrutiny.

The sense in which a company is responsible outside the law is by noting the consequential

social denouncement of a particular corporate act or omission and responding to it. Criticism

of unsocial corporate acts often goes beyond mere verbal condemnation; society often stage

product boycotts or excoriation in the media leading to negative reputation. It is important

that the sense of responsibility goes beyond the law. For this reason, I maintain CSR should

be cover responsibilities in keeping the law and beyond the law in a society but what the

responsibilities are should be standardised and not left to conjecture. This will help to provide

209
See the UK Parliament website:
<http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/business-
innovation-and-skills/news-parliament-2015/the-sale-and-acquisition-of-bhs-terms-of-reference-15-
16/> Accessed 23 June 2016.
210
It is accepted that due to the UK being a ‘welfare state’ the implication for state pension pay-outs
make the loss of employment for the many
211
Ibid n7

89
the definition, and determine the scope, of the social expectations on corporations in the

society.

Given that ther are various definitions of the term ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR), it

is not pragmatic to iterate them; a working definition is rather adopted in this study. The

purpose of a definition is to focus the study and provide an ideological benchmark for this

research. Antonio Vives has defined CSR as;

The practices of the corporation that, as part of their corporate strategy, complementary and

in support of the main business activities, explicitly seek to avoid damage and promote the

well-being of stakeholders (clients, suppliers, employees, financial resource providers,

community, government and the environment) by complying with current rules and

regulations and voluntarily going beyond those requirements.212

The ingredients of this definition reveal certain generally accepted attributes when

considering the purpose of CSR.213 Firstly, it suggests that CSR activities are conducted in

the ordinary course of business transactions. If this is so, it provides reason for investigating

the purpose of corporations in society. It also incidentally acquiesces to the stakeholder

theory of corporate law. This position accedes to, and recognises that, there are ancillary

issues other than the legitimate pursuit of profits that require corporate involvement.

Secondly, this definition assumes that CSR is a voluntary activity by corporations and should

is not subject to mandatory compliance. This suggestion cannot be sustained in view of the

many mandatory regulatory schemes imbedded in both corporate governance codes and

legislation – as will be seen in the next chapter. In contemporary national corporate law at

212
Ibid at 45.
213
Marcel van Marrewijk ‘Concepts and Definitions of CSR and Corporate Sustainability; Between
Agency and Communion’ 44 Journal of Business Ethics 2003, 95 – 105, 96 describes the problems
associated with a definition of CSR. This is basically, the dichotomy that exists in deciphering the
nature of relationship between corporations and society.

90
least, the inclusion of law is nor a foregone conclusion. Pressure by state and non-state actors

has ensured that corporations do not dictate exclusively what is and is not socially responsible

activities. To the contrary, CSR cannot now be conceived to be driven mainly by

corporations, but by the strong will of society expressed in many ways, the least not being

brand boycotts and damaging corporate reputation. In some instances, governments are then

forced to act in public interest and in line with societal demands. Thirdly, CSR transcends

national boundaries and has become a global phenomenon. The transnational nature of

business – whether small or big – has made CSR issues more conspicuous on the

international stage. A discussion on contemporary CSR practices invariably reveals

considerations that are global due to the interdependence of economic activities through the

financial markets, e-commerce and climate change. CSR issues are, being shaped by global

developments which are now indispensable considerations in national and international

corporate law. Indeed, all the above notions inherent or otherwise in the definition adopted by

Antonio Vives evoke many debatable issues surrounding the theory, practise and purpose of

CSR.214

I conclude that a definition of CSR need not exclude the consideration of corporate interest

beyond the making of profit and the observance of extant laws. A definition confining CSR to

observing the laws and making profit can be associated with classical capitalism and

neoliberalism. Indeed, things which were historically considered to be voluntary philanthropy

such as the provision of the availability of flexible working hours, the provision of maternity

pay and health and safety issues are now entrenched in contemporary corporate practice

through the instrumentality of relevant legislation. Therefore, CSR can be defined as: All

214
See generally on CSR: Crane et al., The Oxford Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility
(OUP, Oxford 2008) Chapter 3.

91
other objectives of a corporation which may be considered as secondary and beyond the

primary objective of making profits that promotes social development.

The above definition relates to the major interest of corporate governors who, for example,

adopt CSR to gain customer acceptance and reduce the incidences of shareholder activism

being expressed via proxy fights.215 Although corporate managers are not required to do so,

they still adopt CSR as an indispensable tool to acquire social acceptance. It is accepted that

the ineradicable and primary objective of corporations is to make profit and this is not going

to change in the foreseeable future. However, corporations have a firm interest in meeting

their secondary objectives - which has been thrust upon it by society – to cater to social issues

that arise out of its operations or which are manifest in its operating environment whether

created by it or not. It is insufficient for a corporation to do only what is necessary in law to

remain operative. A corporation with a solely shareholder supremacy orientation will not be

sustainable in contemporary business. This is not to dismiss the ever-present influence of the

Anglo-American model of capitalism and the assumption of free market economic principles

exemplified in the doctrine of the distribution of resources according to ‘market forces’ of

demand and supply.

3.6 The Scope of CSR

A discussion that seems to continue is the extent to which business is expected to embrace the

plethora of responsibilities which society is calling for it to take in respect of its activities. So

far, CSR has been identified as encompassing issues in human rights, employment, ecological

environment, the internet, marketing, banking, etc. making the scope of CSR difficult to

215
Christian Pieter Hoffmann, Peggy Simcic Brønn and Christian Fieseler, ‘A Good Reputation:
Protection against Shareholder Activism’ (2016) 19 Corporate Reputation Review 35.

92
define with exactness.216 This is not surprising considering the ever-increasing and changing

social issues associated with corporations, especially the MNCs.

All activities that business engages in outside of its operations have been dubbed CSR. The

response of business after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, US in August 2005 is an

example of this phenomenon.217 In a report produced by an NGO – Corporate Research

Centre – Walmart one of the world’s biggest retail companies was praised for taking

opportunity of the disaster to improve its own image through involvement in the

rehabilitation and redevelopment of affected people in the devastated areas. The success of

Walmart led to the establishment of a public-private “clearing house” for disaster

management called the National Business Emergency Operation Centre (NBEOC).

Companies receiving public approval and employees taking pride in their companies are

some of the benefits corporations earn by responding to disasters. There seems to be a

conventional scope of CSR and newly developing frontiers.

3.6.1 Conventional Scope and Limitations

The conventional scope of CSR is characterised by corporations being philanthropic and

determining the projects and how much they spend and when on social issues. Conventional

CSR was practices in the US after the Great Depression of 1929 by large corporations like

Ford by catering to the welfare needs of its employees. CSR as practiced was indicative of

the presumption that CSR is an objective pursued after business has made profits;

216
Various texts have included and categorised case studies from these different areas of social
interaction and more. See for example, Andrew Crane, Dirk Matten and Laura J. Spence, ‘Corporate
Social Responsibility Readings and Cases in a Global Context’ (eds) (Second edition, Routledge
2014) v-vii. See also Thomas Donaldson and Al Gini, ‘Case Studies in Business Ethics’(eds) (Fourth
edition, Prentice-Hall 1996) v-x.
217
See the article How Hurricane Katrina changed Corporate Social Responsibility’ Huffington Post
26 august 2014 at <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ryan-scott/how-hurricane-katrina-
cha_b_8043692.html> accessed 16 September 2015.

93
shareholder interest was regarded as primarily – often exclusively to that of any third party or

stakeholder. CSR in this fashion could only be practiced by the very large corporations or

those influenced by altruistic motive alone. It was also not thematically adopted throughout

the corporation but was a matter left for the whims of the directors.

It is difficult grasping the boundaries of CSR. It seems to be all that is not legislated

presently. Most corporations in the world now issue CSR reports for public consumption.

Though used in assessing marketing and reputational standing CSR is now being directed by

the society and driven by public interest. As most companies would benefit from this

favourable public perception, CSR has become a useful tool for meeting society’s

expectations of business. The question to ask of CSR boundaries may be; what is not covered

by CSR rather than what is? It is harder to find exclusions by business of the extent to which

they could relate their CSR agenda.

Nowadays, the extent of the social responsibility of business extends to bribery and

corruption, human rights, the environment and climate change, ethical investment. The

reasons corporations embark on CSR has been stratified by David Vogel 218. Pillay also

identifies that CSR has been implemented by companies for among other things,

philanthropic and ameliorative purposes at a cost to business.219

3.6.2 (Re)Constructing Contemporary CSR

The justifications for adopting CSR by business should reside in the values enunciated by

society; this is where the interest of business, the state and society are in conjunction. It is

posited that debates in contemporary CSR should be informed principally by needs of

society, with business being only a component part - howbeit, a very important one. It is

218
David Vogel, The Market for Virtue (Washington DC: Brookings Institution Press, 2005)
219
Renginee Pillay, ‘The Changing Ideas of Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR and Development
in Context: The Case of Mauritius’, (DPhil thesis, University of Kent 2009)

94
further posited that the interest of business is not at variance with those of society as a whole.

The identification of mutuality of interest is, therefore, vital to eliminating, if not eradicating

the conflict observed in the current debate. The import here is that business was made for

society and not society for business. Business although a natural development from human

interaction since the days of trade by barter, the modern corporation is a contraption

conceived for societal benefits. It ought to, therefore, promote activities, not at variance with

social norms and ethical standards.

An important limitation of the extent of business’ pandering to social issues needs be clarified

since it has been argued detrimentally to primary corporate objective of making profit, that

society’s interest should be pursued by business even if it is unprofitable.220 It is argued that

should this be the case, no business will exist to serve the interest of others and not itself. The

primary motivation to form corporations is a common interest of individuals and/or

corporations that desire to invest their capital for the returns of profits. Where corporations

pursue primarily this objective and not the intrinsic interest of making profit.

Importantly, for example, some environmental and labour issues that caused concerns in

society regarding business activities have been ultimately legislated. Issues relating to gender

discrimination, employment of minors, working environment in factories, racial

discrimination and product safety invariably received the attention of society’s disapproval

before being passed into law. This is one benefit of CSR, it uncovers social issues and

changes with the times faster than corporations or government can.

Also, the rising profile of CSR in business and management studies, has informed the growth

of an industry that services corporations and other institutions on compliance and regulatory

220
See Archie B. Carroll, (n6) 275 noting ‘a public survey conducted by Opinion Research
Corporation in 1970 in which two thirds of the respondents believe business had a moral obligation to
help other major institutions to achieve social progress, even at the expense of profitability’.

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issues. Corporate managers who engage this growing sector actively may earn comparative

advantage over its competitors by delivering social benefits with its core corporate mandate

of making profits. In developing countries with less regulation, corporate managers still

determine whether or not - and how far - they can undertake socially responsible projects.

The decision on CSR is often made as a business decision requiring a “business case”

justification. CSR presently cannot ignore business considerations in the process of corporate

law reform, but until CSR laws are enacted in most jurisdictions, social responsibility will be

‘regulated’ by the conscience of corporate managers.

3.7 Criticisms of CSR

CSR has been widely adopted by companies with a survey of the UK and US Fortune 500

companies revealing about $15 billion being spent annually on it. 221 Regardless of the

widespread adoption of CSR values it has been criticised mainly by shareholder value

theorists. CSR has also been under severe condemnation as the excerpt from a newspaper

article will reveal regarding the activities of Volkswagen the German automobile maker

embroiled in corporate scandal in 2015 for falsifying emission test results in its vehicles. The

article reads in part as follows;

Its annual report was packed full of lovingly described projects it backed and

charities it supported. It was a “thought leader” on dozens of different

weighty issues, and a “change agent” for improving society. Globally, it was

ranked as the 11th best company in the world for its corporate social

responsibility work. What that surely tells us is that CSR has become a racket

221
Alison Smith, ‘Fortune 500 Companies spend more than $15bn on Corporate Responsibility’
Financial Times (12 October 2014) Available online at: <http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/95239a6e-4fe0-
11e4-a0a4-00144feab7de.html#axzz4GBF7GVjS> accessed 2 August 2015.

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 – and a dangerous one. It allows companies to parade their virtue, and look

good, while internal standards are allowed to slip. In fact, the social

responsibility of companies is very simple – to make good products, to

honour their contracts and to pay their staff and suppliers on time. Everything

else is just a smokescreen.”222

The argument against CSR is that, demanding that companies do more than making good

products and meeting legal requirements is unwarranted. State-regulation of business-society

relations is perceived as government being ‘paternalistic’. However, the Volkswagen case, in

my view, supports the case for institutionalised CSR rather than discarding it. The deliberate

and systemic falsification of corporate data is one of the issues CSR seeks to tackle – and it

does not cost money but takes moral astuteness.

It can be argued that this friction is an extension of the libertarian versus totalitarian view of

social organisation; libertarianism exults the freedom to make individual choices as against

regulatory dictations. This notion still makes the rounds but not with the same fervour as it

once did. A more contemporary view of CSR suggests that it is being considered as the

panacea to the short-term outlook of business for a more enduring focus on ‘sustainability’.

The display of corporate aggrandisement against mass poverty, lack of transparency and poor

auditing and reporting practises in accounting that are often published when corporations are

being ‘bailed out’ by states as in the global financial crisis of 2008 – 2009 legitimises public

participation in corporate governance discuss.

Another criticism that CSR distorts “economic efficiency” when profits are diverted to “non-

profit-maximising purposes” has been rejected by Manne who argues that philanthropic

222
Matthew Lynn, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility Has Become A Racket – And A Dangerous One’,
The Telegraph (London, 28 September 2015).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/11896546/Corporate-Social-
Responsibility-has-become-a-racket-and-a-dangerous-one.html Accessed 2 October 2015

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causes of business are – as they were wont to be in the 1950s and 1960s - “likely to constitute

business expenditures than true charity”.223 It should be noted that some fallouts of business

do not require the expenditure of funds if the ‘do no harm’ principle is adhered to. Also, what

is the cost of human loss as in the Bowoto case when life is irreplaceable. The essentialisation

of cost in defining CSR, limits its application to practices or activities in which corporations

are required to fund from their profits. Where corporations make ethical choices in the choice

of suppliers or answer to demands for explanation of its behaviour, should qualify as CSR

activities and so acknowledged in the definition. CSR activities should not be defined in

fiduciary terms only; curbing rapacious profiteering is also CSR. Contemporary CSR offers

business the opportunity to enforce moral codes that have been largely unsuccessful and led

to increased corporate moral hazards.

3.8 Summary

The relevance of CSR becoming clearer as more companies embrace it and corporate

accountability is setting norms for corporate managers and the notion of the responsibility

owed to society is gaining better definition. Long-term rather than short-term objectives are

being considered for corporate, social and environmental sustainability. The social

responsibility of corporations as previously widely-conceived to be the obeying of law is

seemingly proving inadequate to meet growing global social challenges giving rise to

demands for action beyond compliance with legal rules. It can be seen also that the changing

times has led to changes in the accountability agenda and has opened CSR up to

reconceptualisation in definition and scope. The criticisms of CSR are being drowned by

223
Henry Manne, ‘The “Higher Criticism” of the Modern Corporation’ (1962) 3 Columbia Law
Review 399, 416 - 417.

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developmental demands of corporations and regulation is being considered with calls for new

‘inclusive capitalism’.

In view of the developments of CSR, especially the emphasis on curbing corporate excesses,

the next chapter is devoted to examining the various regulatory regimes that have been used

to extract the commitment of corporations to CSR. In the next chapter, the formal and

informal framework for regulating CSR will be considered. In particular, the relevance of the

various legal and non-legal instruments - both at national and international levels – will is

given careful consideration.

Despite the many criticisms of CSR, corporations have embraced it somewhat ‘half-

heartedly’ out of social compulsion and committing more to rhetoric than action. Votaw

noting that a reversal to a world without CSR is not probable, has predicted that “action, not

words, are the goal”224 of the CSR movement. To attain corporate cooperation or compliance

with CSR, regulation has taken many forms which are examined next.

224
D Votaw, ‘Genius Became Rare: A Comment on the Doctrine of Social Responsibility Pt. II’
(1973) 15(3) California Management Review 5, 8

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 CHAPTER FOUR

Regulating CSR: The challenge for law

4.1 Introduction

As discussed in the previous chapter, the various notions that have honed business-society

relations have referenced the concepts of accountability, responsibility, and sustainability.

Following from the identification of the various concepts of CSR, is the vexed issue of the

appropriate methods and means of regulating CSR. This chapter focuses on the main themes

by which the regulation of CSR is presented in corporate law.

The generation of the rules and their enforcement regimes are quite different. So, as some

rules are made by business and its affiliate organisations, some are made by external

organisations who seek to extract compliance. Internally generated regulations are entirely

whimsical and mostly philanthropic gestures of corporations. The external regulations are

mainly guidelines and codes which tend to be broader in scope and require the making of

reports for public consumption. Several means are employed in assessing and evaluating

adherence to the regulations with ratings and certifications becoming importance in

evaluating corporate response to social responsibility.

Regarding the regulation of the social responsibility of business, law has been relegated as a

regulatory tool but is becoming fashionable, especially in developing countries. This trend is

examined to understand the utility of the law in business-society relations. As the utility of

law is being touted by some, critics have not been devoid of criticism also. In the final

analysis, is law desirable as a regulatory tool in the context of developing countries to

regulate business’ interaction with society? There seems to be both a ‘business case’ and

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‘public good’ argument for this proposition. Amongst the external regulatory influences are

mandatory standards, principles, guidelines or codes that state agencies or the law have set

for corporations such as listing requirements under stock exchange bye-laws. In some

countries as we will see, legislation has been passed to compel compliance with CSR

regulations, of course, with legal sanction for non-compliance. Bantekas has identified four

sources of CSR as public international CSR instruments, NGO guidelines on CSR, corporate

codes of conduct and regulation of CSR through domestic legislation225 but its practice

differs from country to country and may differ within the same corporations in two

countries.226

The development of soft law and hard law in relation to the regulation of CSR globally is

examined in this chapter. That new ways are being sought to regulate corporations is not in

controversy. What is in contention is the form and means of achieving it. The paradigm of

binding and non-binding regulatory schemes that have been employed in the regulation of

corporations is constantly being stress-tested. A balance is constantly being sought between

the means of achieving regulation in public interest without damaging the confidence of

individuals to engage in productive and profitable enterprise. The shades and permutations of

regulatory schemes can be endless. For this study, however, it suffices to look at the major

regulatory schemes for corporate social responsibility; self-regulation, state regulation and

non-binding voluntary codes of international institutions. The challenges that corporate law

faces in being instrumental in the regulation of CSR will be examined by evaluating the

utility of lar in a corporate environment in which ‘a viable business case’ is prioritised and

equated to the public interest – and sometimes above it.

225
Ilias Bantekas, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility in International Law’ (2003) Boston UIlLJ 309,
317 - 325.
226
Michael Blowfield and Jedrzej George Frynas. ‘Editorial: Setting New Agendas – Critical
Perspectives on Corporate Social Responsibility in the Developing World’ (2005) 81 (3) International
Affairs 499, 502.

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4.2 What is regulation?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary ‘regulation’ refers to ‘an official rule or law

that says how something should be done’ or ‘the act of regulating something’. 227 The

dictionary and legal sense in which the word is used is not different. It suffices to state that

regulation refers to both binding and non-binging rules, and that it can be legal and non-

legal.228 Osuji states that regulation is ‘a method of stipulating responsibility by indicating the

existence and sanctions for breach of rules’.229 The Organisation for Economic Cooperation

and Development (OECD) defines “regulation” as the “imposition of rules by government,

backed by the use of penalties that are intended specifically to modify the economic

behaviour of individuals and firms in the private sector”.230 The latter definitions presumes

the presence of sanctions for not complying with regulations. This definition takes for granted

that in self-regulated environments the regulator and the regulated may be ne and the same,

so that consequences may follow but sanctions may not. The meaning of regulation in the

context of this study must therefore be the first definition which identifies the presence of the

rules simpliciter. It is another matter whether there is sanction for breaching it or not.

The develop of regulations can be endogenous by being developed and supported from within

the corporation or exogenous by being imposed from outside authorities. Corporations have

therefore developed regulatory schemes individually and collectively – mostly at the national

level. Most regulations for corporations, however, are imposed by outside forces, chief

among them being the state. Other international organisations though voluntary and non-

227
See the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary meaning of ‘regulation’: <http://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/regulation> accessed 27 June 2016.
228
Legal rules here refer to legislation or quasi-legislative instruments that have the force of law.
229
Onyeka Osuji, ‘Fluidity of Regulation-CSR Nexus: The Multinational Corporate Corruption
Example’ (2011) 103 Journal of Business Ethics 31, 46.
230
See the definition of ‘regulation’ in the Glossary of Statistical Terms on the OECD website:
<https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=3295> accessed 8 December 2015.

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governmental have also influenced business in such a way that not to join them may result in

loss of credibility by a corporation.

Internationally, the best efforts at producing a globally accepted set of regulations has been

made by the UN organs. The main benefit of the UN-sponsored regulatory schemes is the fact

that states subscribe to them. The widespread coverage of UN schemes also gives it the

‘universality’ quality i.e. of having a universal appeal, since it is emanating from the apex

comity of nations organisation. As will be seen, international norms acknowledged by UN-

sponsored regulations often incite the creation of legislative instruments and some issues

having global importance.

A major debate in corporate law is the sufficiency or otherwise of existing regulations to

balance the much-talked-about ‘loop holes’ in corporate law. Since the last global financial

crisis, a debate between the introduction of a ‘tsunami’ or ‘sprinkler’ system of regulation

continues.231 In whatever form regulation is adopted, the challenge of formulating CSR laws

lies in its acceptability.

The compliance with any regulation whether endogenous or exogenous depends on its

acceptability. The acceptability of a regulation turns on how such regulation is motivated; is

it fair, in the public interest and reflecting of the philosophies of the regulated. Clearly, the

self-regulatory scheme of business is in tandem with the philosophy of shareholder primacy.

On the other hand, a stakeholder view is reflected in regulations issued by institutions – state

or non-state – representing a wider constituency. For example, the social contract theory of

corporate law supports a stakeholder approach to regulations. This view is promotive of the

corporate citizenship theory and a social objective for corporate existence. This pluralist view

231
The regulatory ‘tsunami’ refers to the use of all necessary regulatory tools including legislation to
control business, and the ‘sprinkler’ system refers to using regulation as sparingly as possible. It is
clear this represents both the stakeholder theory and the shareholder value theory of corporate law.

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of corporate objectives, in the current era of expanding globalisation can be instrumental in

achieving the concretised, thematic and systemic imbuement of corporate social

responsibility and ethical values norms in international law. Conversely, transnational and

national regulatory instruments are converging due to international standards that have been

gaining relevance globally. In most jurisdictions, the tendency is for corporations to be

sensitive to and not otherwise. As political debates touch on this issue, the wheel of

democratic processes continue to move closer to synthesising social norms to churn out

legislative regulation of business.

Where legislation, statutes or other legal impositions are made, it is argued that some

theoretical underpinning can be identified. The theories which underpin and influence the

making of international and national law about business can be economic, social, political or

a combination of any of these factors. In other words, theoretical and philosophical ascription

are made when discussing the motive for making international and national laws regualtions

on CSR.

4.3 Self-Regulation

The idea of self-regulation of business refers to the prerogative of companies in fashioning a

set of rules themselves or adopting one already developed voluntarily. In its early years -

predominantly before the 1950 when the stakeholder philosophy was gaining momentum –

CSR was totally self-regulated. CSR activities were either designed by, or adopted for, the

corporation under the control of management; consideration of externalities did not inform

decisions. The champions of CSR claim reasonably, that corporate breaches infringe on the

enjoyment of social, economic and cultural rights and sometimes border on criminalities. It is

apparent that in the absence of a unified global position on how to rein in corporate power,

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the self-regulatory regime established through the dominance of Anglo-American capitalism

has gained primacy.232 The value of corporate law in shaping this trend has been much

debated.

The functions and purpose of the law is to determine the allocation of rights, obligations and

duties and benefits through a fair and just means whilst tapping into the conscience of the

society in which the law is to operate. In the modern worn, the explosion of web-based

businesses and transactions require strong socially-sensitive regulation and some sanity can

come through CSR. The impact of different world cultures on a single global platform could

be challenging to harmonise, however, the universality of it also provides a basis for common

regulation. This is where international law can be useful and developed according to the

common interest of the comity of nations.

As we have seen in the previous chapter, the norms laid down through standards and codes

adopted by business have been liberal. The ultimate compliance of business to the relevant

provisions could not be compelled and noncompliance was not sanctioned. The force of

compliance depended on peer pressure. In short, they can be adjudged inadequate. The mere

fact that so many have been produced lend credence to this assertion. The introduction of

legislation does not normally attract the same lackadaisical or pretentious compliance, simply

because of the ever present “threat” of sanction even in the cases of ‘recklessness’ or

‘negligence’. Once norms become law, they are transformed from aspirational objectives to

mundane expectations and are no longer negotiable. This certainty is good for business and

society. It becomes an unwavering standard and a common code not subject to whimsical

variableness. The opportunity provided by the regulatory Codes of quasi-governmental and

supra-national institutions such as the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and

232
Historically, business was not in a position dictate the mode of regulation but as they grew in the
capitalist economies in the early 20th century this position was secured by sheer

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Development (OECD) and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) is some

degree of harmonisation and certain expectation of business. Some multinational institutions

have been lauded for driving progress by “bringing together disparate and often rival parties

to agree on common frameworks and standards for achieving more systemic and

transformational change”.233 The codes offered business for its voluntary subscription has an

inherent flaw or downside - its ‘comply or explain’ feature.

As already discussed, corporations since the Great Depression started responding to social

needs by identifying and resolving employee issues that threatened workers’ productivity or

that simply encouraged workers’ loyalty. Individually, companies determined the needs and

spent as much as they wanted within self-accounting processes; no reporting of their actions

was demanded nor required. However, as industry began to develop around certain trades or

productions lines such as in automobile and aviation, corporations devised means of

collective action. Industry standards where thus introduced by corporations to regulate their

respective specialties.

As public interest grew in corporate practices, the need to respond to wider social concerns

required the presentation of rationale and justification for corporate behaviour. Companies

therefore responded to employee issues through the adoption of charters codes, assessment or

rating profiles and certifications that advanced international norms. Companies therefore

sought to adopt so-called ‘best practice’ models. Nationally and internationally codes,

standards, ratings and certifications were developed by non-governmental organisations who

took opportunity to service industry. Legislations is also emerging in developing countries

but not in international law.

233
Jane Wilson, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility: Emerging Good Practice for a New Era’ OECD
Observer (Q2 2014) Published online and available at:
<http://www.oecdobserver.org/news/fullstory.php/aid/4369/Corporate_Social_Responsibility:_Emerg
ing_good_practice_for_a_new_era.html> accessed 02 August 2015.

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4.3.1 CSR Standards and Codes

As the accountability movement demanded greater responsiveness to social issues, several

Codes were issued for corporate consumption and implementation. Most of the early Codes

emanated from non-governmental institutions and had two distinctive features; they were not

mandatory and when adopted had no penalties attached for con-compliance. The ICC’s

“Guidelines for International Investment” (ICC Guidelines) published in 1972 expressly

declared that its rules, which set out guidelines for investors and their host and home

countries, were not to be considered a “rigid code of conduct”.234 They were to be regarded

merely as recommendations and without binding effect.

Notably, these standards and codes were in accordance with stakeholder theory of corporate

law and admitting of wider corporate objectives than the unitary interest in shareholder value.

Ultimately, business has surreptitiously owned the responsibility of doing all it can to be

socially responsible by undertaking social projects in the communities in which they operate.

When pressure has been brought to bear on them, they have responded with some degree of

responsibility. I argue, however, that the inadequacies of the current system call for a more

radical solution given the inflexible position of business. The CSR standards being

proclaimed by business are always tainted and laced with the notion of impunity: there is

usually no recourse to an independent assessment mechanism or fault finding and blaming

scheme. It is all done internally and has to be accepted as demonstrated by business.

The competition amongst business has been the bane of the self-regulatory system. As one

company attempts to be ‘straight’ an advantage may open to the other. The drive for

individual success often means that companies will use whatever means they can employ to

achieve success. At this point, ethical considerations can be stretched to breaking point - and

234
Introduction, International Chamber of Commerce, Guidelines for International Investment (1972)

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are often broken - to achieve a corporate objective. In a self-regulatory environment, the

counterbalancing force is often efficient institutions of state or a vigilant civil society as was

demonstrated in the case of was again demonstrated in a case concerning Shell in the UK in

1995 where public opinion swayed corporate action.235

The popularity of standards and codes is maintained by the benefits of corporations being

‘branded’ or certified. Although certifications costs business money which they are not wont

to throw away, negative corporate reputation may cost far more. Consumers in the developed

countries are ordinarily making financial decisions based on ethical considerations. At

individual and corporate levels this can be easily confirmed through packaging information.

For example, FairTrade labels on products gives consumers confidence as they develop an

ethical conception of the producer. Therefore, corporations that, for example, only use

recycled paper ensure to inscribe their letterheads accordingly.

4.3.2 Ratings

Many rating agencies have emerged in the last few deades with commanding positions and

influence in the business world globally. Scalet and Kelly note that the “CSR movement has

progressed over the decades from analysing a concept of responsibility to developing specific

measurement tools for accessing responsibility”236. They further classified a rating agency as

“any organisation that rates or assesses corporations according to a standard of social and

environmental performance that is at least in part based on non-financial data”237. Notable

among the rating agencies are FTSE4Good Index Series, Dow Jones Sustainability Index

235
A furore developed in 1995, when the British government requested a proposal from Shell to
dispose a storage facility considered economically unviable in the North Sea. Greenpeace activists
protested for weeks spearheading a boycott of Shell service outlets in Germany and elsewhere forcing
the safe dismantling of the facility in Norway according to the demands of the protesters.
236
Steven Scalet and Thomas F. Kelly, ‘CSR Rating Agencies: What is Their Global Impact?’
(2010) 94 (1) Journal of Business Ethics 69, 70
237
ibid

108
which are subsidiaries of larger proprietary stock exchanges. Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini

Research & Analytics (KLD) and Innovest Strategic Value Advisors and Standard Ethics 238

are private, independent and non-proprietary.

Ratings agencies have gained importance by assessing corporations for the risks associated

with the implementation of CSR. The findings of the ratings agencies provide qualifying data

for the insurance industry. This is not rampant but is gaining momentum. However, as claims

against corporations due to indiscretion rise, the role of insurers in covering the risk of

business against possible claims will rightly gain relevance. States often pool funds to cover

the risk of industrial disasters in addition to the efforts of business to provide indemnity for

operational hazards. The U.S. Hazardous Substances Trust Fund239, which pools from taxes

levied on petrochemical companies, is used to clean up toxic wastes associated with their

activities. It provides ready fund in the eventuality of a spillage or other hazardous disaster.

Aaron K. Chatterji et al., have attempted to measure the efficacy of rating agencies and

concluded that despite the “substantial resources” utilised by one of the foremost rating

agencies, obtaining reliable data of companies’ environmental management systems “is

difficult to do well”.240 This does not undermine the credibility or value of rating agencies but

underscores the difficulties being encountered in the process of data collection. The greater

challenge for rating agencies seems to be the use of varies rating criteria and the lack of a

standardised format of data assessment due to their varied specialties and interests.

238
Standard Ethics is a rating agency that reports on sustainability, corporate social responsibility
(CSR), socially responsible investing (SRI) and corporate governance. It is based in Brussels and
London and actively promotes the guidelines and codes of the UN, OECD and EU.
239
The U.S. Hazardous Substances Trust Fund was set up under the 26 U.S. Code § 9507 - Hazardous
Substance Superfund.
240
Aaron K. Chatterji, David I. Levine and Michael W. Toffel, ‘‘Do Corporate Social Responsibility
Ratings Predict Corporate Social Performance?’ (2009) 18 (1) Journal of Economics & Management
Strategy 125.

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4.3.3 Certifications

There are many CSR certifications available with some gaining international recognition.

Prominent among them are the OHSAS 18001241 for occupational health and safety, ISO

14001 for environmental management and ISO 2600242 for social responsibility. According to

ISO, standardisation can promote “technological, economic and societal benefits” and “help

to harmonize technical specifications of products and services making industry more efficient

and breaking down barriers to international trade”.243 Fair Trade certification also focus on

“better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers”.244

4.4 Legal Regulation

Regulation more widely connotes the existence of rules and the use of appropriate

determinable sanctions against non-compliers. In its raw form, legislation is the ultimate legal

regulation. It can be found in primary legislation or secondary legislation. 245 Primary

legislation. Legislation usually is enforceable by organs of state and are subject to judicial

241
OHSAS stands for Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Specification. It is an
internationally accredited management system and has been adopted by a large number of
corporations in the oil and gas industry.
242
ISO stands for International Organisation for Standardisation. It has developed many
internationally recognised certifications in most areas of corporate management, health and safety and
sustainability.
243
See ISO website: <http://www.iso.org/iso/home/about/iso-and-developing-countries.htm> accessed
10 November 2015.
244
FairTrade Foundation is dedicated to fair conditions for workers especially in developing
countries. See: <http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/en/what-is-fairtrade/what-fairtrade-does> accessed 17
August 2015.
245
Primary legislation refers to laws made by the parliament of a state or through democratic
processes. Secondary legislation is also called delegated legislation and is usually made by the
executive arm of government exercising laws granted under a primary legislation. Secondary
legislation may need to be ratified by the parliament but where it is not, it makes for the quick passage
of supplementary laws by officials who have in-depth knowledge by reason of a position or
commission.

110
interpretation when contested in courts of competent jurisdiction but not always. The legal

maxim ubi societas, ibi jus246 is an acknowledgement that every society has laws or rules that

bind them. The modern society is so complex that laws exist for many private and public

issues to define the boundaries of private-public law, civil-criminal law, national-

international law. Business has so far advocated for the exclusion of CSR from legal

regulation and has succeeded to evade legislative capture in many developed nations due to

their capitalist orientation.

The frequent occurrence of corporate imprudence - especially when it has global

consequences - has made the legal maxim ubi jus, ibi remedium247 appealing to advocates

demanding tighter regulation of business generally and CSR in particular. The principle that

wrongs require remedy was well settled by the approval of the reasoning of Lord Holt CJ by

the House of Lords in Ashby v White248 when he pronounced in that case:

If the plaintiff has a right, he must of necessity have a means to vindicate and

maintain it, and a remedy if he is injured in the exercise or enjoyment of it,

and, indeed it is a vain thing to imagine a right without a remedy; for want of

right and want of remedy are reciprocal.249

Although the social responsibility of business is identifiable, the same cannot often be said of

the attainment of appropriate remedy. This is because, the mostly available forms of business

regulation are either self-regulatory schemes or soft law instruments. Hard law exists but

barely when compared with the preponderance of non-binding rules.

246
This is a Latin legal maxim meaning ‘where there is society, there is law’.
247
This is a Latin legal maxim meaning ‘meaning where there is a right infringed, the law provides a
remedy’.
248
Ashby v White (1703) 92 ER 126
249
It is accepted that this case turned on the pre-existence of legal rights it is posited that in cases
where social, cultural or other human rights are infringed injury requires remedying.

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4.4.1 Soft Law

Soft law is often a rule that reflects the statement of an accepted norm. The standards and

codes produced by international organisations are considered soft law.250 Soft laws are widely

subscribed but invariably don’t have the sanction of law. The production of a set of standards

or codes is invariably an indication of an accepted rule or a proposed best practice guideline.

It is usually only instructional and advisory but not enforceable. The response of business by

the adoption of soft law instruments was in tandem with business expectations. The

development of soft law instruments was in response to business apprehension of the effects

of mandating CSR – a matter of convenience for business before the last global financial

crisis. Tanusree Jain et al. though contend that studies based in emerging countries find that

‘exposure to institutional pressures from international markets, inter-governmental

organizations, and parent companies are important drivers of managerial motivations behind

corporate responsibility’251 Several international organisations have developed ‘codes’,

‘guidelines’, ‘principles’, ‘regulations’, and ‘standards’ to motivate MNCs of their members.

Amongst the first attempts at proffering a CSR standard came in 1977 with the Global

Sullivan Principles of corporate social responsibility which enjoyed some acceptance in the

U.S.252 Other standards such as ISO 2600. These documents largely considered as “soft law”,

are invariably crafted as admonishments.

250
See generally for discussion on soft law and hard law; C. M. Chinkin, ‘The Challenge of Soft Law:
Development and Change in International Law’ (1989) 38 (4) International and Comparative Law
Quarterly 850. Also, Tanusree Jain, Ruth V. Aguilera and Dima Jamali, ‘Corporate Stakeholder
Orientation in an Emerging Country Context: A Longitudinal Cross Industry Analysis’ (2016) Journal
of Business Ethics 1
251
Tanusree Jain et al., op cit
252
Rev. Leon Sullivan produced a newer version of his principles which were endorsed by UN
Secretary General Kofi Anan in 1999 urging companies around the world to adopt his 8-point
principles which were aimed principally at supporting “economic, social and political justice by
companies where they do business”.
See: https://www.heartland.org/sites/all/modules/custom/heartland_migration/files/pdfs/6789.pdf

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The varying degrees of accomplishments recorded by corporations in adopting CSR

principles can be explained by the lack of sanction for not complying with the codes that are

considered soft law instruments. Chinkin has contended, however, that the impotency of soft

law instruments is not always due to the lack of enforceability, but for lack of political will by

contracting states.253 Notwithstanding the lack of sanctions, organisations such as the OECD,

Transparency International (TI) and EITI have gained substantial membership from both

government and business that have subscribed to achieve international ‘best practice’ and

standardisation. Despite a plethora of criticisms, they have been hailed as useful and filling

the lacuna created by the absence of formal regulatory instruments with the power of

sanction.

The concerns that were raised sequel to the irreverent operations of big business in the mid-

1900s were not only economic but also political. This position is arguable given their

enhanced political influence arising from their increased wealth. As economic solutions were

being sought to the issues relating to the financial crisis, political considerations were

deliberated upon in tandem.254 The effect of globalisation and the imperativeness of

international efforts regarding CSR. The need for a concerted effort stems from the “common

social consciousness”255 that permeates the discussion on CSR. Brierley argued that “the

strength of any legal system is proportionate to the strength of such sentiment”.256

253
C. M. Chinkin, ‘The Challenge of Soft Law: Development and Change in International Law’
(1989) 38 (4) International and Comparative Law Quarterly 850. This study however accepted that
soft law is often a confirmation of established norms.
254
Chinkin op cit. This study maintains that political will is an influential factor when considering the
implementation of any international regulation adopted by state; whether binding or non-binding, lack
of political will can determine the level of acceptability.
255
DJ Harris, The Law of Nations Cases and Material in International Law (6th edn, Sweet and
Maxwell 2004) 4
256
n1 supra

113
The global nature of the issues raised in CSR discuss has made the need for an international

response impervious. The forte of any ‘international corporate law’ developed in response to

the global requirement for corporations to consider social issues may be limited primarily to

decarbonisation and climate change. This scenario is predictable considering the cross-border

impact of corporate activities and the transcendence of climatic conditions.

4.4.2 Hard Law

The development of hard law in regard to CSR regulation is a much recent development.

National laws seem to have taken the lead in this respect with the first debates surrounding

Section 172 of the UK Companies Act 2006. Most literature canvassing that states introduce

legislation mandating CSR are considered iconoclastic by classical economic theorists who

contend that CSR (in a free market economy) should be left to the caprices of business

owners who can do with their profits whatever they wish. This argument has been overtaken

by a growing body of research showing that CSR can be beneficial to corporations.

Another jurisprudential contention emerges concerning the right philosophical approach of

law to CSR, especially in international law. One of the foremost legal theorists Immanuel

Kant predicted international law union will be formed in 1887 when he described a “universal

right of mankind” and posited that interactions of mankind required a community of nations

to protect global interest;

Nature has enclosed them altogether within definite boundaries, in virtue of

the spherical form of their abode as a globus terraqueus; and the possession

of the soil upon which an inhabitant of the earth may live, can only be

114
 regarded as possession of a part of a, limited whole, and consequently as a

part to which everyone has originally a Right.257

This notion has been echoed more recently by Philip Allott who has argued that the global

community share a “common interest” which should be legislated in international law.258 The

ideological rigidity of capitalists is waning internationally by virtue of the various calls to

modify capitalism and CSR may be used for that purpose.

Gráinne de Búrca has explained the propensity of law to achieve a popular appeal in

international law due its applicability as (a) an “enabling force” to compel compliance, (b) a

“restraining force” to prevent an unwholesome act, (c) it “structures the parameters within

which its interlocutors operate – courts being amongst the most authoritative but legislators,

executives, administrators and other social actors being also included”, and (d) it has a

“symbolic dimension” which “entails the invocation of a claim to legitimacy”. 259 The form of

international law has been perceived in various ways including as a “bourgeois imperialist”

international law in criticism of the status quo.260 However, a comprehensive review of the

international law theory of Hugo Grotius261 by John T Parry, and the more contemporary

cultivation of it by Hersh Lauterpacht262 adjudge the present situation the outcome of the

“moral necessity of international law”.263 Rhys Jenkins has linked the recent “wave of

257
Immanuel Kant (trs), The Philosophy of Law (T & T Clark 1887) 226. The Latin expression
‘globus terraqueus’ means the ‘world globe’ and has Spanish origin (globo terráqueo).
258
P Allot, 1989 Josephine Onoh Lecture, ‘International Law and International Revolution: Re-
conceiving the World’ reprinted in P Alott, The Health of Nations (Cambridge, Cambridge University
Press 2005) 399
259
Gráinne de Búrca, ‘Rethinking Law in Neofunctionalist Theory’ (2005) 12 Journal of European
Public Policy 310, 319-320.
260
B S Chimni, ‘An Outline of a Marxist Course on Public International Law’ (2004) 17 Leiden
Journal of International Law 1-30, 1.
261
Hugo Grotius is recognised as the founding modern international law.
262
Hersch Lauterpacht, ‘The Grotian Tradition in International Law’ (1946) 23 Brit. YB Int’l L. 1
263
John T Parry, ‘Grotian Tradition in International Law’ (2013) 35 U. Pa. J. Int'l L. 299

115
regulations” to the corporate collapses witnessed since the turn of this century. 264 This

supports the position that state intervention is inevitable for achieving some sanity in the

financial sector in the event of corporate indiscretion or the forestalling of the same. The

import of section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 is a welcome ‘soft touch’ approach in

comparison with the judicial ‘hard touch’ in Indonesia.265 The idea of state regulation of CSR

through legislation is not in sync with the free market economic model practiced in Anglo-

American and other jurisdictions where the state’s role is providing the “suitable

environment’ for business and not regulating the participants in the economy. Traditionally,

businesses have self-governed its interaction with society, and this led to a wide range of

voluntary CSR models. Considered collectively, corporations did not harmonise their

activities and often did no sustain them beyond their convenience. In this circumstances,

especially when considering developing countries and their social needs sporadic and

uncoordinated approach to corporate-societal engagement was largely incoherent. Therefore,

one of the possible benefits of mandating CSR is the ability to coordinate and predict the

results and impact of corporate responses to social issues.

Internationally, no agreement of treaty status has been made, only ‘guidelines’ exist.

Fassbender has exposed the transformative development of the UN Charter towards greater

solidity while noting the abetment of international law scholars in this regard.266 The UN has

advocated and agreed several Conventions on development, political, social and economic

rights. The continental, regional, sub-regional and other overlapping multilateral efforts seem

264
Rhys Jenkins, ‘Globalization, Corporate Social Responsibility and poverty’ (2005) 81(3)
International Affairs 525, 526 for a historical perspective on attempts to regulate business in the last
century.
265
Patricia Waagstein advocates a mixed approach in her paper ‘The Mandatory Corporate Social
Responsibility in Indonesia: Problems and Implications’ 98 Journal of Business Ethics (2011) 455 –
466, 461
266
B. Fassbender, ‘The UN Charter as the Constitution of the International Community’ (1998) 34
Columbia Journal of Transnational Law 529.

116
to have led to a convoluted international law environment of competing developing norms or

“contending global metaprinciples of legal authority”.267

The soft law instruments that abound have at the least inspired the emerging legislation on

CSR. The first international attempts at producing a document with global adjuration are the

UN Global Compact 1999 and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises which

were “voluntary corporate responsibility initiatives” drawn “on international standards

enjoying widespread consensus”.268 The introduction of the UN Norms on the

Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises in 2003269 did

not ‘seem to be as influential as any of its other counterparts; business organizations have

objected to its somewhat unrealistically broad scope and binding references’270. The OECD

guidelines were improved and relaunched in 2011, the same year in which John Ruggie

published the culmination of his six-year research into business-society relations called the

UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Several spin-off and collateral

agreements were reached under the auspices of the major efforts addressing specific issues

267
Neil Walker, ‘Beyond Boundary Disputes and Basic Grids: Mapping the Global Disorder of
Normative Orders’ (2008) 6 (3-4) Int. J. Constitutional Law 373, 386.
268
‘The UN Global Compact and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises:
Complementarities and Distinctive Contributions’ a document by the UN Global Compact Office and
the OECD Secretariat, has been developed as an input to the OECD Investment Committee's work on
the implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises date 26 April 2005, 1. The
Reverend Leon H. Sullivan proposed ‘The Sullivan Global Principles of Corporate Social
Responsibility’ in 1999 to promote social, economic and political contribution by all corporations.
This work did not gain notoriety but largely incorporated CSR all popular principles.
269
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational
Corporations and other Business Enterprises with regard to Human Rights, (2003) U.N. ESCOR
C.H.R., 55th Sess., 22nd mtg., U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/Sub.2/2003/12/Rev.2.
270
Ilias Bantekas, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility in International Law’ (2003) Boston UIlLJ 309,
319

117
such as corruption and environmental degradation.271 CSR toolkits have also been produced

by many international organisations which are mainly geared at transnational corporations.

Generally, all the quasi-governmental international financial institutions and multilateral

organisations have developed CSR principles that they actively tout as international

benchmarks. The World Bank and IMF have adopted internal CSR guidelines including

publishing reports aimed at displaying ethical and transparency standards. International

Labour Organisation (ILO) Tripartite Declaration Concerning Multinational Enterprises and

Social Policy (the ‘ILO Tripartite Declaration’) 1977, which was amended in 2006 invited

“governments of States Members of the ILO, the employers' and workers' organizations

concerned and the multinational enterprises operating in their territories to observe the

principles embodied therein”.272 All of the early ‘guidelines’ were to be voluntarily adopted

and member states of international organisations such as the ILO only “invited” governments

to apply the guidelines. Though without the sanction of penalties, the inclination to

international convergence and the development of norms cannot be overlooked.

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)273 which held

in 1992 and more recently the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in

2012274 both promote the ideals of a standardised regulation of CSR albeit on soft law basis.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has reinvigorated development workers globally

and providing one more tool for achieving the elusive developmental targets in deprived

areas of the world. The new SDG incorporates the cooperation of business in achiving all the

271
United Nations Conferences on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
272
Preamble to the Tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and
Social Policy 2006.
273
This conference is popularly called the Earth Conference or the Rio Summit. It held in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil from 3 to 14 June 1992.
274
This summit commonly called the Rio Earth Summit 2012 was held from 13 to 22 June.

118
SDGs as proferred. The document urges states to be mindful of the role of business in

meeting the SDGs and states:

Private business activity, investment and innovation are major drivers of

productivity. inclusive economic growth and job creation. We acknowledge

the diversity of the private sector, ranging from micro-enterprises to

cooperatives to multinationals. We call on all businesses to apply their

creativity and innovation to solving sustainable development challenges.

We will foster a dynamic and well-functioning business sector, while

protecting labour rights and environmental and health standards in

accordance with relevant international standards and agreements and other

on-going initiatives in this regard, such as the Guiding Principles on

Business and Human Rights and the labour standards of ILO, the

Convention on the Rights of the Child and key multilateral environmental

agreements, for patties to those agreements.275

The importance of this statement lies in the deliberate attention to the UN instruments as a

means of achieving a global standardised perspective, action plan and outcome expectations

through the SDGs.276 Although this document is not a ‘regulation’ but its relevance in global

economic decisions and its subsequent impact on social and economic policy cannot be

ignored.

275
Paragraph 67 of the letter dated 12 August 2015 of the President of the UN Assembly to all the
Representatives of states of the UN on the outcome document following the UN summit on the
adoption of the SDGs dated 12 following the adoption of the SDGs.
276
It is arguable that the explanations proffered for achieving each of the ‘goals’ has underpinning
economic philosophies which is perpetuating of the current dominant free market system but seeking
sustainable means of doing it. The preamble to the outcome document reads in part: ‘We are
determined to protect the planet from degradation, including through sustainable consumption and
production, sustainably managing its natural resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so
that it can support the needs of the present and future generations.’ n47 supra

119
4.4.3 The Utility of Law

The utility of law in mandating CSR has not been obvious to many considering that it is a

contemporary phenomenon. In corporate governance, law has been instrumental in shaping

the behaviour of corporate managers and focusing them on the need to meet social concerns –

primarily its shareholders – through primary and subsidiary legislation issued, for instance,

under listing requirements in stock exchanges.

Law and Corporate Governance legislation

CSR can hardly be discussed without noting the role of those who manage corporations.

Therefore, there is an intertwining relationship between corporate governance and CSR.

While corporate governance deals with the rules concerning the appointment and operation of

corporate boards, CSR deals with the strategies used by corporations in responding to social

issues of which require moral judgements. The dividing line between these two subjects in

increasingly blurring, albeit, not to the extent of either losing identity. Kenya’s Code of

Corporate Governance Practices for Issuers of Securities to the Public 2015277 is an example

of this. The Code lists “communication with stakeholders”, “consistent shareholder and

stakeholders’ value enhancement” and “corporate social responsibility and investment” as

part of mandatory annual audits issues to be reported by listed and unlisted public

companies.278 The declared intendment of the new Code is “the adoption of standards that go

beyond the minimum prescribed by legislation” and the transformation “from the “Comply or

Explain” approach to “Apply or Explain”.279 Arguably, this is an attempt to regulate the

social responsibility of corporations through the agency of corporate governance

mechanisms. Corporate governance codes can therefore be used furtively as proxy for

277
This Code replaces the Corporate Governance Guidelines 2012
278
Clause 2.11.1 of the Code of Corporate Governance Practices for Issuers of Securities to the Public
2015
279
Ibid

120
mandating on the social responsibility of corporations and the use of “apply or explain” rules

in newly formulated or reformed codes is growing.280

Legislation has also been used in extracting conformity from corporate managers regarding

their fiduciary duties. Section 172 of the Companies Act 2006 has been considered in the

determination of the breach of the fiduciary duty of a company director in cases where the

“duty to promote the success” of companies is involved.281 In almost every case where

corporations have faced social responsibility issues, it has been the judgement or character of

the corporate managers that has been called into question. Regarding this, it means that

corporate managers cannot be left to their own devices. Mallin observed that “following

directly from the financial scandals of Enron, WorldCom, and Global Crossing, in which it

was perceived that the close relationship between companies and their external auditors was

largely to blame”282, the Accounting Industry Reform Act 2002 popular known as the

‘Sarbanes-Oxley Act’ was passed. This legislation was aimed at addressing the composition

and operation of corporate boards and their relationship with external reporting agents whose

independence was to be better assured.

Law and corporate sanctions

The enormity of corporate governance decisions and the potential large scale or critical

implication of the same requires the guiding hand of the law. All too often, the ‘invisible

hand’ does not wield the ‘stick’ that can ‘beat’ the managers into “conscientious

responsibility”. The Volkswagen case is a clear indication that conventional business

principles can be pursued in tandem with social responsibility ideals. The fact that an
280
For example, the “apply or explain” methodology was used in the King Code of Governance for
South Africa.
281
See: IT Human Resources Plc v Land, [2014] EWHC 3812 (Ch); Hughes v Weiss & Iuvus Ltd,
[2012] EWCH 2363 (Ch); Stimpson & Ors. v Southern Landlords Association and Ors, [2009] All ER
(D) 193 (May)
282
Christine A. Mallin, Corporate Governance (3rd edn, OUP 2010) 44.

121
“insider” was used to replace the head has generated some criticism. It has been argued that a

clean sweep of the management was required to restore consumer confidence in part. Since

corporate managers who are not necessarily owners now have the control and management of

corporations, the liability for corporate breaches are now falling upon them in an invigorated

resurgence of corporate civil and criminal liability. Civilly, the remuneration of corporate

managers is being regulated and criminally, they are being prosecuted for mismanagement

with criminal penalties. This turn of events ought to arouse the interest of corporate managers

who must now act in such a way as to avoid what could be costly penalties in civil and

criminal prosecutions. More and more fines are now being placed on corporate managers

rather than faceless companies.

Furthermore, where CSR is adopted and adapted thematically into corporate operations,

corporate managers would exercise discretion in matters before CSR issues are raised. Some

examples will be in the case of Exxon Mobil USA, Rana, Foxconn, World Com, etc. In each

of these cases, the involvement of corporate managers potentially could have led to a

different outcome. Human capacity failure rather than equipment or mechanical failure

usually leads to catastrophic consequences for both people and the environment.

The recruitment of high profile personnel into clearly designated CSR job roles such as

“Director of Corporate Social Responsibility” underscores the importance now being placed

by big corporations and especially MNCs on CSR. Christine Bader the former head of UN

business and human rights was recently recruited by Amazon to as its director of corporate

social responsibility who will be reporting to the director of sustainability.283

283
The paper noted that “Amazon has come under fire over the years for parsimonious corporate
giving, an unforgiving workplace environment and a lack of diversity in its hiring. Environmental
groups also have given the company low marks for the level of its clean-energy use in its data
centres.” See <http://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon/amazon-taps-former-un-adviser-to-
guide-corporate-responsibility/> last accessed 11 September 2015.

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Law and harmonisation of social policy

Increasingly, corporate managers are seeking to fulfil multiple – and sometimes conflicting -

imperatives; short-term objectives and long-term sustainability objectives, business and social

objectives, shareholder interests and stakeholder interests.284 The essence of CSR is to ensure

that business does not disregard social issues by applying minimalism. CSR does not negate

the making of profit, but it seeks to highlight any threat to the society as aa result of corporate

behaviour.

Importantly, the EU has launched a non-binding and non-financial reporting requirement for

large “public-interest companies” pursuant to Council Directive 2014/95/EU and in particular

its Clauses 2 and 3 states the objectives of the regulation to be the following;

(2) The need to improve undertakings' disclosure of social and

environmental information, by presenting a legislative proposal in this field,

was reiterated in the Commission communication entitled ‘A renewed EU

strategy 2011-14 for Corporate Social Responsibility’, adopted

on 25 October 2011.

(3) In its resolutions of 6 February 2013 on, respectively, ‘Corporate Social

Responsibility: accountable, transparent and responsible business behaviour

and sustainable growth’ and ‘Corporate Social Responsibility: promoting

society's interests and a route to sustainable and inclusive recovery’, the

European Parliament acknowledged the importance of businesses divulging

information on sustainability such as social and environmental factors, with

a view to identifying sustainability risks and increasing investor and

284
Do a graph or chart for this whereby the interacting sectors can be clearly depicted as overlaying
each other.

123
 consumer trust. Indeed, disclosure of non-financial information is vital for

managing change towards a sustainable global economy by combining

long-term profitability with social justice and environmental protection. In

this context, disclosure of non-financial information helps the measuring,

monitoring and managing of undertakings' performance and their impact

on society. Thus, the European Parliament called on the Commission to

bring forward a legislative proposal on the disclosure of non-financial

information by undertakings allowing for high flexibility of action, in order

to take account of the multidimensional nature of corporate social

responsibility (CSR) and the diversity of the CSR policies implemented by

businesses matched by a sufficient level of comparability to meet the needs

of investors and other stakeholders as well as the need to provide

consumers with easy access to information on the impact of businesses on

society.285

The objective of this legislation coming into law on 1 January 2017, was to homogenise the

mandatory reporting of CSR issues in the 27 European Union’s member states.286 It was also

expected to deliver “sustainable and inclusive recovery” after the financial crisis.287 In this

regard, it is opined that this measure is a departure from the non-mandatory regulatory regime

characteristic of capitalist economies but a necessary response in view of the apparent

weakness due to the non-interference of the state in regulating private corporation objectives.

285
Council Directive 2014/95/EU of 15 November 2014 amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards
disclosure of non-financial and diversity information by certain large undertakings and groups OJ
L330. The emphases are mine.
286
It is supposed that the UK will give effect to the result of the national referendum of 23 June 2016
whereby the country voted to leave the EU. It will be interesting to note whether there a ‘deal’
between EU and UK on trade will extend lead to keeping common corporate governance structures
such as expressed in Council Directive/2014/95/EU.
287
Clause 3, Directive 2014/95/EU.

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Law as instrument of curbing corporate power and impunity

Another utility of law regarding CSR is in its exclusive ability to curb corporate power.

Deregulation has often been seen as being “business friendly” and creative of an “enabling

environment” – until it leads to some form of financial crisis. States that have little or no

restriction on business is seen to be more receptive of corporations. It is not surprising that

most countries with the least restrictive legislation are developing countries from which

periodic news emanates of corporate indiscretion. The introduction of section 172 has been

generously credited to investor activism rather than societal pressures by Clark and Knight.288

This law “recognises interests of those other than stakeholders as legitimate concerns of the

board, but ignores any fundamental conflict between that position and shareholder value”289

and has been dubbed an “enlightened shareholder value”290 approach.291 Who was part of the

team that formulated the Company Law Reform Bill which precursored the Company Act

2006 noted they maintained the “traditional shareholder-centred philosophy of British

company law, but advocated a modernised version”.292 The use of the law, I suggest, was the

288
Gordon L. Clark & Eric R. W. Knight, ‘Implications of the UK Companies Act 2006 for
institutional investors and the corporate social responsibility movement’ (2009) 11 (2) University of
Pennsylvania Journal of Business Law 249. This position portrays shareholders as being responsive to
social issues prior the global financial crisis of 2008 – 2009. It is arguable also that the government of
UK foresaw the need to constrain corporate managers to act in public interest.
<http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=eric_knight> (accessed 22
February 2011)
289
Janet Williamson, Ciaran Driver and Peter Kenway, ‘Introduction’ in Janet Williamson, Ciaran
Driver and Peter Kenway (eds), Beyond Shareholder Value (TUC 2014) 14.
290
Frances O’Grady, ‘Workers’ Voice in Corporate Governance’ in Janet Williamson, Ciaran Driver
and Peter Kenway (eds), Beyond Shareholder Value (TUC 2014), 70.
291
For a fuller discussion on enlightened shareholder value and its origins into British Company Law
see; Paul L Davies, ‘Enlightened Shareholder Value and the New Responsibilities of Directors’ in
Lecture delivered at the University of Melbourne Law School (the inaugural WE Hearn Lecture) 4
October 2005. A copy is available at:
<http://law.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/1710014/94-
Enlightened_Shareholder_Value_and_the_New_Responsibilities_of_Directors1.pdf> accessed 3 July
2016.
292
ibid 3

125
only means of bringing to the fore matter issue of curbing corporate power which business

would have rather left relegated. There are other issues such as corporate remuneration in

large public and private organisations which are gathering public interest.293 Challenges to

corporate power more often has been from CSOs and not from government. In some cases,

states have been accused of being complicit in unethical dealings. 294 Through law the

attainment of social cohesion instead of anarchy is achievable.

Law and social value of jurisprudence

It is necessary to understand how law is conceptualised by the various persuasions and thus

applied to societal issues and, in particular, the present subject of CSR.295 Freeman posits that

“the close relationship of law and the social structure inevitably brings into prominence the

ideological context of legal theory”.296 This is because, law can also influence democratic

processes through the advancement of philosophies which when accepted become norms.

Dennis Patterson stated in the introduction of his composition on legal theory contained in his

book Philosophy of Law and Legal Theory that legal and economic scholarship can be

classified along “three lines of endeavor”; first is the substantive evaluation of law, secondly

the search for the “ideal purpose of the law” and finally the shared positivist approach by

293
In the UK the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports)
(Amendment) Regulations 2013 required annual reporting of directors’ remuneration and
subjected the same to shareholder voting. In the U.S., section 108 of the Jumpstart Our Business
Startups Act of 2012 (JOBS Act) mandates the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to review
Regulation S-K, which contains reporting requirements on executive remuneration among other
things.
294
In the case of Ken Saro-Wiwa for example, the Nigerian Government was firmly accused of
complicity and the use of agents of state coercion to achieve repression of peaceful demonstration.
The complicity of the state and corporate power combined effectively to silence the opposition
through the hanging of nine protesters in 1995 by the orders of the government of Nigeria.
295
See R. Cryer, T. Harvey and B. Sokli-Bulley with A. Bohm, Research Methodologies in EU and
International Law (Hart, 2011). They posit that a particular jurisprudential conviction may determine
the questions pose in legal research. In this research, it is accepted that the adopted legal theory or
jurisprudence would ultimately define the research approach and hence may determine this thesis.
296
M.D.A. Freeman (ed), Lloyd’s Introduction to Jurisprudence (8th edn, Sweet & Maxwell 2008) 1

126
querying law as it is found.297 Freeman argues incontrovertibly, that law need to be observed

in the context of the “place and time” to which it pertains.298 This is so because law must

pertain to a determinable community, and in the context of a period of history. Law will,

therefore, be subject to the social context and time. It is arguable that law is evolutionary due

to changing social factors whether sectional or collective within the society law applies. As

law has permeated all aspects of human existence, it is perhaps natural that the fundamentals

of classical natural law theory are rooted in political and social theories such as democracy

and social contract respectively. The principles of human rights based on the natural law

theory is now immanent in CSR discuss. Also, principles of mercantile law preceded the

modern international commercial law. In the making of laws, the demand for the

contemporaneous study of the characteristics of the subject of its preoccupation is increasing.

Thus, is can be easily observed that in contemporary legal discourse, incursion into other

disciplines is rampant giving legislation through democratic means universal acceptance of

which norms do not enjoy being subject to disagreeableness.

In business, law has played a key part, through democratic means, in formulating the

acceptable norms of society so as to bring conformity by business with social norms. Beyond

the legitimate pursuit of financial profit from business, employment rights for minority and

disabled groups, reduction of pollution levels, health and safety at work and other programs

aimed at improving the quality of life of the worker was made possible by law. Law has been

the means by which societal expectation become predictable. This enables social cohesion on

one hand and the pursuit of personal ambitions on the other. Law is an integral part of any

democratisation process seeking to synthesis societal conflicts. Votaw with appropriate

reason in my view, commented that;

297
Dennis Patterson (n1) ibid.
298
ibid 1

127
 The needs, demands and pressures of society can be communicated to business in a

non-mandatory fashion at first, leaving room for response through the mechanisms of

social responsibility. If the response is inadequate, inappropriate or not forthcoming,

society may communicate its wishes in the form of mandates.”299

Law as interpreted by judges as custos morum300

The general tenets of law tend to establish the ssense of what is fair and just for all members

of a sociaty. In internationall alw, this principle remains logical. Law in other words, upholds

what is considered the ‘overriding public interest’ which when ignored may lead to

consequences impact the polity negatively. When laws are made, judicial officers interprete it

by declaring impartially and independently the mind of the society.

From the early works of Aristotle, Kant, Aquinas and Hegel, adumbrations of many modern

legal theories and nuances of social and economic philosophies can be gleaned. The two

schools of thought that can be considered dominant in international law jurisprudence are

natural law and legal positivism, and both exhibit peculiar presuppositions and characteristic

arguments.301 I suppose that natural law theory provides a haven for CSR not least because

moral issues are irrevocably engaged in its discourse although it is commonly criticised for its

subjectivity and rarely objective standards. Social rights are a collective of individual human

rights and the nature of humans portrays the reasons for a natural law approach to CSR.

Although natural law theorists often rely on its religious connotations I do not make this

299
Dow Votaw, ‘Genius Became Rare: A Comment on the Doctrine of Social Responsibility Pt. II’
(1973) 15(3) California Management Review 5, 5.
300
Custos morum means the ‘custodian or guardian of morals’.
301
It is accepted by most scholars that modern variations or “extension” now abound. See Cryer et al.
op cit 10, who have identified ‘modern’ and ‘critical’ approaches like liberalism, Marxism, feminism
and constitutionalism with extensions to the main stream theories such as ‘law and economics’ as
established theories in modern jurisprudential enquiry. The difference between natural theorists and
the positivists is based on whether law is a product of deliberate human intellectual application as
positivists claim or, the indelible function of morality as claimed by natural law theorists.

128
reliance.302 Darbney Marshall exposed the arguments of the two sides in his bid to “formulate

a true definition of municipal law and to show its aim and essence”.303 Before expounding his

idea, Marshall dismissing natural law and legal positivist arguments and submitted that not all

laws are morally right and not all morally right things are law but that;

While the State is absolute and can enact whatever laws it pleases, and is in

no way bound to make law and morality synonymous, and has frequently in

the past divorced them as wide as the poles, yet it is only laws which are in

accord with morality that produce happiness and prosperity to the nation as

a whole, and for this reason the State is induced by self-interest and the

preservation of the nation to enact laws more and more in accord with right;

for to say a thing is right, is to say it promotes the welfare of the race, and to

say it promotes the welfare of the race is to say it is right.304

In contemporary literature, issues like feminism, neoliberalism and post-colonialism have

‘advanced’ the archaic theories. Also, some negations of classical jurisprudence can be

observed with novel suggestions being gratuitously expressed in modern legal literature;

critical theory,305 and governance theory are interesting.306

Although this thesis engages in a critical evaluation of the contemporary notion of CSR, an

overall eclectic approach is necessary in view of the multidisciplinary engagements of this

subject with many others, and the issue off morality. Noting the fundamental premise

inherent in the CSR debate that corporations ought to operate ethically exhumes the famous

302
The notions of deism, morality and universality natural laws are often associated with this theory.
303
T. Dabney Marshall, ‘What is Law?’ (1893) 27American Law Review 540.
304
T Dabney Marshall op cit 546
305
See for the rambunctious essay of Wendy Brown, Edgework: Critical Essays on Knowledge and
Politics (Princeton University Press, 2005)
306
C Möllers, ‘European Governance: Meaning and Value of a Concept’ (2006) 43 Common Market
Law Review 313

129
debate in 1957 between two eminent jurists H.L.A Hart and Lon Fuller on the relationship

between law and morality.307 Richard Branson is quoted as saying that ‘while the government

of the day sets the laws, morality is down to the chief executive’. 308 John Mackie has

suggested that the notion that law and morality are not incompatible could aptly be described

as “a third theory of law” saying it is an attempted bridge of the chasm between the

dichotomy of positivism and naturalism.309

4.4.4 Regulation CSR in international law

Article 38 (1) of the Statute of International Court of Justice empowers the International

Court of Justice (ICJ) to hear cases and decide them ‘in accordance with international law’.310

The court shall apply ‘international conventions, whether general or particular, establishing

rules expressly recognized by the contesting states’ or ‘international custom, as evidence of a

general practice accepted as law’ or ‘the general principles of law recognized by civilized

nations’.311 However, the applicability of international law to CSR is curtailed by two issues;

corporations are not state parties to which international law applies, and if a state vicariously

pursues a case on behalf of its citizens – natural or corporate – the case still needs to be based

on international law formed in one of the acceptable ways such as international conventions

or acceptable international custom or general practices regarded as law. CSR has not gained

the consensus to be enshrined in any international convention, nor gained such patronage to

be an accepted general custom nor practiced as generally accepted law. The failure to

307
H.L.A Hart was a Professor of Jurisprudence, University of Oxford and Lon Fuller a Professor of
General Jurisprudence at Harvard University. Hart was an avowed legal positivist who advocated the
“separation” of law and morality. Fuller on the other hand opposed the projection of law as lacking
moral intuition.
308
James Ashton, “Which is Worse, Ripping Off Nations or the Customers?” Evening Standard 12
June 2014 ,14
309
John Mackie, ‘The Third Theory of Law’ (1977) 7 (1) Philosophy & Public Affairs 3
310
Article 38(1) Statute of the International Court of Justice
311
ibid

130
overcome these constraints has led CSR to be articulated in international guidelines that do

not have the force of sanction being developed outside the ambit of Article 26 of the Vienna

Convention on the Law of Treaties.312 Hartmut Hillgenberg has observed that states that enter

into non-treaty agreements avoid the implication of the ‘pacta sunt servanda principle, and

therefore also the legal consequences arising from non-fulfilment’ of arising commitments.313

This makes the international law regime concerning the regulation of MNCs is fraught with

some challenges. One of the challenges is the ever-increasing corporate power and the further

entrenchment of capitalist orientation worldwide. Ilias Bantekas underestimated the

entrenchment of capitalist orientation in the U.K. when he assumed concerning the Corporate

Responsibility Bill 2003 that its “adoption is almost certain”.314 Brierley has attributed the

lack of a “common social consciousness” and a “shared responsibility” for a “common life”

limits the development of international law.315 Additionally, Brierly commented that “the

character of the law of nations is necessarily determined by that of the society within which it

operates, and neither can be understood with the other”.316 The International Court of

Justice’s (ICJ) issued guidance on its website confirming that only state parties may bring

actions before it, but states may initiate action vicariously on behalf of its citizens or other

312
The short Article simply states the pacta sunt servanda principle: “Every treaty in force is binding
upon the parties to it and must be performed by them in good faith”. Article 26 of the United Nation
Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 23 May 1969, United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1155, p.
331, available at: <http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6b3a10.html> accessed 02 August 2015. Pacta
sunt servanda means ‘agreements must be kept’.
313
Hartmut Hillgenberg, ‘A Fresh Look at Soft Law’, (1999) 10 (3) European Journal of International
Law 499, 513.
314
Ilias Bantekas, ‘CSR in International Law’ (2003) Boston UIlLJ 309, 326. Up until 2015 the U.K.
did not pass any law of equivalent import save the insertion of section 172 of the Companies Act 2006
and other regulations by secondary legislation to do with further reporting requirements maily of
publicly listed U.K. companies.
315
J. L. Brierly, Brierley: The Law of Nations (6th ed 1963) 41
316
n5 ibid

131
organisations within its jurisdiction against another state for breaches of treaty and

convention obligations.317

Many international and multilateral organisations have sprung up over the last century. These

organisations have gained extensive notoriety and have grown in influence. The influence of

these organisations materialise as their principles are adopted globally by states and other

organisations. An example is Nigeria’s legislation of the principles of the Extractive Industry

Transparency Initiative (EITI) via the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

EITI).318 Other organisations produce indices and reports that have become influential in

gaining perspective on doing international business and cannot be ignored.319

The issue of jurisdictional conceptualisation in international law, in view of the transnational

operations of big corporations poses a challenging problem for International corporate law

and CSR in particular. However, MNCs are deemed not subject to international rules and

redress against them can only be effectively brought in the national courts. It is not surprising

that states have resorted to urging businesses to do more in the communities they operate. In

the UK, it was reported recently that government minister urged “large businesses” to use

their influence to “engage” in the campaign disabusing the crime of female genital mutilation

(FGM) abroad and on other social issues.320 This step yields some results.

Through the use of regulatory instruments such as legislation, states have extended their

influence over how businesses interact with society. Business does not always receive

317
See Q2 ‘Who Can Submit Cases to the Court’ Frequently Asked Questions on ICJ website:
<http://www.icj-cij.org/information/index.php?p1=7&p2=2#2> accessed 02 August 2015.
318
The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) Act 2007
319
The Corruption Perceptive Index, Human Rights Abuse reports of Amnesty International, have all
become relevant and gained persuasive value.
320
Martin Bentham, “Join the fight against FGM, minister urges businesses” Evening Standard
(London, 16 July 2014) 10. On page 14 the editorial of the paper captioned “How to fight FGM” the
following is stated: “In Britain, the battle against FGM starts with the police, doctors and teachers on
the front line. But the whole of society can act – and has a duty to do so.”

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regulatory impositions without some resistance in a bid to regain ‘freedom’ from the state.

Most sectors of business – even those in fierce commercial contest – unite for the purpose of

maintaining less state intervention in business.

Business continues to demand less state regulation despite a widespread view that several

corporate collapses are rooted in unethical behaviours including overambitious risk-taking

and corporate greed. Corporations have also been accused of knowingly leveraging assets

beyond indemnification thereby exposing investors funds to uninsured risks. Furthermore,

executive remuneration reached points which were generally considered disproportionate

while corporations declaring untrue financial reports. The combined effects of the foregoing

have individually and collectively been considered responsible for the global financial crisis

of 2008 – 2009 making some question how the free market economy and capitalism has

escaped without serious damage although some calls for transforming capitalism has been

aired. Jan Scholte summarised this reaction when he stated that;

Dissatisfaction with the harms and omissions of neoliberalism also has of

late generated greater interest in transformist approaches to globalisation.

For example, radical socialists have seen the contradictions of neoliberalism

as an opportunity to transcend capitalism. “Dark green” environmentalists

have promoted eco-centric alternatives to neoliberal economists. Religious

revivalists have offered spiritual renewal as an antidote to the cultural voids

that privatisation, liberalisation and deregulation are not designed to fill.

However, the transformist ideas of these kinds have extended little beyond

133
 fringe movements that remain very far removed from the core regimes that

govern the global economy.321

This sentiment, I suggest, is not a call for the outright rejection of capitalism but the reform

of business from extreme or exclusive capitalism and the induction of social values in the

way business is done. Porter and Kramer have said, and I agree that “capitalism is under

siege” but still remains the irreplaceable and “unparalleled vehicle for meeting human needs,

improving efficiency, creating jobs and building wealth”.322 By whatever lens the relevance

and importance of capitalism is viewed, their continued existence supports government social

and financial objectives. As Jem Bendell has posited, participation, cooperation and

partnership are frequently occurring concepts in debates regarding corporate objective, social

needs and development.323

Corporations have advocated for independence from state regulation to realise social

objectives without their activities being mandated. Business claims that as they interact with

stakeholders – suppliers, employers, community - what is good for business will ultimately

be good and beneficial for those they interact with. In the same vein, legislation, it has been

argued will increase transactional costs that are inevitably transmitted to the consumer of

products. The increasing costs will deter new entrants into business who will consider any

claim on profits for social good as veiled taxation and a controlling tool by which the state

determines ‘how’ private funds should be used for ‘public good’. Since business accepts that

‘doing good’ is worthwhile and would engage voluntarily in CSR activity, it has been

321
Jan Aart Scholte, ‘The Sources of Neoliberal Globalization’ (2005) Overarching Concerns
Programme Paper No. 8 (UNRISD, Geneva)23
322
M Porter and M Kramer Creating Shared Value Harvard Business Review, January – February
2011, 4
323
Jem Bendell ‘In whose name? Accountability of Corporate Social Responsibility’ Development in
Practice, Vol. 15 3 & 4 (2005), 363

134
suggested that legislation can help business “focus” efforts appropriately without being

inhibitive of business.324

Utting and Marques are correctly of the view that the global financial crisis of 2008 – 2009

exposed ‘a narrow focus on aspects of development related to particularly visible forms of

environmental degradation, eco-efficiency, occupational health and safety in TNC affiliates

and top-tier suppliers, child labour in the supply chain, and community assistance’ by CSR

advocates’ to the detriment of the financial sector.325

Predictably, several efforts actions have been made to discuss and resolve global economic

and financial issues. The UN in its preamble declared the interest of its members; “to employ

international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all

peoples”.326 It further declared as part of its purposes the achievement of “international

cooperation in solving international problems of an economic…character”327 and

“harmoni[s]ing the actions of nations in the attainment of these common ends”328. Besides the

obvious interest in ensuring the maintenance of “international peace and security” 329 and the

benefits of a war-free community, the enjoyment of political stability seems to be measurable

to the extent of the enjoyment of social cohesion and economic independence of the citizens

of the world.

However, Horn has traced the origins of multilateral efforts at regulating multinational

enterprises (MNEs) as arising from the complaint of Chile to the Economic and Social

324
Roger L. Martin, ‘The Virtue Matrix: Calculating the Return on Corporate Responsibility’ Harvard
Business Review on Corporate Responsibility (2003) 86-90
325
Peter Utting and José Carlos Marques, ‘Introduction: The Intellectual Crisis of CSR’ in Peter
Utting and José Carlos Marques (eds) Corporate Social Responsibility and Regulatory Governance
(UNRISD and Palgrave Macmillan 2010) 2
326
Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations (UN Charter)
327
Chapter 1, Article 1(3) UN Charter
328
Chapter 1, Article 1 (4) UN Charter
329
Chapter 1, Article 1 (1) UN Charter

135
Council of the UN in respect of ITT in 1972 that led to the first UN-mandated study on the

role of multinationals corporations on development.330 Another of such efforts was convened

on 3 June 1977 between “the Group Eight” (the G8) industrialised nations and the “Third

World” countries was the Conference on International Economic Cooperation (CIEC).

Reporting on the outcome of the conference, Jahangir Amuzegar noted that, “a continued

dialogue between the industrial countries and the developing nations is … a matter of global

welfare, if not survival. An appropriate and convenient forum for such a discussion is surely

within the United Nations”.331 The impact of multinational corporations has since then, not

escaped the attention of the UN. In May 2011, the UN Special Representative for Business

and Human Rights, Professor John Ruggie, published the much-awaited UN Principles for

Business and Human Rights.332 The new principles were commended to business as a

complement to efforts of UN Secretary-General Kofi Anan that resulted in the production of

the Global Compact (1999/2000). As MNCs in particular grow in financial and political

power the focus of international organisations at providing an ‘international’ regulatory

scheme has not concretised but is not without foundation with the emergence of UN

guidelines and codes. It is noteworthy that the so-called ‘Ruggie Principles’ was reported six

years after it was commissioned.333 This document is titled the United Nations Principles for

330
Norbert Horn, ‘International Rules for Multinational Enterprises: The ICC, OECD, and ILO
initiatives’ (1981) 30 The American Law Review 923, 923.
331
Jahangir Amuzegar, A Requiem for the North South Conference Foreign Affairs (pre-1986)1977
1992. Amuzegar was an Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
332
The United Nations Principles for Business and Human rights: Implementing the United Nations
‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework now popularly referred to as “The Ruggie Principles”
(2011) Report No. A/HRC/17/31 dated 23 May 2011.
<http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/TransnationalCorporations/Pages/Reports.aspx> Last accessed 28
May 2015.
333
John Ruggie was commissioned in 2005 and he delivered his report and the guidelines in 2011. In
a fast-paced global environment intervening factors such as the global financial crisis potentially
distort the findings as a result of emergent novel business practices or other developments.

136
Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and

Remedy’ Framework was published in 2011.

Regarding the environment and operational disasters, consumer groups have clearly that

impact the environment and employees. Notwithstanding the efforts of business at reducing

or remediating impacts to the environment, the voluntary endeavour of business often does

not equate what is commensurate to repair damages to the environment and communities

which are resultant from their activities.334 Recently the UK Parliamentary Committee on

Business, innovation and Skills published a report condemning working conditions in Sports

Direct, a company that was brought to the spotlight due to incessant workers’ and trade union

complaints. The Committee chair stated that Sports Direct “working practices are closer to

that of a Victorian workhouse than that of a modern, reputable high street retailer”. 335 In

holding corporations accountable in international law, no international statute has developed

enough teeth to compensate for breaches perhaps the weaknesses of the individual states

cannot translate to strength in the international forum.

4.4.5 Criticisms of legal regulation of CSR

Some criticisms levied against CSR can be debunked somewhat easily by pleading social

good or overall public interest. If it is however, accepted that CSR is useful, the means of

achieving it through legislation has attracted greater criticism despite the benefits of

legislating CSR.

The main criticism is that it usurps the ‘freedom’ the market enjoys to determine the use of

the resources for production. This is not entirely correct. CSR only determines the rationale

334
Rhys Jenkins, ‘Globalization, Corporate Social Responsibility and Poverty’ (2005) 81(3)
International Affairs 525, 525 quoting Oxfam, Trading Away Our Rights: Women Working in Global
Supply Chains (Oxford: Oxfam International, 2004).
335
‘Sports Direct staff 'not treated as humans', says MPs' report’ BBC News (Derby, 22 July 2016)
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-36855374> accessed 22 July 2016.

137
behind business decisions and does not seek to limit it by the giving of consideration to wider

issues. This in itself should be an advantage for business for in the consideration of all risk

factors such as loss of business from reputational damage, business is ensuring a safer

investment.

It is correct that business have been confounded with many rules to observe and doing

business in different countries may mean adopting different standards. This also increases the

cost of compliance. Corporate managers have the task of balancing shareholder value

considerations with social needs that they are encouraged to be averted to and once adopted

standards need to be embedded for effectiveness. This criticism is not tenable in modern

business due to the availability of a growing stream of CSR ‘practitioners’ can implement

standards for companies. At this time, there is no dearth of availability of ‘experts’ except in

developing countries – a case that is fast changing. In the long run, business will adapt to the

new laws just as it has to labour, gender, disability, health and safety as legislation brings

clarity and certainty business operations.336

The state, the corporations and business can benefit from the proper regulation of CSR. States

can achieve harmonisation and standardisation of corporate activities with state objectives. In

this regard, a systemic and formalised regulatory regime can be achieved through the

enactment of regulations that promote development activities. I call this the ‘development

case’ for CSR. On the part of business, having set rules will promote calculated risk taking by

providing certainty of the investment climate. Society, in turn, will have recourse to

democratic processes of providing regulation for business.

336
Wayne Visser and Chad Kymal, ‘Integrated Value Creation (IVC): Beyond Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) and Creating Shared Value (CSV)’ (2015) 8 (1) Journal of International
Business Ethics 29.

138
A major criticism of legislating CSR is that its mandation will be inhibitive of innovation,

creativity and efficiency in business. This criticism is not justified in view of some research

into the benefits of CSR to corporations. In the first instance, a company that does not imbibe

CSR principles will likely risk reputational damage and comparative advantage. Profit

making is not abhorred by society but the seeming rapaciousness involved in corporate

activities. Antitrust laws made to engender competition and monopolistic mergers and

acquisitions is usually done in the public interest to mitigate the likely unfavourable

consequences of human greed. CSR costs when borne by all companies is not likely to

expose any particular companies to adverse profit making as costs are usually passed on to

consumers who research have shown will likely shun cheaper products if produced

unethically; this is in line with the widening debate about ethical consumption.

Visser and Kymal inist that CSR and business profitability is compaticble if firms adopt “a

methodology for turning the proliferation of societal aspirations and stakeholder expectations,

including numerous global guidelines, codes, and standards covering the social, ethical, and

environmental responsibilities of business, into a credible corporate response without

undermining the viability of the business”.337

The transaction cost argument against CSR and especially its mandation seems to be losing

steam. Recent empirical evidence suggests that CSR practices can yield both immediate and

long-term benefits for corporations. With an established “business case” for CSR,

corporations could be saddled with moral imputation and sanction imposed on corporations

for defaulting any legal standards imposed on them. Legal standards will be viewed as “risk”

by corporations who must compute the cost of “accidental” default. It is argued therefore that

where business cannot compute the cost of default it may be restricted from investments.

337
Wayne Visser and Chad Kymal op cit 29. The authors have proposed a methodology for this
purpose which integrates CSR, sustainability, and Creating Shared Value (CSV) concepts.

139
Declaring business requirements by legislation reduces the risk and makes by making it

identifiable and so more ‘calculable’ for business.

One of the main criticisms against mandating CSR is that states apply it as surreptitious

taxation. In a case where taxation is net of profits, a company may consider the CSR ‘tax’

impinging on profits. This argument can be countered easily since business passes any

taxation in this way as ‘costs’ to the consumer.

A thematic adoption of CSR best practice could, therefore, be in the long-term survivability

of corporations through the employment of managers who will accept and assume the role of

the “conscience” of the corporation. CSR should not only aim at the physical issues of the

environment and stakeholder engagement but first with the reorientation of corporate

governors who should be encouraged to imbibe tenets of socially responsible operations

rather than meeting legal necessities.

4.5 The business case for CSR and regulation

The business case for CSR merits further mention because it is the most touted criticism

against legislating CSR. It is also important because CSR can be more widely accepted by

business if a conviction as to its compatibility with business can be shown to some degree of

certitude. Eberstadt has argued correctly, that CSR has been practised for well over 2,500

years and is only today a contemporary manifestation of archaic custom now being promoted

actively by CSOs.338 He posits that business operations has historically been focused on

Nicholas N. Eberstadt ‘What History Tells us about Corporate Responsibility’ (Autumn 1973) 7
338

Business and Society Review/Innovation 73

140
looking after its customers as much as its recourses allow while pursuing is main interest.339

With the formalisation through legislation of business relations between corporations and its

many contracting parties, laws have been developed on labour relations, human rights and the

environment. All these laws and others have impelled corporations to align towards achieving

socially responsible conduct. Husted and Salazar point out that stakeholder groups have used

several means including coercion in making corporations accede to CSR.340

One may ask if any business in any free market economy today can ignore CSR in its

dealings with its customers? Should business be self-regulating? In the case of large

corporations especially those that operate transitionally the answer will most probably be in

the negative to both questions. In view of this and without rehearsing the benefits of CSR, the

impact of legislation in reference to the business case of CSR and as a means of regulation is

explored further.

Firstly, I posit that the introduction of CSR as a strategy for meeting social concerns does not

negate the viability of corporations. The reasons are that CSR is in the interest of business.

This I suggest is one of the reasons it is being carried out. Corporations started with

philanthropism but are now through CSR being urged to direct their activities in a more

directional and cohesive way. CSR has been embraced by a large amount of business and is

not likely to be banished as a means of strategic business management.

It is accepted that law must account for the golden rule of profit making and give it due

regard without granting an injurious largesse to business. In finding the right approach to the

question of administering normative CSR objectives the issue of governance rears its head.

What is the best approach to take in order to achieve enthusiastic participation of all

339
M Porter and M Kramer ‘The competitive advantage of corporate Philanthropy’ Harvard Business
Review on Corporate Responsibility (2003) 30.
340
Crane and others, The Oxford Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility (OUP, Oxford 2008)
349

141
interested CSR actors – corporations, state and civil society – in regulating CSR? Surely, not

self-regulation which cannot thrive in the modern world without the delimitation of

boundaries based on the acknowledgement and protection of rights, the respect for

environmental concerns and remedying breaches when they occur. That function is best

served by law not norms set by business for society but one made in the wider interest of

society as a whole.341

Not all business-led social responsibility projects can be dismissed as unsatisfactory. The

joint government, civil society and industry initiative on certifying diamonds to ensure those

from conflict regions are not sold to finance wars was successful. It led to the development of

a set of procedures which became known as the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. 342

Industry is also engaging with government and civil society in other industries such as oil and

gas, renewable energy, agricultural products and technology.343 There are still unresolved

issues; the vigorously campaign against the use of elephant tusks to make ornaments and

local artefacts in Southeast Asia. Ivory from elephants attract a high value in Asian countries

where the trade in illicit trade in elephant ivory is nearly resulting in the extinction of the

African elephants. However, it seemed that self-regulatory norms can precipitate into law.

341
The regulation of CSR by the state or other independent institution such as a UN body or the
OECD does not guarantee compliance. Indeed, the indicted management of Volkswagen and Enron
and other collapsed corporations that institutionalised unethical practices contrived their machinations
in a regulated environment. It is however argued that the regulatory environment was not robust
enough. In the case of the U.S. the passage of the Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor
Protection Act 2002 (also called the Oxley-Barnes Act 2002) in reaction to the collapse of WorldCom
and Enron testifies to this.
342
This scheme was sanctioned by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 in 2003
343
FairTrade is popular for engaging business in agricultural sector. Greenpeace UK concentrates on
the natural world and environmental issues.

142
David Kershaw has demonstrated the path of self-regulatory schemes which later become

normalised and then entrenched into law.344

In the U.S., shareholders’ interest has always been advocated and further made sure in the

case of Dodge v. Ford Motor Company when it was said that:

A business corporation is organized and carried on primarily for the profit

of the stockholders. The powers of the directors are to be employed for that

end. The discretion of directors is to be exercised in the choice of means to

attain that end, and does not extend to a change in the end itself, to the

reduction of profits, or to the non-distribution of profits among stockholders

in order to devote them to other purposes.345

This position which contradicts the compatibility of business objective and social objectives,

as adjudicated in 1919 is hardly tenable. What should preoccupy legal jurists and reformers is

how best law can serve the purpose of both business and society.

Secondly, therefore, I suggest that the importance of regulating CSR is underscored by the

need to meet two seemingly opposing and contentious socio-economic objectives. The first is

the creation of an enabling environment for business to thrive to maintain economic stability

and growth nationally and internationally. As early noted, in capitalist economies the popular

stance is to deregulate the economy and relinquish any ‘state control’ to the forces of demand

and supply of the free market. The second objective is to ensure that in the process of

economic activity, societal and environmental needs are met, with the inclusion of profit

344
David Kershaw, ‘Corporate Law and Self-Regulation’ (2015) LSE, Law, Society and Economy
Working Papers 5/2015 <https://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/law/wps/WPS2015-05_Kershaw.pdf>
accessed 20 October 2015. This treatise on the UK Takeover Code and Panel shows the path from
self-regulation to market-controlled regulation to state regulation via Sections 952-956 Companies
Act 2006.
345
Dodge v. Ford Motor Company 170 NW 668 (Mich 1919)

143
making as the foremost and fundamental corporate objective and motivator. The crux of the

main debate of CSR is how best to meet these opposing but mutually dependent views. Apart

from corporations, CSR is of importance to states seeking ways of moderating between

society and business while pursuing its developmental objectives.

The question that faces states, especially those that have embraced free market principles is;

to what extent should the government (through legislation) intervene in the private pursuit of

profit? The purpose of the law as determined by various schools of thought will be

considered in this chapter. Some legal theories relevant to this research will be adopted as

tools for investigating the viability of the proposal on mandating CSR in view of various

national and international factors.

Although the factors and issues that are considered by the international community in the

regulation of CSR apply to states mutatis mutandis, it is not far-fetched to conclude that states

face identical issues. After all, the concerns of states are raised primarily when CSR issues

emerge under their jurisdictional. A growing practice can be observed, as CSR issues take

global dimensions on account of the fact that those involved usually transact transnationally

thereby giving rise to interest at not only state level but at regional and global levels.

A unique advantage of law over self-regulation is in its speed to command public interest,

and the legitimate expectation of the complains of those affected by it. A legislation on CSR

will bring even greater focus to ensuring the alignment of conscience of business to society’s

needs. Once a law is passed, its enforcement is expected. This expectation creates the

common consciousness required to ignite condemnation for its breach by society and

legitimises sanction.

The objective of regulation, at least in CSR is to identify and designate corporate behaviour

that is in the interest of society as a whole and urge business to adhere. In international law,

144
the same is true save for the fact that there are issues that are peculiarly global such as climate

change and resource sustainability. Invariably, CSR identifies these issues which

coincidentally are also developmental issues. CSR can therefore be used to align business-

society priorities for the ultimate objective of a sustainable global environment. The recent

policy of charging 5 pence for non-biodegradable shopping bags in UK is not an economic

decision as it is of ecological considerations.346

Steven Ratner has identified some “shortcomings of placing human rights duties solely on

states, the primary holders of international legal obligations”.347 He further suggested that

corporate civil and criminal liability principles in domestic law can be relied on in

international law so that “if a corporation's internal decision making process results in

morally irresponsible behavio[u]r, the corporation may be blameworthy, either civilly or

criminally”.348

There is no pure form of capitalism or socialism as practiced around the world; states have

some elements of both philosophies in their socio-political and economic realities.

Interactions between the state and the society or components thereof (such as business) leads

to the formation of norms and regulations to delimit acceptable behaviour. These interactions

in the contemporary world is extremely complex, not the least due to the high volume of

innovations and inventions that threaten the status quo constantly demanding the

reformulation of social and economic policies. The paradigm of the socio-economic

environment can best be described as constantly evolving and mutating.

346
From 5 October 2015 the UK Government introduced a charge for single-use carrier bags for big
retailers. It reduced considerably the size of non-biodegradable compounds and led to the
implementation of other social projects. See generally the Department for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carrier-bag-charges-retailers-responsibilities
347
Steven R. Ratner, ‘Corporations and Human Rights: A Theory of Legal Responsibility’ (2001) 111
Yale Law Journal 443, 461.
348
ibid 474.

145
Taken together, recent developments point towards the convergence of the two opposing

sides regarding regulation of CSR. Some issues forcing a convergence of thought and action

towards greater regulation of corporate activities in the sphere of their social responsibilities

include increasing notions of neocapitalism, climate change and the ease of social

mobilisation as a result of advancement of information technology. These issues are forcing a

consensus of opinion towards state or international regulation of issues now commonly

associated with business-society relations.

In the absence of an ‘international corporate law framework, national courts and not an

international court administers and interpret the law concerning corporations.349 The

boundaries and influences peddled by non-state actors in international law (often representing

regional interests) are increasingly blurring. Regional courts and other multinational

organisations have set the pace for national courts where there is reluctance due to political

pressures.350 The ICJ has no jurisdiction in corporate matters except in cases sponsored by

member states. In this scenario, although it cannot be stated that there is definite international

corporate law, one may say with some alacrity that convergence is foreseeable.

4.6 Summary

The conclusions which can be reached with regards to regulations shows that nationally and

internationally, the behaviour of business has kindled the development of the CSR concept.

The response of business through philanthropic self-regulatory schemes have been usurped

by society’s robust engagement with arguments for more stringent state-regulation.

349
Eyal Benvesti and George W. Downs, ‘National Courts, Domestic Democracy and the Evolution
of International Law’ [2009] EJIL 59
350
SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ors. ECW/CCJ/APP/08/09 (JUDGMENT N°
ECW/CCJ/JUD/18/12) delivered 14 December 2012.

146
Underlying philosophical and economic arguments based on ideological assumptions have

also emerged; at the heart of the issue being whether CSR serves to promote business or not.

The use of codes and other assessment tools is becoming popular with business. There is also

some shift from voluntary reporting to mandatory reporting requirements. Tracey Rembert

has identified three factors that has instigated the use of mandatory reporting schemes for

business.351 She includes an “increasing global demand by investors for inclusion of

sustainability data in company reporting”. The “relentless increase in environmental and

social risks” and “the very proliferation and success of voluntary initiatives” whose

competition has led to “continuous improvement” in corporate reporting despite a “reporting

fatigue”.352 All these factors have raised the relevance of CSR beyond the interest of states

alone to that the international community.

A thorny issue still remains; the use of legislation for regulating CSR for business. I suggest

against a prevalent opinion that the utility of law confirms the desirability of firmly rooting

CSR in national and international law. Corporate law can serve the purpose of defining CSR

in alignment with corporate objectives. The effective enforcement of standards can upturn the

assumption that the law inhibits rather than furthers economic growth and social

development. In suppose that in the final analysis law can serve to balance the interest of the

unequally disposed society from an increasingly powerful corporate world.

Although the future is opaque or at best vague, a prediction can still be made following from

the observation of the trend of legal reform that has followed the fervid demands for change

in areas such as racial, sex, and minority discrimination, and more recently corporate

351
Tracey Rembert, ‘The ‘M’ Word: No, not Materiality’, Ethical Boardroom (Spring 2006) 103. The
‘M’ word alluded to in the article is ‘Mandatory’. See;
<https://issuu.com/ethicalboardroom/docs/ethical_boardroom_spring_2016_editi?e=14762375/35393
074> accessed 5 July 2016.
352
ibid

147
remuneration in the banking sector etc. It is important to note that corporate law,

traditionally, determined the adjectival and not the substantive issues of companies; it dealt

with the processes and not the objectives of corporations. Corporations were established by

promoters who determined the use to which to employ their private resources for risked

returns. Contemporary CSR, however, seeks to determine how and to what end corporations

should be run by requiring new obligations to meet certain social needs, though one thing that

cannot be regulated on is the conscience of corporate managers.353 As discussed one of the

most contested issues of CSR is the manner in which and to what extent corporations should

be regulated as business protects jealously their licence on profit-making while society

demands greater consideration from business. Business while seeking to maximise profit are

always looking for ways to reduce costs, so that a CSR regulatory model which will promote

a business case is more likely to receive the approval of business.

Having discussed the generality of regulating CSR, developing countries face peculiar

problems that challenge and buoy the prospects of CSR and these will now be examined in

the next chapter.

353
On how, by introducing socially responsible was of investing capital and determining the outcome
of corporate endeavour by imposing the use of corporate income on social projects in the public
interest.

148
 CHAPTER FIVE

CSR and Development in Emerging Economies

5.1 Introduction

In the last chapter, the various regulatory instruments and environment in which corporations

operate nationally and internationally was generally discussed. However, the economic

environment and regulatory regimes of developing countries reveal some peculiarities that

make CSR relevant. In terms of their development, emerging economies face daunting

challenges. The socio-cultural influences on the economy, immaturity of political institutions

and relatively poor economic production highlights the chasm between with developed

countries.

Although the differences between development and underdeveloped countries is visible,

“there is no criterion (either grounded in theory or based on an objective benchmark) that is

generally accepted”.354 Despite the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), the

World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approaching the issue of classifying

the countries in terms of development “very differently” they all “designate about 20–25

percent of countries as developed”.355 The Gross National Income of countries per capita is

commonly used to measure the development of nations. The Human Development Indices

(HDI) was developed and used by the U.N. to stress that human impact rather than economic

growth should be used. Whichever index is used the dichotomy between nations north and

354
Lynge Nielsen, ‘Classifications of Countries Based on Their Level of Development: How it is
Done and How it Could be Done’ (2011) IMF Working Paper WP/11/31, 4.
<https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/wp/2011/wp1131.pdf> accessed 12 August 2015.
355
ibid 41

149
south, industrialised and unindustrialised elucidates the notion that many more countries are

developing rather than developed.

In developing countries, issues of corruption, susceptibility to foreign influence, human rights

abuse and impotent political institutions are rampant. MNCs and large corporations in the

developing countries are powerful in an environment where the social implication of

corporate activities are constantly being scrutinised. As most developing countries –

especially those on the African continent - are “consumer nations” they are exploring the

availability of a wide selection of products to impose ethical standards on corporations, and

corporations are respond accordingly to the rhetoric of “political correctness” of consumers

exploitatively in the same manner.356

This chapter focuses on the enactment of legislation governing CSR is India and Mauritius

among other countries.357 This trend is examined as a growing phenomenon noting similar

attempts in Indonesia, The Philippines and Nigeria. The relevance of legislating CSR in

developing countries is examined further. The conflicting ideological camps in the regulation

debate – identified as the socio-cultural differences of individualism and collectivism – are

discussed also. I disagree with Okoye that there are ‘still unsettled debates about whether and

how CSR should have a role in development’.358 I posit that the question of ‘whether’ CSR

has a role in development has been answered by business itself engaging profusely in socially

356
Political correctness refers to the exhibition of corporations by public relations strategies that are
merely cosmetic in response to calls for social responsibility. See Clive Barnett, Paul Cloke, Nick
Clarke and Alice Malpass, Globalising Responsibility (Wiley-Blackwell 2011). This book discusses
the political implication of moralised consumerism. It examines the evolution of global ethical
consumption and is useful for rationalising the interest of the society (as consumers) in the CSR
debate by evaluating their purchasing choices as a bargaining tool in creating new social
responsibility norms.
357
This refers to the provisions of section 135 of the Companies Act 2013 of the laws of India which
is discussed in greater detail below.
358
Adaeze Okoye, ‘Exploring the Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility, Law and
Development in an African Context’ (2012) 54 (5) IJLMA 364, 365.

150
responsible activities and agenda.359 The question of ‘how’ is however, the subject of this

thesis and remains much unresolved. The debate is centred mainly on whether corporations

should carry out this role voluntarily or obligatorily.

5.2 The challenges of development

In Africa development has posed an intractable issue.360 Article 3(2) of the United Nations

Declaration on the Right to Development provides that;

States have the right and the duty to formulate appropriate national

development policies that aim at the constant improvement of the well-

being of the entire population and of all individuals, on the basis of their

active, free and meaningful participation in development and in the fair

distribution of the benefits resulting therefrom.361

There are various levels of development between countries grouped together as ‘developing’.

This is due to the differences in technological advancement, nearness to coastal resources,

natural resources endowment, and affiliations to developed countries. The large corporations

of foreign investment partners, the foreign countries themselves and global economic factors

therefore plays a huge role in shaping the social responsibility of developing countries. As

359
Moon Seop Kim, Dong Tae Kim and Jae Il Kim, ‘CSR for Sustainable Development: CSR
Beneficiary Positioning and Impression Management Motivation’ (2014) Corporate Social
Responsibility and Environmental Management Corp. Soc. Responsib. Environ. Mgmt. 14
360
The UNDP HDI categorises all sub-Saharan states as developing. See generally the Human
Development Report 2015 (UNDP 2015)
<http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/2015_human_development_report.pdf> accessed 12 August
2015
361
The UN Declaration on the Right to Development was adopted by General Assembly resolution
41/128 of 4 December 1986.

151
developing countries try to meet developmental challenges in cooperation with business, the

role that CSR plays in development become clearer.

Clearly, the duty of states as depicted in the UN Declaration on the Right to Development

indicates that states have a duty to ensure the promotion of social welfare and equitable

participation and achievement of self-development. Interestingly, the concept of development

has evolved to ‘sustainable development’ rhyming with the essence and principles of CSR.

Robert Kates et al. elucidating on the concept of sustainable development observed that entire

planet, its endowments and cultures needs to be sustained while developing people and their

economies in the communities they live.362 They also noted that the ‘success of many former

colonies in attaining national independence was followed by a focus on economic

development to provide basic necessities’.363 The World Bank has adopted the new concept

observed that previously, economic ‘growth was achieved at the cost of greater inequity,

higher unemployment, weakened democracy, loss of cultural identity, or overconsumption of

resources needed by future generations’, a trend which that was unsustainable. Development

indicators include security, health, education and economic performance and are all at low

levels in developing countries.364 Accordingly, by definition, sustainable development ‘meets

the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their

own needs’.365 Most international organisations have the contribution to or attainment of

developmental goals as one, if not their major objective. The Preamble to the UN Charter

states that the organisation is ‘determined ... to promote social progress and better standards

362
Robert W. Kates, Thomas M. Parris, and Anthony A. Leiserowitz, ‘What is Sustainable
development?’ (2005) 47 (3) Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development 8
363
Ibid 10
364
Robert W. Kates op cit 14
365
World Commission on Environment and Development’s (the Brundtland Commission) Report
‘Our Common Future (Oxford University Press, 1987) [27] <http://www.un-documents.net/our-
common-future.pdf> accessed 12 August 2015.

152
of life in larger freedom’ and ‘to employ international machinery for the promotion of

economic and social advancement of all peoples’366.

Despite the good intentions outlined in many international treaties and the flow of foreign aid

to developing countries, the issues of development and developing countries is still prominent

on the agenda of the UN and most of its institutions. Organisations like the OECD and EITI

often direct their objectives principally towards member-state actors. This has started to

change with the acknowledgement of the importance of the collaborative role that MNCs can

play in the achievement of developmental goals. It is argued that any expectation of business

is not misplaced in view of the social objectives of corporations which are in tandem with

business objectives. This development can be construed as an attempt to harness corporate

‘power’ without the annihilation of capitalism. Is this a hybrid or meta-regulatory approach?

Unfortunately, the impact of corporations receives negative mention when discussions around

on sustainable development are held; the complicity of business in corruption, breach of

human rights and low economic opportunities are widespread.

5.2.1 Corruption

Jane Valls, has identified some of the challenges facing corporations in Africa to include

corruption, lack of institutional capacity, regulatory issues, inactive shareholders, state owned

enterprises, board weakness, one-size fits all governance codes, political instability,

sustainability.367 Chayes has correctly identified corruption as a threat to global security.368

366
Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations and Statute of the International Court of Justice,
1945. Article 61, Chapter IX of the Charter contains provisions for the establishment of the Economic
and Social Council with details objectives relating to social and economic development of member
states.
367
Jane Valls, ‘Corporate Governance Will Help Unlock Africa’s Potential’ Ethical Boardroom (29
July 2014). <http://ethicalboardroom.com/global-news/corporate-governance-will-help-unlock-
africas-potential/> accessed 5 July 2016. She is the Chairman of the African Corporate Governance
Network (AFCGN) - a not-for-profit organisation.

153
According to the Corruption Perception Index 2015, of the 167 countries assessed in 2015

most African countries ranked amongst the most corrupt.369 The calculus-pervaded research

of Jing and Graham concluded that “a combination of tough rules, vigilant enforcement, and

a rectitudinous leadership” were contributory to reducing corruption in Singapore and Hong

Kong in the 1970s and 1980s.370

The hacking and eventual publication by the International Consortium of Investigative

Journalist revealed details of persons behind several corporations used to avoid detention in

arms deals, bribery scandals, money laundering and tax avoidance all through the registration

of offshore corporate entities registered for mostly illegal purposes. It is the tax avoidance

purposes of these companies, and not their existence that is unconscionable.371

The Panama leaks has led to many governments commencing investigations on the

ramifications of the leaks. Amidst the confusion, there seems to be public demand that

corporations should not be used to reduce tax obligations of wealthy individuals by the

introduction of more transparent and bilateral tax and financial services regulation between

countries. The guise in which the argument was couched was to prevent easy laundering of

funds for terrorist activities around the world. Beyond adherence to the law, therefore, there

is a demand that tax avoidance by the rich using offshore corporations should be disallowed.

The 2015 Commonwealth Group Meeting on Corruption had in attendance Heads of State of

368
See Thieves of State: Why Corruption Threatens Global Security, Sarah Chayes, W.W. Norton &
Co., 2015
369
Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2015
<http://www.transparency.org/cpi2015> accessed 7 April 2016.
370
Runtian Jing and John L. Graham, ‘Values Versus Regulations’ (2008) 80 Journal of Business
Ethics 791, 803.
371
The ICIJ website contains these documents and have made them available for free downloads
<https://panamapapers.icij.org/> accessed 3 June 2016. The British Virgin Islands, Guernsey and
Canary Islands – all under the control of the U.K government are tax havens also.

154
the Commonwealth to discuss this issue among other things.372 The South African

Development Community (SADC) has also developed its Protocol against Corruption in

combating corruption since 2001.373 Although the UN, AU and ECOWAS treaties are not in

force, the SADC Treaty has been in force for about a decade following the attainment of the

required number of ratifications.374

The membership of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

through its Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International

Business Transactions and Related Documents 1997375 and related Guidelines for

Multinational Enterprises376 developed special guidelines for combating corruption by

corporations. In Nigeria very little success has been recorded in relation to embezzlement,

illicit enrichment by public officers, misappropriation of public funds, bribery or abuse of

office leading to financial loss for the state despite the ample opportunities provided by

provisions of several laws for criminal prosecution and punishment. Developing countries

have all suffered ill reputation as a result of the corruption of public officials. The enactment

of legislation giving the host countries of MNCs extraterritorial powers may curb the spread

of corruption in the award f contracts in developing countries for the construction of vital

infrastructure. The U.S. Alien Tort Act377 and the U.K. Bribery Act 2010 makes the act of

372
The 2015 meeting held in Malta.
373
The South African Development Community’s Protocol against Corruption was adopted by the
Heads of State and Government of its members in August 2001. It is noteworthy that this treaty
predates both the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) 2003 and AU Convention on
Preventing and Combating Corruption 2003.
374
The SADC anticorruption Protocol came into force on 6 July 2005 after the required nine
ratifications by member states was achieved.
375
The principal document was adopted by the organisation in the Negotiating Conference on 21
November 1997. It came into force on 15 February 1999 and revised in 2007.
376
These Guidelines were endorsed by the Development Assistance Committee at its High Level
Meeting held between 6-7 May 1996.
377
28 U.S.C. § 1350

155
bribing ‘foreign public officials’ by corporations378 in the U.K. a criminal offence379 with

extraterritorial application.380

5.2.2 Poor economic opportunities

Corporations can behave in such a way as to perpetuate economic inequalities and inhibit

opportunities for further growth by not performing their social responsibility activities

appropriately. More recently, the heated debate on ‘zero-hour’ contracts in the UK,

underscores the polarity in the policy of the two main parties.381 One of the objectives of

business is to create wealth for the society, a contract off employment under a ‘zero-hour’

arrangement has been criticised as not being fair and inhibitive of the employer’s economic

security.

The poor opportunities presented in developing countries is often perpetuated by MNCs that

offer Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in negotiated contracts which are protective of the

foreign companies.382 It is a good thing that ‘pre-establishment commitments and sustainable

development-oriented clauses are on the rise’.383 Additionally, the economic fate of

developing countries is influenced by global financial systems and practices. Through the

provision of FDIs corporations from foreign countries further influence the economies of

378
Section 14 Bribery Act 2010
379
Section 6 Bribery Act 2010
380
Section 12 Bribery Act 2010
381
A ‘zero-hours’ contract is one in which the employer is contracted for no amount of time. The
work is at the pleasure of the hirer with no obligation for certainty of the emloyees requirment. There
are cases of excsivity contracts where a person so contracted cnanot take employment with any other
contract.
382
The Royal Dutch Shell Company and other early oil exploration companies in Nigeria negotiated
terms protecting their investments by the state. This may have provided a basis for the Nigerian
government’s forceful intervention with military troops in the 1995 protests that led to the hanging of
Ken Saro-Wiwa.
383
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Recent Trends in IIAs and
ISDSs IIA Issue Note No. 1 (February 2015) 1.
<http://unctad.org/en/PublicationsLibrary/webdiaepcb2015d1_en.pdf> accessed 12 April 2016. IIAs
refer to International Investment Agreements and ISDS refers to the Investor–State Dispute
Settlement system.

156
developing countries. There is an inclination for developing countries to honour the historical

nexus between them and their colonial masters.384 Even when the Western powers under the

auspices of the IMF and World Bank were negotiating the debt relief of the poorest countries

in the world, Simms reported that ‘it appeared to many that the deal was being used to dump

a package of widely discredited pro-big business ideas on the countries, with little

consideration of whether or not they would work’.385 This may be changing with the dilution

of Western and Eastern influences on developing countries.386

Developing countries are susceptible to the reverberation effect of global financial or

economic crisis. Global recessions and other economic turmoil invariably halts development

efforts of developing countries. The last financial crisis affected developing countries in

many ways. In the case of Nigeria, Olu Ajakaiye and ’Tayo Fakiyesi, observed that:

The consequences of the global financial crisis on growth and development in

Nigeria are enormous and widespread. The first point of impact is through the

drop in the price of oil. This is followed by the fall in the share price of the

stock market. The combined effect of these two led to the depreciation of the

naira exchange rate. Further worsening the situation is the withdrawal of

foreign portfolio investment (hedge funds) from the Nigerian market.387

Writing in 2014, Claudio M. Loser noted the effects of the last global financial crisis;

The Great Recession of 2008–2009 and the accompanying standstill of

financial markets were a rude awakening. Global wealth declined by the

equivalent of 1 year of world GDP, distributed among virtually all regions of

384
The main influence is the ‘partition of Africa’ arising from the Berlin Conference 1884 – 1885.
385
Andrew Simms, Ecological Debt, (Pluto Press, 2nd ed.) 2009, 8.
386
By Western influences the capitalist ideology is often accepted and by Eastern influences such as
Russian and Chinese influences socialist ideology is spread.
387
Olu Ajakaiye and ’Tayo Fakiyesi, “Global Financial Crisis Discussion Series - Paper 8: Nigeria”
(Overseas Development Institute (ODI) London, 2009)

157
 the world. Commodity prices plummeted, and many of the emerging

economies were afraid that they would suffer on a long-term basis. In many

regions, including Europe, there has been no full recovery from the crisis

even today.388

Loser further notes that ‘emerging economies’ growth rates have surpassed advanced

economies’ and have contributed to lifting a significant portion of the world’s population out

of poverty”389 The contribution of corporations therefore, needs to be evaluated for continued

and increased positive impact on national and global economies.

Foreign companies often get away with abuses they would otherwise be penalised for in their

home countries. Fines and reparations are often not enough to compensate local communities

of affected persons; the implications go beyond fines and reparations. The damage to the

environment may be irreparable with cumulative consequences well beyond this century.

Corporations involved in scandals often merge with others, declare insolvency or are

acquired by another corporation (as in the case of Union Carbide in India), but the effects of

their activities often continue to be felt.390 Broughton commented that;

India relaxed its controls on foreign investment in order to accede to WTO

rules and thereby attract an increasing flow of capital. In the process, a

number of environmental regulations are being rolled back as growing

foreign investments continue to roll in. The Indian experience is comparable

388
Claudio M. Loser, ‘Emerging Market Economies: Out of Favor But Not Out of Steam’ (2014) 6 (2)
Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies 97, 100
389
Claudio M. Loser op cit 98
390
Edward Broughton, ‘The Bhopal Disaster and its Aftermath: A Review’ (2005) Environmental
Health: A Global Access Science Source 1

158
 to that of a number of developing countries that are experiencing the

environmental impacts of structural adjustment.391

Financial penalties alone often do not and cannot fully indemnify either the human loss,

environmental or overall consequences that trail corporate disasters.

5.2.3 Human rights and organised CSOs

There are various forms of human rights of which civil and political rights have been

receiving greater attention than social, economic and cultural rights. The protection of social

and econmic rights have faced challenges in many jurisdictions not the least in developing

countries. This is because the fulfilment of these rights are subject largely to the financial

ability of each state to fund the enjoyment of these rights. The extent to which these rights are

acknowledged and protected often revels the extent of a country’s development.

The work of Ronald Coase392 The Problem of Social Cost is influential in shaping

contemporary discuss on the social implications of corproate activities by comparing the

costs of production to business and also to society.393 Coase opined as is now popularly

advocated that ‘the choice between different social arrangements for the solution of economic

problems should be carried out in broader terms than this and that the total effect of these

arrangements in all spheres of life should be taken into account’.394 The idea of curbing

corporate excesses must have influenced the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of the mid-

19th century. The rise of civil movements was important in the absence of national and

international condemnation of “irresponsible” corporate behaviour. Non-Governmental

Organisations (NGOs) and CSOs have wrested the authority to investigate, challenge and

391
ibid 4.
392
Ronald Coase won the Nobel Prize in 1991 for his work in Economics.
393
Ronald Coase, ‘The Problem of Social Cost’ (1960) 3 Journal of Law and Economics 1
394
ibid 43

159
mete out “justice” to MNCs.395 In cases where human rights abuses were perpetrated by

MNCs in host states, reliance was often placed squarely on NGOs to advocate reform and

accountability. There are several areas of social interaction where law has been used to set

standards of acceptable behaviour through democratic processes.396 NGOs have campaigned

vigorously internationally and nationally in areas such as agriculture397, climate change, the

environment398, democracy and social justice, disaster management. The burgeoning social

media platforms aided by the penetration of IT infrastructure is contributory to the growth of

CSOs. This has led to the proliferation of formal and informal publication using social mass

media making CSOs impossible to be neglected by states and the international comity of

nations.

The challenge is that while corporations can aid social objectives and contribute to the

development of developing states, their practices often conflict with environmental and

human rights issues. Corporations in applying capital to exploit natural and human resources

is the twain issues of environmental sustainability and respect for human rights are firmly

engaged and cannot be ignored. Corporate wealth and power have increased over the past

century and the wealth of many MNCs outstriping the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of

many developing countries. In developing states devoid of strong political commitment to

social justice and equality corporate activity can be seen to be very damaging and ethical

consideration may not attract the high priority it deserves. Osuji has identified the

requirement of individuals having personal ethics before it can be imbedded in an

395
Norbert Horn, ‘International Rules for Multinational Enterprises: The ICC, OECD, and ILO
Initiatives’ American Sociological Review [1997] 62
396
See International Law Office for current legislation in environmental, labour and human rights law.
397
FairTrade and Conflict Diamonds
398
Green Peace

160
organisation such as a corporation and the wider society whether nationally or globally. 399 In

developing countries where there are poor standards f human rights observance development

is slow.

5.2.4 Weak Political and Judicial Institutions

Developing countries are also characterised by weak political institutions with asymmetric

policy and regulatory information. The traditional economies of most developing countries

are mostly dependent the on unmechanised agrarian and mining sectors of the economy. The

‘resource curse’ persists despite being a cornucopia of resources.400

The advent of market economies was a necessary development concurrent with the

establishment of the corporation in the western economies in the 19th century. It has been

argued that the recent financial crisis eroded social and welfare rights of citizens in many

developing countries.401 The ripple effects across national boundaries necessitated a greater

degree of cooperation between states beyond the conventional areas of arms. Thus the

influence of global trends on states cannot be overstated: ever increasing rapidity in

communication methods have required commensurate high-rate reactions from influenced

states to manage the explosion in international trade. National courts are reacting not only to

the sensibilities of domestic factors but increasingly adapting, due to globalisation, to

399
Onyeka Osuji, ‘Fluidity of Regulation-CSR Nexus: The Multinational Corporate Corruption
Example’ (2011) 103 Journal of Business Ethics 31, 41.
400
The ‘resource curse’ refers to the link between political instability and underdevelopment in many
developing countries that are resource rich. Venezuela, Nigeria and Angola are prominent among
other countries.
401
Anashri Pillay and Murray Wesson, ‘Recession, Recovery and Service Delivery: Political and
Judicial Responses to the Financial and Economic Crisis in South Africa’ in Aoife Nolan (ed),
Economic and Social Rights after the Global Financial Crisis (Cambridge University Press 2014).
<http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107337954> accessed 01 December 2014.

161
international standards by adopting international jurisprudence and in some cases “inter-

judicial” collaboration.402

The effects of globalisation should lend CSR to a universal definition, law and subsequently

practice, with only some allowance for local adaptations. The social aspirations of consumers

and employees seem to be the same. The differences in the developing economies and the

developed seems to be in the agitation of the activists from the developed championing

change in the developing countries despite that they are the ultimate beneficiaries of profits

from the developing countries.

CSR is increasingly being discussed as a topical academic, policy and legal issue in not only

business but development and human rights studies, and is increasingly becoming political.403

The relevance of the association of CSR and development and human rights studies is more

profound in developing countries than the developed ones. Accordingly, this chapter will

focus on the peculiar trends in CSR and corporate law in developing countries with emerging

economies. The characteristic features of the evolution of CSR in some countries like Brazil,

Mauritius, and India, show that globalisation has shaped the practice of CSR in developing

countries. The spread of corporations into the now so-called developing countries makes CSR

an important phenomenon in the economic and socio-political studies of developing

countries. Accordingly, CSR decisions are ultimately political ones which are being made

developing economies vis-à-vis their economic ideologies and practices and how do they

interact in the society.

402
Eyal Benvesti and George W. Downs, ‘National Courts, Domestic Democracy and the evolution of
International Law’ [2009] EJIL 59, 61.
403
David Kinley, Justine Nolan and Natalie Zerial, ‘The Politics of Corporate Social Responsibility:
Reflections on the United Nations Human Rights Norms for Corporations’ (2007) Faculty of Law,
University of Sydney <http://sydney.edu.au/law/scil/documents/2009/SCILWP8.pdf> accessed 14
August 2015

162
Political orientations matter as is demonstrable from the influx of Chinese national and

private companies into Africa generally, with the resultant dilution of the prevalent CSR

practices with that of the Chinese companies.404 China’s interest in Africa is obvious. Some

have contradicted the acceptance of China’s investment overtures by citing poor human rights

standards and well-documented (and sometimes flagrant) abuse of the personal freedoms of

its citizens. It is only in a case where the host countries are firmly pursuing best practice and

international standards that their foreign partners can oblige by accepting conditions set in

law in the host country even if different from those of the foreign company. In this regard, it

is pertinent to note that the discipline of CSR is not precipitating; rather it is still evolving.

The practice of MNCs ‘outsourcing’ production and operating subsidiaries in developing

countries with ‘cheaper labour’ and less stringent corporate responsibility standards but this

trend is changing. This trend can be traced to the idea that corporations will reduce cost while

seeking to increase profits, and one of the ways in which that has been done by the big

multinationals is to produce from less developed markets. With a series of mishaps in

countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, some developing countries have

embarked on domestic reform of corporate governance standards to ensure the safety of their

citizens and the environment. Nonetheless they are still the preferred destination of large

corporations due to their weaker economies and lower cost of labour.

Some common features are identifiable amongst developing countries at the turn of the 21 st

century which may explain the recent international efforts to collaborate and cooperate in

their effort aimed at the attainment of improved development in their respective states. Issues

404
There is no research study into the CSR practices of Chinese state-owned and private companies in
Africa. However, there is unfavourable press and public perception of their corporate activities. See
also Report of the ICJ Expert Legal Panel on Corporate Complicity in International Crimes:
Corporate Complicity & Legal Accountability (2008) Vol. 1-3 International Commission of Jurists
(ICJ), See also Michael Kerr, Richard Janda, and Chip Pitts in Chip Pitts (ed), Corporate Social
Responsibility: A Legal Analysis (Butterworths/Lexis- Nexis, Canada, 2009).

163
of sustainable economic growth, improved living standards and improved human capacity

indicators are not peculiar to any one state; they all share similar aspirations in this regard.

The development of strong political and judicial structures tends to promote generally the

expression and aggregation of social norms. The political climate determines the way in

which the economic actors manifest their ideologies. In developing countries, the main

influencers of CSR practice corporate managers, the CSOs and the state. The situation of

corporate governors at the heart of financial and strategic corporate decision-making subject

them to direct criticism or praise for CSR. Their high-visibility while working as the face of

their organisations puts them in the path of direct conflict with both the state and civil

society. This conspicuousness is easily ascertainable when operational lapses lead to

catastrophic events or injury.405 In developing countries, weak political institutions may lead

to a lack of redress of corporate activities and corporate managers often urge liaise with

government officials to perpetuate bad corporate practices. Without exception, most

emerging economies face an inordinate level of corruption. It is not exclusively blamed on

the greed and moral turpitude of citizens of the “host states”. The collusion and connivance of

agents of corporations from the “home state” are evident as some cases have shown.406

Naturally, those affected by corporate excesses have traditionally opposed oppressive and

harmful corporate activity that has a direct effect on their lives. In developing countries,

405
In the U.S Congress, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce sat for 10 days’ oversight
demanding BP officials to answer questions on the oil spill in 2010. In weaker political environments
if this is done at all it may not lead to expeditious action to remedy the situation as the case of
Nigeria’s Ogoniland has shown – this took over 30 years. The quantum of damages for direct and
indirect impact on the environment and human beings is incalculable. In many cases, those who
should benefit are descendants of those injured.
406
Again, a classic case is the Ken Saro-Wiwa case. Another popular case was the Halliburton scandal
reviewed in Barbara Crutchfield George and Kathleen A. Lacey, ‘Investigation of Halliburton Co./
TSKJ’S Nigerian Business Practices: Model for Analysis of the current Anti-Corruption Environment
on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act’ (2006) 96 The Journal of Crim. Law and Criminology
‘Investigation of Halliburton Co./ TSKJ’S Nigerian Business Practices: Model for Analysis of the
current Anti-Corruption Environment on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act’

164
especially in communities where exploitation of extractive resources is taking place,

informally organised groups have emerged. With the passage of time, they have become

more formal and organised in order to muster more clout to challenge – mostly foreign –

corporations and with assistance from multilateral agencies, states and sympathetic

institutions, civil society organisations have mushroomed in many countries. Not only have

their numbers grown worldwide, they have also started command greater influence and

importance in regulating business.407 In the developing states – most of which gained

independence in the mid-20th century, CSOs have strongly agitated for economic

independence also despite the financial support they invariably receive through foreign aid.408

In 2011, a UK Cabinet Minister raised issues regarding the UK aid budget arguing against a

legal commitment by the UK to meet the “United Nations target of 0.7% of national

income”409. The perceptible policy of the developed countries is to donate aid to developing

states while promoting trade with them. Supposedly, developing countries benefit directly

from what is seemingly an altruistic gesture through increased trade and indirectly through

the propagation of their own ideologies and technologies thereby justifying such expenditure

in a way akin to the ‘business case’ of CSR.

States through their respective governments have been very active in demanding and

mediating in the clash between corporations and third parties when CSR issues are topical.

States often wade in to demand remedial action from corporations as can be seen in the case

of the BP oil spill in 2010, and negotiate on behalf of the citizens in disputes,410 and also

legislate when stalemates persist during CSR conflicts. When negotiations and interventions

407
Bridget Hunter and Joan O’Mahoney (eds), (2004) ‘The Role of Civil Society Organisations in
Regulating Business’ ESRC, LSE Discussion Paper No. 26, 3
408
Strong foreign trade relations exist between the colonial states and the now independent states.
409
Mark Doyle, ‘Liam Fox row: Where does UK’s aid budget go?’ BBC News, 17 May 2011.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13430395> accessed 16 December 2014.
410
Ogoni, South Africa mining, Rana Plaza etc. are examples where government initiative was crucial
in seeking compensation, reparation and other forms of redress for victims.

165
fail, the final resort is to the courts for judicial intervention.411 Internationally, states

invariably support efforts on imposing social responsibility obligations on big corporations

and constitute the necessary parties in international law to effectuate any treaty. So, states

astride domestic and foreign jurisdictional obligations.

In developing countries, CSR has meant different things. The fragmented development of the

subject – without a clear and authoritative definition – has led to the evolution of many

interpretations of what constitutes the CSR of business. Surely, the differences in culture has

played a part with differences in economic and political realities of different states

determining the focus and depth of CSR practices. Importantly, political theories have

influenced the subject. While the Anglo-American model of capitalism has instilled anti-

regulation tendencies in their economies, developing countries with less matured economic

tend not to deviate completely from cultural impressions.412

Since the 1950s when it became fashionable for business to respond to workers’ welfare,

there has been a resurgent and exponential increase in public discuss and engagement with

CSR issues can be tracces to the Nike sweat shops scandal of the 1990s.413 More recently

according to Theodore Levitt, corporations have increased interest in social programmes and

have given opportunity to states now seeking to regulate business creating an indistinct and

confused situation.414 To be “politically correct” and move with the times, corporations have

411
Indonesia’s Supreme Court waded in to declare CSR obligations of the state. CSR remains
mandatory for firms, court rules ‘CSR Remains Mandatory for Firms, Court Rules’ The Jakarta Post
16 April 2009 <http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/04/16/csr-remains-mandatory-firms-court-
rules.html> accessed 14 August 2015
412
The two dominant theories have been the shareholder value and stakeholder theories of corporate
law.
413
Crane and others, The Oxford Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility (OUP, Oxford 2008)
20, where 1950 was used as a benchmark of modern CSR.
414
Theodore Levitt, ‘The Dangers of Social Responsibility’ (1958) 36(5) Harvard Business Review
41. This position is presumably more true of the mature capitalist economies than the developing
states of Africa and Southeast Asia.

166
increased participation in social programs as they strive to exhibit responsiveness to social

issues that are constantly being highlighted in the public domain through social media.

Business with its contemporary stance on social issues is taking the position of a

‘development partner’. The contemporary notion that social issues cannot be ignored by

business is increasingly becoming a characteristic fixture of modern business. The

interdependence of business on a viable society and of society on thriving business is gaining

acceptance to the level of truism. The Fairtrade organisation have adopted this ideology by

stating that;

FairTrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local

sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the

developing world.

It’s about supporting the development of thriving farming and worker

communities that have more control over their futures and protecting the

environment in which they live and work.

And it’s your opportunity to connect with the people who grow the produce

that we all depend on”.415

Porter and Kramer agree that that in modern business, “there is no inherent

contradiction between improving competitive context and making a sincere

commitment to bettering society”.416

As no country can develop in isolation – and the interdependence of states has been

reinforced by internationally bonding social agents such as the Internet – developmental

415
See the FairTrade website: ‘What FairTrade does’ <http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/en/what-is-
fairtrade/what-fairtrade-does> accessed 24 May 2016.
416
M Porter and M Kramer ‘The competitive advantage of corporate Philanthropy’ Harvard Business
Review on Corporate Responsibility (2003) 58.

167
efforts transcend boundaries. It is the aim of every country to develop to its fullest economic,

political and cultural capacities. Despite the seeming competition between states to forge

alliances that engender their individual aspirations, collaborative and cooperative efforts

abound in the quest for individual development. States presumably take up membership of

regional and global institutions like EITI, and collaborate with the UN, OECD, etc. partly to

entrenchment democratic political processes. Developing countries strive to achieve stable

democracies substantial reduction in coups d’état.

Most developed countries are characterised by strong political institutions. Investors therefore

often regard ‘political risk’ when considering investing in developing countries. In

developing countries devoid of strong political institutions, regulatory effectiveness is

wanting. Regulation in young and fledgling democracies is, therefore, desirable to

compensate for the weak social, political, and judicial institutions. Corporations cannot be

left to their own regulation as they will self-preserve rather than cater effectively and

efficiently to social need due to their inclination to satisfy profit making.417

There is relatively corporate power concentrated in MNCs as new mergers and acquisitions

continue to grow corporate power in developing countries.418 The institutional framework and

political environment where MNCs operate in developing countries are not the same as in

developed countries. It is, however, in the interest of foreign corporations to enhance capacity

development in Africa – the greater the number and purchasing power of the society, the

greater will be the profits for MNCs.

417
The case has been made that corporations have a hierarchy of needs like human being, te first of
which is self-preservation and satisfaction. See Nyameh Jerome, ‘Application of the Maslow’s
Hierarchy of Ned Theory; Impacts and Implications on Organizational Culture, Human Resource and
Employee’s Performance’ (2013) 2 International Journal of Business and Management Invention 39.
418
Mergers and acquisitions continue to occur as companies seeks more efficient ways of producing
goods and services subject to national antitrust laws.

168
5.3 Corporations and Development

There are definite contributions that corporations can make in the society, especially that of

developing nations. Corporations are moving divergently from the endured model of

philanthropism to creating longer term impact value especially through human development.

As skills and funds are often found in greater abundance in large successful corporations,

these factors can be employed to create value for as long as the corporations remain

profitable. In turn, corporations are able to draw on the pool of skills and innovations it may

have created purposely for its own benefit.

Although CSR practices can be used to achieve immediate and high-profile publicity by

corporations, short-term relief should not be prioritised over medium-to-long-term projects

such as investing in training of medical personnel for a local community. Photoshoot

opportunities should not be abused by corporations in want of reputational credibility at the

expense of more lasting developmental opportunities.

Two factors are likely to influence the practice of CSR in developing countries in the next

few decades - technological advancement and ethical consumerism – and both are linked.

Technological breakthroughs in alternative carbon-free energy sources and energy storage –

such as the use of electric cars and solar energy for power generation- will revolutionise the

world. The promotion of technological research into these areas has been determined by

ethical and socially responsibility-motivated choices mostly. The cyber revolution which has

been dubbed the fourth industrial revolution and ethical consumption is being influenced by

the stakeholder view of CSR which speaks to the notion of ‘corporate conscience’ and

engages suppliers, for example, to be consider ethical consumption patterns which are

influencing production worldwide. The influence of FairTrade on workers’ rights in

developing countries and the intervention of De Beers in curbing the production of what was

169
termed ‘conflict diamonds’ are two examples of this. CSR is used as an attempt to sole wider

social issues often at a global scale by denouncing unconscionable praactices worldwide.

5.3.1 Role of corporations in development

That government is actively seeking allies in its development strategies and plans is a

foregone conclusion of the attitude of states towards achieving general development of their

societies. Corporations being an important component of modern society, the government of

developing states regard them as indispensable in providing economic growth.

The paradigm of world economic power has changed fundamentally in the 21st century with

the emergence of fast-developing economies in Asia, South America and Africa. Although

the world’s biggest economies remain predominantly the developed northern hemisphere

nations, the rise of developing nations exhibiting distinctive and steady growth potentials is

challenging the long-standing notion of “northern hemisphere” dominance of the past

centuries.

Known by various acronyms such as the BRICS419, MINT420 and the Next 11421, some

attention has now been trained on the relevance of the emergence of the prospective new

economic powers and what their potential growth means for the world economy. Rooted in

the historical economy of the developing countries are well-developed alliances with MNCs

of the developed countries. The pattern of collaborations depict a complementary and

supplementary role of CSR in developing states.

Complementary role (qualitative enhancement)

419
The BRICS countries consist of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The acronym was
first used and coined by Jim O’Neill in Jim O’Neil, ‘Building Better Global BRICs’ (2011) Global
Economics Paper 66, Goldman Sachs http://www.goldmansachs.com/our-thinking/archive/archive-
pdfs/build-better-brics.pdf> accessed 14 August 2015.
420
The MINT countries are Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey
421
The next eleven countries are Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Nigeria, Mexico, Pakistan, the
Philippines, South Korea, Turkey and Vietnam.

170
In some emerging economies, corporations are regarded as major contributors to the

developmental efforts of the states.422 The CSR activities of corporations are complementary

to those of the state, in so far as the objective is in consonance with that of the state to

providesocial welfare. Antonio Vives has argued that argued that CSR is development done

by the private sector that is complementary to the efforts of governments and multilateral

organisations. He stated that:

‘CSR’, by its very nature, is development done by the private sector, and it

perfectly complements the development efforts of governments and

multilateral development institutions’. 423

A fundamental characteristic of developed countries remains their economic strength

measured by high Gross Domestic Product (GDP)424. Claudio Loser observed:

Historical perspective provides powerful evidence that emerging economies

are growing on a positive trajectory. In the last 30 years, we have witnessed a

sharp increase in the income of emerging and developing economies and, as a

consequence, a rapid increase in the share of these economies in global

wealth and GDP.425

The volutary schemes of corporations therefore, are aimed at complementing state programs.

However, states as the ‘owners’ of the social welfare programs indicate the areas of

cooperation with corporations to achieve its wider objectives such as in urging corporations

422
Brazil and Mexico are examples of the social policy framed with corporate participation as a key
delivery mechanism.
423
Antonio Vives, ‘The Role of Multilateral Development Institutions in Fostering Corporate Social
Responsibility’ (2004) 47(3) Development 45, 46
424
The GDP is the most commonly used measurement of state wealth. It is an aggregate of the market
value of all goods and services produced in a country less the export-import volume usually calculated
annually.
425
Claudio M. Loser, ‘Emerging Market Economies: Out of Favour But Not Out of Steam’ (2014) 6
(2) Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies 97, 97.

171
to lend oney in a down turn or committing to research in healthcare without mandatory. In

India government has been criticised for prescribing taxes through CSR legislation by

compelling spending on state-designated programs. This position was taken by Friedman by

describing the legislating on CSR as government legislating on corporate expenditure in the

name of social responsibility by “in effect imposing taxes, on the one hand, and deciding how

the tax proceeds shall be spent, on the other”.426

Supplementary role (quantitative augmentation)

The involvement of corporations generally can supplement the quantum of state programs in

social welfare. States are often not able to meet all desirable social needs of their citizens.

Where business adds to the state activity in a social agenda, its role can be said to be

supplementary of government responsibilities.427 The state’s role to provide social welfare

and development can be better served when corporations are engaged in a coherent manner.

Indeed, it is in the interest of business to engage in any state-sponsored program aided at

increasing the capacity fo the citizens to live and work in an environment in which business

itself can thrive. In this regard, business itself is a stakeholder in development, although the

provision of factors for development itself is firmly under the purview of state responsibility.

CSR be used in complementary and supplementary ways, to address environmental and

social issues in developing countries.

Climate change is considered one of the world’s urgent prblems. It has been attributed largely

to global warming and the effects of carbonisation. The increased production of goods for the

world's population places an unsustainable demand on finite global natural resources like

fossil fuels. The finiteness of these resources calls for prudence in its management. Simms

426
Milton Friedman, ‘The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Its Profits’ New York Times
Magazine (New York 13 September 1970) 32-33, 32
427
This is the idea of giving foreign aid to developing countries. It is often to supplement donee
states’ capacity to meet targets which may be beyond its reach due to insufficiency of state funds.

172
has argued that using more resources that can be naturally replenished or managed has led to

ecological debt. He describes this debt as an ‘ecological debt’.428

The traditional concept of CSR and stakeholder engagement promote responsiveness to the

needs of those entities that corporations deal with such as employees and suppliers. There are

often encounters between corporations meeting the standards of respect for human rights,

hence human rights issues are usually associated with big business. Developing or emerging

economies are so-called because of certain characterisations or attributes common to them.

The UNDP Human Development Report, 2014 ranked Nigeria 152 out of 187, positioning it

in the low human development category. In effect, most of its people are of enjoying low

levels of security, access to education and economic opportunitites. These deficiencies denote

social vulnerability on account of the lack of capacity to confront ‘big business’ if their rights

are infringed.

5.3.2 A new world corporate order?

There is an urgency due to climate change. This urgency is compelling the serious and

earnest action by states. The two world Earth Summits in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and 2012

highlight the need for all nations of the world to work collaboratively towards curbing the

common environmental challenges facing the world.429 The global effort in this regard is

potentially changing the speed, commitment and outcome of the concerted effort at regulating

all facets of environmental challenges including regulating corporate behaviour and

productions practices worldwide. Though the deep seabed and the moon are the only

428
Frank Maes, Wuter Vanhoe, Jesse Lambrecht, Erik Paredis and Gert Goeminne, The Meaning of
Ecological Debt (Academia Press 2009); Andres Simms Ecological Debt; Global Warming and the
Wealth of Nations (University of Chicago Press 2009)
429
The Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit as held under the auspices of the United Nations Conference on
Environment and Development (UNCED) between from 3 to 14 June 1992 and the 2012 Rio Earth
Summit held from 13 to 22 June was organised by the United Nations Conference on sustainable
Development.

173
recognised areas forming the ‘common heritage of mankind’ the global problems associated

with climate change is raising issues requiring collective action.430

Another emerging significant development is the use of the principle of extraterritoriality to

institute cases against corporation in their home states rather than the host state for breach of

legal rules under the laws of the home state. In the past decade, case law has started to

emerge empowering plaintiffs to bring action against parent companies for actions or

omissions of its subsidiaries thereby defeating a possible challenge of the action on the basis

of the doctrine of forum non convenience431. In Lubbe v. Cape Plc.432, it was argued that a

company can be held liable in the U.K for the liabilities of its South African subsidiary. The

combined effect of the increasing overreaching by national courts in this manner with the

identified international normative approach to environmental issues is likely to lead to a new

order or framework for corporations operating internationally.

A well-coordinated national CSR policy and practice can yield several advantages in

emerging economies. In South Africa deaths resulting from poor safety of miners has reduced

drastically due to government collaboration with industry.433 environmental sustainability,

social inequalities, augment occupational health services, employment and poverty reduction.

430
Frank Maes et al. op cit 116.
431
By this legal principle, a court may decide jurisdiction on a suit where it decide that there is a
better forum or court where the case ought to be heard i.e. in a more convenient forum.
432
Lubbe v. Cape Plc., [2000] UKHL 41. In this case a South African employee brought an action for
damages successfully against the U.K. parent company of a subsidiary he worked for.
433
Kevin Cowley, ‘South Africa’s Mines Deaths Fall to the Lowest in 2015’ Bloomberg (28 January
2016) <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-28/south-africa-s-mine-deaths-fall-to-
lowest-on-record-in-2015> accessed 15 April 2016.

174
In the financial sector, companies are embracing socially responsible lending in recognition

of the importance of the impact of unethical lending to the society.434

5.4 The experiment of legalise and mandatory CSR; a growing trend?

The use of legislation as a regulatory tool is a phenomenon that is gaining wide acceptance

and application. In 2006, section 172 of the U.K. Companies Act caught the interest of the

world. This is because the law provides that directors ‘must act’ to promote the company’s

success having regard to long term implication of their decisions on company employs, the

community, environment, suppliers and creditors.435 Some other countries have now followed

this trail to legislate on CSR in a trend that challenges long held views about capitalism and

the unregulated territory of social responsibility. Indonesia, India and Mauritius are among

the countries that have passed legislation in this regard with other countries like Nigeria

seeking to follow suit. This seems to be a growing pattern among developing countries

mainly.

5.4.1 Indonesia

On 15 April 2009, the Indonesian Constitutional Court ruled that companies were mandated

to act in such a way that stipulated principles akin to CSR guidelines in a mandatory way.

434
‘American Express Global Business Travel Releases First Global Corporate Social Responsibility
Report American Express Global Business Travel Releases First Global Corporate Social
Responsibility Report’ Businesswire (New York, 10 September 2015)
<http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150910005899/en/American-Express-Global-Business-
Travel-Releases-Global#.VfLZ1BFViko> accessed 11 September 2015. The report outlines the
company’s commitment to responsible, sustainable and ethical processes and practices in five key
areas of focus: governance and ethics, employees, customers, community and environment.’
435
Section 172(1) Companies Act 2006

175
The Law of the Republic of Indonesia on Investment Law No. 25 of 2007436, requires all

corporations – domestic and foreign – to implement corporate social responsibility and

environmental responsibility.437 The law requires that all investment be based on the

principles of legal certainty, openness, accountability, the equal treatment without

discriminating the country of origin, togetherness, impartial efficiency, sustainability,

environmental friendly, independency, balance of progress and national economic unity.438

Corporate objectives was defined and set out in the law as increasing national economic

growth, creating job opportunity, improving sustainable economic development, improving

competitiveness of national business sphere, increasing the capacity and the capability of

national technology, encouraging people economic development, processing economic

potential into the real economic strength by using fund coming from both domestic and

foreign countries, improving the prosperity of the community.439

It is clear upon the application of the ordinary meaning of the words used in this legislation

that social responsibility and development influenced it. The implication of this law was to

provide investment and corporate accountability as tool for meeting wider social needs.

Patricia Waagstein pointed out that the divergent focus of business and society in the new

law, when she stated that “While civil society is primarily concerned with the implementation

of such a regulation, the business community is more concerned with their impact on

436
The new law replaced the Law Number: 1 of 1967 “because they no longer suit the necessity to
accelerate the national economic and legal development, especially in investment sector” according to
clause (e) of the preamble. Copy of this legislation is obtainable at:
<file:///C:/Users/Cos/Downloads/ASEAN_Indonesia_Law%20No25%20of%202007%20on%20Inves
tment.pdf> accessed 23 July 2016.
437
In an action brought by business and led by the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce challenging this
law, the Constitutional court of Indonesia held that the law was in consonance with the peculiar
situation in Indonesia where there is weak law enforcement.
438
Article 3(1) (a) –(j) Law of the Republic of Indonesia on Investment Law No. 25 of 2007
439
Article 3(2) (a)-(h) Law of the Republic of Indonesia on Investment Law No. 25 of 2007

176
corporate costs and their comparative advantages”.440 The Eludication on the Law of the

Republic of Indonesia Number: 25 of 2007 concerning Investment states that;

The rights, obligations, and responsibilities of investors are specially

arranged in order to provide legal certainty, to confirm the obligations of

investors in applying the principle of good corporate governance, to honour

traditional culture of the community, and to implement corporate social

responsibility.441

The expatiation of the principle of accountability in the legislation was explained thus;

“Accountability principle” shall mean the principle determining that every activity

and final result of making investment shall be accountable to the community or the

people, as the holder of the highest sovereignty of the country in accordance with the

rules of law.442

By this law, the benefit of effective CSR policy and law to augment government social and

developmental programs is becoming more evident in developing countries. This

development marked in part the beginning of the ownership for CSR agenda by states. Zerk

has argued that states have the main obligation of regulating CSR due partly to the lack of

international law in this regard and also to the fact that control of the management of

corporate activity naturally falls obligatorily to them.443

440
Patricia Waagstein ‘The Mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility in Indonesia; Problems and
implications’ (2001) 98 The Journal of Business Ethics 455 – 466 at 445
441
Clause 1, Elucidation on the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number: 25 of 2007 concerning
Investment. Copy obtainable at:
<file:///C:/Users/Cos/Downloads/ASEAN_Indonesia_Law%20No25%20of%202007%20on%20Inves
tment.pdf> accessed 23 July 2016
442
ibid
443
Jennifer Zerk, Multinationals and Corporate Social Responsibility (Cambridge University Press
2006) See Chapter 7 in particular.

177
5.4.2 India

The India – section 135, Companies Act 2013444 provided that companies with net worth of

five hundred crore or more, one thousand crore or more in turnover, or net profit of five crore

or more in any financial year is bound by the provisions of section 135 to undertake CSR

activities and apply 2% of turnover over a three-year period.445 The mandating provision of

Section 135 generated extensive debate on the likely effects of mandatory expenditure by the

companies to be affected by the proposed law and was mostly viewed with scepticism. The

law further required that a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee be constituted under

the Board consisting of three or more directors, of which one must be an independent

director. The concern expressed over the new law was mainly in regard to the mandate CSR

provisions as surreptitious introduction of taxes and the lack of a working model and

infringement of the human right to pursue legitimate economic activity without unreasonable

regulatory hindrance.

In further guidance and explanations published by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs clarified

that there are no special tax benefits from undertaking CSR activities under section 135 save

where tax relief applies under other legislation.446 It is not surprising that this law was not

received enthusiastically by business. Two interesting provisos apply when complying with

the new CSR provisions. The first stipulates that corporations “shall give preference to the

local area and areas around it where it operates”, and secondly, that in the case where non-

444
This is a comprehensive company law legislation in India replacing the 60-year-old Companies
Act 1956.
445
A crore rupee is equal to ten million rupees or 100 lakhs. A lakh rupee is one hundred thousand
rupees. 5 crores = c.744,000USD, 500 crores = c.74,400,000USD and 1000 crores =
c.148,800,000USD.
446
‘Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with regard to Corporate Social Responsibility under section
135 of the Companies Act, 2013’ General Circular 01/2016 – 05/19/2015-CSR, Ministry of Corporate
Affairs, Government of India (12 January 2016)

178
compliance is due to not spending the required amount, the Board shall ‘specify the reasons

for not spending the amount”.447

Section 135 (5) provides that the Board of every company is required to comply with the new

CSR provisions “shall ensure that the company spends, in every financial year, at least two

per cent. of the average net profits of the company made during the three immediately

preceding financial years, in pursuance of its Corporate Social Responsibility Policy”.

Public perception of the reporting of CSR in 2015 indicates that the Government of India

attaches seriousness to the strict and full reporting under section 135 by the Registrar of

Companies. An independent survey indicates substantial compliance by companies with

some spending more than the prescribed 2% of their average net profit over three years as

stipulated by law.448

It has been reported that letters written to over 100 companies by the Registrar of companies

requesting fuller explanations to reports submitted in 2014 under section 206(1) to show

cause under section 450 of the Companies Act. It will be interesting to see the impact of the

newly constituted specialist company law tribunals will deal with cases before it that border

on compliance of CSR activities should cases come before it.449 Section 260(7) and section

450 provides punishment for failure to comply with the provisions and regulations under the

Act. However, it is doubtful if prosecutions and fins will be meted out as companies and CSR

compliance officers grapple with the relatively new law. No defaults of section 135

447
Section 125(5) Companies Act 2013
448
India’s CSR Reporting Survey 2015 by KPMG India. KPMG is a private global accountancy firm.
<https://www.kpmg.com/IN/en/IssuesAndInsights/ArticlesPublications/Documents/KPMG-CSR-
Survey2015.pdf> accessed 17 May 2016
449
The National Company Law Tribunal and its appellate arm the National Company Law Appellate
Tribunal were set under section 410 of the Companies Act, 2013 and effective from 1 June 2016
under.

179
provisions were declared in the 1st Annual Report on the Working and Administration of the

Companies Act 2013.450

A new Corporate Social Responsibility Regulations came into force on April 1, 2014, In

India, the CSR expenditure is 2% of the pre-tax profits of for-profit corporations calculate as

the mean of three years’ net profits.451 CSR expenditure of companies are not exempt from

taxation as some other profits are under Section 37 of the Income Tax Act 1961. However, a

company may work with third party not-for-profit companies452 to implement its CSR

projects thereby deriving between 50% - 200% tax exemption, depending on the qualifying

exercise conducted in compliance with the Companies Act 2013.453

The Indian Companies Act, 2013 has been described as inhibiting instead of promoting CSR

due to its ‘comply or explain’ posture. An editorial asserted that the absence of stringent

provisions has led companies to hide under the garb of explanation for not meeting CSR

norms.454 Companies to which section 135 applies are required to include in their financial

statements ‘the details about the policy developed and implemented by the company on

corporate social responsibility initiatives taken during the year’.455 The activities approved for

compliance with section 135 requirement of formulating CSR policies must address one or

more of the following;

450
The report covers the first full year of the Companies Act 2013 and covers 1 April 2014 - 31
March 2015.
451
This law provides for all companies (domestic and international) with net worth of $83million or
turnover of at least $160million or annual net profit of $830,000 to expend 2% pre-tax profits on
social welfare programs such as education, poverty reduction etc.
452
These companies set up under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 are generally not-for-profit
organisations.
453
See Section 80G and 35AC of the Income Tax (IT) Act, 1961.
454
See “The Companies Act, 2013; road to CSR non-compliance. Absence of stringent provisions has
led companies to hide under the garb of explanation for not meeting CSR norms. The Financial
Express 20 May 2016 <http://www.financialexpress.com/article/fe-columnist/column-the-companies-
act-2013-road-to-csr-non-compliance/260467/> accessed 25 May 2016.
455
Section 134(3)(o) Companies Act 2013

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 (i) eradicating extreme hunger and poverty;

(ii) promotion of education;

(iii) promoting gender equality and empowering women;

(iv) reducing child mortality and improving maternal health;

(v) combating human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency

syndrome, malaria and other diseases;

(vi) ensuring environmental sustainability;

(vii) employment enhancing vocational skills;

(viii) social business projects;

Companies may also meet the requirements of the law by contributing to ‘the Prime

Minister's National Relief Fund or any other fund set up by the Central Government or the

State Governments for socio-economic development and relief and funds for the welfare of

the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, minorities and

women’.456 Clause (x) of section 135 is an ombudsman clause admitting ‘such other matters

as may be prescribed’.457 Rule 2(2) of the (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy)

Amendment Rules 2016 which came into force on 23 May 2016 amended the principal Rules

published in 2014458, allows companies to implement CSR activities through limited liability

corporations set up for charitable purposes.459

The legislation rightly stipulates general principles and fundamental guideline according to

the CSR norms and reform the Government of India is seeking to achieve or establish. It

456
Clause xi, Schedule VII, Companies Act 2013
457
Clause x, Schedule VII, Companies Act 2013
458
The Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules 2014 came into force on 1 April
2014, setting out rules for the implementation of section 135 Companies Act 2013 provisions on CSR.
459
Limited liability companies can be set up for charitable purposes under Section 8, Companies Act
2013

181
retains some discretion for the companies regarding the choice of the projects to fund. This

seems to be a deliberation act of deference to the sensitivities of the free market system.

5.4.3 Mauritius

The research of Renginee Pillay has shown that CSR is widely practiced, and at the same

time, being used as a developmental tool in Mauritius.460 She noted that the early CSR

practices was pioneered by subsidiaries of multinationals who were self-regulating.461

Mauritius also had social problems arising from a popular riot in 1999 and leading to

heightened sensitivity of CSR, which state by 2007 sought the cooperation of business to

resolve, while seemingly accepting the model of CSR as corporate philanthropism. 462 By

2009 legislation was proposed to require companies spend 2% of their profit on CSR

activities approved by the government or remit such funds to the government for the state to

determine its disbursement.

The Mauritian legal framework for CSR has been conspicuously reviewed in 2015. The

President of Mauritius announced in the 2015 Budget speech the intention to implement ‘a

new concept to allow for institutions that are contributing to CSR to take under their wings

those unsustainable pockets of poverty’ in the country.463 The plan to be commenced with

‘meeting with major companies to participate in this national initiative to resolve once for all

the problem of poverty’ in identified pockets of high-level poverty.464 The president further

stated;

460
Renginee Pillay, Changing Nature of Corporate Social Responsibility, The: CSR and Development
- The Case of Mauritius (Routledge 2015)
461
ibid 268
462
ibid 270
463
Paragraph 173 of the 2015 budget speech of the President of Mauritius on 27 January 2015
<http://mauritiusassembly.govmu.org/English/Documents/Add%20president/govprog2015.pdf>
accessed 15 August 2015.
464
ibid 176

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 I have given deep thoughts to the matter, and I have decided to review the CSR

system in depth. I have come to the conclusion that the preferred alternative is

to let companies decide on how best to fulfil their social responsibility and

obligation in a most effective manner. Companies, hereon, will be free to

allocate the 2 per cent of CSR according to their own set of priorities.465

Also, ‘all existing CSR guidelines’ were cancelled but reporting and explaining requirements

were retained.466 The Income Tax Act was amended accordingly to show that; ‘Every

company shall in every year set up a CSR Fund equivalent to 2 per cent of its chargeable

income of the preceding year to implement a CSR Programme in accordance with its own

CSR framework’.467 A definition of CSR programmes was proffered;

“CSR programme” means a programme having as its objects the

alleviation of poverty, the relief of sickness or disability, the advancement

of education of vulnerable persons or the promotion of any other public

object beneficial to the Mauritian community.468

A new provision stipulates that every company ‘shall submit as an annex to its return of

income a statement showing the amount of CSR spent and the details of CSR projects

implemented by the company during the income year’.469 The newly published regulations

represent reform aimed at the reorientation of companies towards creating shared value, and

leaning heavily on the discretionary compliance of companies while stipulating the minimum

465
ibid 178. This was further legislated via section 24(j) of the Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 2015 which amended section 50(L)(1) of the Income Tax Act 1995
466
ibid 180
467
Section 1 Income Tax Act 1995 (as amended)
468
Section 2 Income Tax Act 1995 (as amended)
469
Section 4(A) Income Tax Act 1995 (as amended)

183
expenditure required from them.470 This legislation deviates from the provisions of section

135 of the Companies Act 2013 of India which predetermined the sectors of the society

requiring the fund injection.

5.5 CSR and the Development Agenda; Individualism and Neo-liberalism v

Collectivism and Social capitalism

The CSR legislations of Indonesia, Mauritius and India demonstrate the conflict between the

need to promote capitalistic economic philosophies epitomised by the concept of

individualism and the need to foster collective communal economic aspirations through

idealised in notions of collectivism. I reach this conclusion on the basis of the dichotomised

aspirations of the society and business on the one hand and the interdependence of business-

society relations on the other.

The degree of need in a particular sector of the society may differ from one country to the

other but a common denominator can be observed; it all comes down to addressing social

need and promoting social and environmental harmony. At the heart of this issue are the

investors who want returns on their investment over a long-term, either for their immediate

benefit or, for its financial value at any futuristic date of disposal. In short, sustainable

existence or development of business is of interest to investors whom some reports show are

keen on seeing mandatory CSR reporting for publicly listed companies.471 The UN

Sustainable Stock Exchanges initiative is seeing major Stock Exchanges around the world

470
A government run website has been created to publish CSR activities and regulations but has
meagre information. See <www.csr.mu> accessed 15 August 2015.
471
Charlotte Malone, ‘Mandatory Corporate Responsibility Reporting Favoured in Poll’ Blue and
Green Tomorrow (blueandgreen.com, 12 July 2014)
<http://blueandgreentomorrow.com/2013/11/19/mandatory-corporate-responsibility-reporting-
favoured-in-poll/> accessed 12 July 2014.

184
embracing its objectives.472 Jedrzej G Frynas, confirmed that regarding “the relationship

between socially responsible behaviour on the part of companies and their financial

performance, the majority of them pointing to a positive relationship between the two

variables”.473

As denoted by Nicholas N. Eberstadt,474 involvement of businessmen in the affairs of their

immediate community is not novel; what he argues changed is the form of business

organisation and the contestation of the notion of CSR in contemporary business. Eberstadt

notes that the boundaries of business has changed in form over the past centuries from simple

forms of social engagement of individual businessmen to complex interactions in the post-

industrial era. Eberstadt put it succinctly by stating that;

“Business seldom has enjoyed so much power with so little responsibility. The

extent to which responsibility and accountability are accepted by or imposed

upon corporate capitalism will be the measure of our adjustment to industrial

and post-industrial life”475

It is this balance of responsibility with accountability that has defined much of CSR discuss

with business insisting that making profits is its main objective which can be realised with

less regulation. The issues of social welfare and prosperity capitalist say will come

automatically out of free market operations. This argument is not contested in CSR discuss. It

is the operational fallouts of corporate transactions that are engaged by CSR. Issues such as

472
Nigeria is an assigned partner for the UN Sustainable Stock Exchange (SSE) initiative. The list of
partners is published on the official website of the UN SSE
<http://www.sseinitiative.org/partners/stock-exchanges/> accessed 08 August 2014.
473
Jedrzej G Frynas, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility and International Development: Critical
Assessment’ (2008) 16(4) Corporate Governance (Blackwell) 274, 278
474
Nicholas N. Eberstadt, ‘What History Tells us about Corporate Responsibility’ (Autumn 1973) 7
Business and Society Review/Innovation 73
475
Ibid 79

185
human rights, the environment and wider social issues require outside intervention for

comprehensive assessment and engagement. The two sides of the CSR debate keenly engage

socialist and capitalist theorist who in view of the corporate collapses are on different divides

of the state-regulation debate. Capitalist advocate the simple and singleness of deregulation

and the stakeholder or pluralist view demand inclusive to be included in business

considerations.

What role can effective CSR programs play in a developing country? This question is

pertinent in view of the objective of states in legislating or seeking legislation of CSR. Utting

and Marques have identified the use of CSR as a contemporary social policy, corporate

political and developmental tool.476 A managerial view of CSR may exclude the

acknowledgement of stakeholders while others view it as a function of promoting only those

social objectives that may bring profits to business. When viewed from outside business the

responsibilities what business are being induced to accept, include the solution to practically

all social problems like the attainment of the MDGs.

Social policy framers often rely on all financial assets that can be acquired to meet set

objectives. Often limited state funds available are insufficient to execute the ambitious

proposals announced in budgetary speeches yearly. The task of achieving development in

developing countries cannot be undertaken by governments alone meagre incomes relative to

social needs is a barrier. This necessitates the ‘all hands on deck’ approach by governments

seeking to accelerate social justice and development. Although government is traditionally

tasked with providing social amenities and environmental security, the activities of economic

agents interact with both the human and physical environment detrimentally. Laura Alberada

et al. maintained that;

476
Peter Utting and José Carlos Marques (eds), Corporate Social Responsibility and Regulatory
Governance (Palgrave Macmillan 2009)

186
 ‘In the traditional context, governments had political power and were the

only authorities that could legislate. Globalization has changed all this, and

now economic relationships go beyond national boundaries and the

organizations that operate in civil society.’477

There seems to be a perception by the general populace in developing countries, that there is

inextricable link between the control of natural resources and social issues like poverty and

wealth distribution. Achieving consensus ad idem478 between business and the state is not an

easy task. However, it is an essential one; the relationship is more interdependence and

reliance than is apparent. Governments these days do not create and run businesses and

corporations cannot flout legislation with impunity for long especially where harm can be

caused to the general populace. Increasing education of the populace and the vibrancy of

social media ensures fast-spreading news of what is both good and bad. While the primary

need of corporations is to find the labour and natural materials to produce goods and services

to the population, the population provides the manpower and materials both elements that are

often protected by the state.

The campaign cannot be for government-led reform only and many CSOs in developing

countries follow developments with vigilance and alertness. Importantly, as we have seen that

access to information technology and communication aids the quick dissemination of news

and rallying without physical boundaries is easily facilitated. Recently, Facebook was

accused of unwitting complicity in the murder of Lee Rigby, a British soldier who was

murdered by a fundamental religious extremist in London.479 The family of Rigby denounced

477
Laura Albareda et al., ‘The changing roles of government in corporate social responsibility; drivers
and responses’ (2008) 17 (4) Business Ethics: A European Review 349.
478
Consensus as idem means ‘the meeting of the minds’ or ‘agreement’.
479
Lee Rigby, a fusilier with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, an arm of the British Army was
murdered on 22 May 2013 in Woolwich, London by Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, two

187
Facebook for not reporting the possible attack. Social commentary on this report suggested

that Facebook had a moral responsibility to report the incriminating messages posted by one

of the attackers regarding his explicit plan to commit murder.480 The big technological

companies are being coaxed to be actively engaged in CSR activities.

CSR should be transformative in developing countries.481 Foreign companies are using “soft

power” or international diplomacy based on using economic and cultural influences to

achieve cooperation in CSR issues. CSR as previously practiced - more or less as strategic

corporate philanthropy – which found expression in many gifting and ameliorative activities

embarked upon by business as social intervention projects. The assessment of the

programmes as to whether they are allied to corporate ends is not easily determinable. With

shareholder scrutiny and competitiveness, corporate philanthropy is becoming subjected to

greater analysis to ensure relevance and alignment to corporate financial and productivity

objectives.

CSR perspectives in emerging economies has largely assimilated the neo-liberal perspective

peddled by their major investment and trading partners. With the rise of production and

manufacturing by large corporations in China and members of the Association of Southeast

Asia Nations (ASEAN), focus was brought to bear on human rights, environmental and other

Nigerian born British terrorists. See Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Report on the
intelligence relating to the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby, (HC 795 published 25 November 2014).
This further led to the presentation before Parliament the Anti-terrorism and Security Bill before
Parliament on 26 November 2014.
480
Government departments in charge of intelligence did not escape some criticism. Isabella Sankey,
Director of Policy for Liberty, said: "This Report catalogues staggering Security Service failures in
dealing with the men responsible for this horrific crime - countless missed surveillance opportunities;
delayed investigations, dumping dangerous citizens abroad and ignoring allegations of MI5
mistreatment”. See <https://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/news/press-releases/liberty-responds-
isc-report-intelligence-relating-murder-lee-rigby> accessed 29 November 2014.
481
Renginee Pillay op cit 3, argued that the earlier forms of CSR sought to transform corporations. I
argue that the transformation required is the impact that CSR makes in society. It should not be
merely ameliorative but should impact society tot eh extent of being transformative. Otherwise, CSR
will not serve more than a rhetorical value in developing countries.

188
issues. As many of these countries engaged in international trade with developing countries

issues have also been raised about their CSR practices.

Frynas has submitted that obtaining competitive advantage, maintaining a stable working

environment, managing external perceptions and keeping employees happy are among factors

that induced companies in the extractive industry to undertake community-based

development projects.482 In an economy seeking to exploit its agricultural and solid mineral

potentials through FDI and by increasing the capacity of local companies to develop

alternative sources of foreign exchange earnings, keen competition is predictable in the

extractive industry sector of the Nigerian economy in the next few decades. The Nigerian

President’s 2016 budget speech highlighted the commitment of the government in promoting

business in the extractive industry.483 The time to set out community relations strategies of

extractive industry through well-articulated CSR policies and/or legislation perhaps is prior

the predictable surge in new entrants into the extractive industry.

The incentivising of business through favourable tax measures for instance, may provide

business with the needed impetus to sustain their CSR initiatives. CSR projects that target

human capacity building should be encouraged as global economic activity is becoming

increasingly knowledge-based. Conversely, governments may ‘compensate” business for

meeting pre-defined targets measured in terms of social impact.484 Regarding businesses in

the extractive industry, a similar structure may lead to better environmentally sustainable

projects for example, if targets are set for recycling materials as part of an overall sourcing

strategy for companies that use such materials. A company may therefore increase the usage

482
Jedrzej George Frynas, ‘The false developmental promise of Corporate Social Responsibility:
evidence from multinational oil companies’ International Affairs 81, 2005, 583
483
The decline in the price of crude oil globally has necessitated a major shift in focus of the Nigerian
economy.
484
See Dima Jamali and Wilfried R. Vanhonacker, ‘A Win-Win Model for Shared-value Corporate
Strategic Philanthropy, http://www.europeanfinancialreview.com May 2015, 55

189
of recyclable materials if incentivised by government when social impact targets set for the

industry are met.485 A unique advantage of this scheme is that it reduces the need for

enforcement and monitoring. A notable disadvantage is the probable high cost of the

incentive required to gain the interest of business that will be sufficient to instigate a self-

motivated compliance. Dima Jamali and Wilfried R. Vanhonacker have noted correctly the

importance of realising that “the arrival of risk capital in the social sphere is predicated on (a)

social programmes becoming more impact-focused, and (b) returns that attract risk-tolerant

investors”.486 Although businesses are foremostly profit-oriented than socially-motivated,487

the combined effect of enhanced corporate reputation and financial compensation for

achieving socially impactful programmes may augur positively.

Major factors influencing the future development of CSR may be attributable to the result of

convergence resulting from the international economic cooperation among states. An

indication of predictable convergence from the international economic activity of states is

demonstrable from the formation of the BRICS Development Bank in 2014 during the

BRICS summit in Brazil.488 The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)

in 2003 is another instance of deepening and widening economic and trade relations that

point towards greater political cooperation in achieving international economic cohesion.

Worthy of observation is the fact that, so as to achieve the commonality of purpose by the

states forming these multilateral organisations, the forms of business organisation being

adopted is invariably capitalist. It will be therefore inevitable that the issues of corporate

governance and responsibility will not recur in these jurisdictions.

485
It would be pretentious to discount the issues regarding the acceptability of indices for valuation of
social impact and the value to be placed accordingly.
486
Note above Ibid 56
487
This statement does not derogate from the fact that socially-motivated investors seem to be
increasing.
488
See http://thediplomat.com/2014/07/3-reasons-the-brics-new-development-bank-matters/ also for
criticisms

190
The focus on corporate managers to understand, embrace and promote CSR principles has

received attention recently at various conferences.489 It is arguable, that since the turn of this

century, business has been responding with seriousness to societal matters which have been

designated CSR issues. Businesses who engage positively with the society are thought to be

gaining comparative advantage through the pursuit of CSR initiatives. Increasingly,

advocates are arguing the financial advantages and a ‘business case’ for CSR. As the number

of advocates increase who reinforce improvement and development of CSR and corporate

governance, corresponding action has led to CSR being injected into corporate strategy and

practices in the boardroom.490 The challenge facing CSR is its inculcation into corporate

governance. However, the success of CSR may depend on reforming corporate governance;

arguably, the power to affect social impact lays in the hands of corporate managers who go

beyond the conventional objective of profiteering to promote wider social developmental

goals. In developing countries, the mixture of free market consideration and need to

safeguard domestic concerns has intertwined to develop a unique blend of CSR

conceptualisation.

The important and growing subject of “environmentality” is becoming popuar. It discusses

the intertwined relationship between political and legal control of natural resources

exploitation agenda on one hand and human capital development program based on the

principle that natural resources are res communis. The recently concluded World Climate

Summit 2014 was well-attended by states.491 Since the adoption of the UN Framework on

489
See “Asian Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR) Underscores Mindset Change among
Businesses to Create Impact on Society” http://www.marketwatch.com/story/asian-forum-on-corporate-social-
responsibility-afcsr-underscores-mindset-change-among-businesses-to-create-impact-on-society-2015-09-09
accessed 11 September 2015.
490
Jedrzej G Frynas, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility and International Development: Critical
Assessment’ (2008) 16(4) Corporate Governance (Blackwell) 274, 279
491
This summit held in Lima, Peru on 10th December 2014. It was the ‘5th edition’ of the World
Climate Summit series which began in 1992. Over 700 “high-level participants from both the private

191
Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the 1992 Rio earth Summit an annual Conference of Parties

(COP) has been held to review implementation of the Convention with the Kyoto COP being

notable for the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention

on Climate Change in 1998.

The ambit of corporate responsibility has been growing and as the range of corporate-societal

engagement widens, the frontiers of responsibilities are enlarged. I argue that what constitutes

the responsibility of business and whether once identified it should come within a regulatory

purview. Whether the regulation should be by legislation is the crux of the argument that is at

the heart of the CSR debate. In developing countries legislation may not be enough to achieve

the compliance of business due to lack of enforcement resources but the Indian and Mauritian

examples show that legislation need not be draconian.

5.6 Summary

In what is now an important phenomenon in economic and socio-political studies, CSR is

being spurred by increasing globalisation with ramifications for the emerging markets and

developing countries. The impact of globalisation is being evaluated with a view to

suggesting pragmatic approaches to CSR regulation. Several international economic blocs

and affiliations exist reflecting shared financial and development statuses. The largest of

these in terms of percentage of global wealth, advancement in economy and development are

the Group of 7 (G7) consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United

and public sector” attended it in preparation for Paris 2015. See <http://www.wclimate.com/world-
climate-summit-2014/> accessed 30 December 2014.

192
Kingdom and the United States.492 The wealth of these countries combined constitute the

majority of global wealth and are dominating the CSR discuss with developing countries now

developing independent approaches using legislation to mandate compliance. It is interesting

to note that CSR legislation is aimed primarily at the wealthiest corporations and most MNCs

are captured by relevant provisions of the mandating regulations.

Whilst the economic growth is incontestable, some differences can be perceived in their

wealth, political stability and mature state governance apparatus; independence of the

judiciary, low corruption and high literacy levels or demarcate what some have identified as a

North-South divide. The proliferation of mandatory CSR in developing countries as discussed

in this chapter has being recognised as a result of corporate stakeholder orientation activities

that augured firmer regulatory standards.493

The examples of Mauritius, India, Indonesia - and lately the Philippines494 – seems to be

encouraging other countries to legislate on mandating CSR. The case of Nigeria offers an

interesting examination as it has particular socio-cultural idiosyncrasies that marks its

uniqueness and the need to have a CSR regime that is suited to it. The quest by Nigeria of a

CSR legislation is the focus of the next chapter.

492
This group was first formed in 1975 and known as the Group of 6 (G6) before Canada joined) and
later the Group of 8 (G8). With Russia’s exclusion in March 2014 following its annexation of Crimea,
there has been a reversion to G7.
493
Tanusree Jain, Ruth V. Aguilera and Dima Jamali, ‘Corporate Stakeholder Orientation in an
Emerging Country Context: A Longitudinal Cross Industry Analysis’ (2016) Journal of Business
Ethics
494
See the Corporate Social Responsibility Act 2011 of the Philippines.
<https://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/109799357!.pdf> accessed

193
 CHAPTER SIX

CSR in Nigeria; practice and law

6.1 Introduction

This chapter examines the development of CSR in Nigeria. In particular, it identifies the

models of CSR practised in Nigeria by MNCs, contextualised by regulatory framework and

the existing the socio-economic and political environment. Starting with a brief socio-

political and economic history of Nigeria, the various influencers of Nigerian CSR law and

practice were identified next. Following the celebrated emergence of Brazil, Russia, India,

China and South Africa,495 Nigeria has been ranked among ten other countries called the

“Next11” and designated the ‘emerging economy’ 496 status by Goldman Sachs in 2008.497

Nigeria’s economic importance justifies the interest of this research.

An investigation of the extent to which imported practices have influenced present practices

is also undetaken in this chapter. In this regard Amaeshi, Amao et al. have queried the

originality of the model of CSR practised in Nigeria.498 With the adoption of various

international treaties, Nigeria assumes the responsibility of adopting and implementing the

tenets of such instruments domestically. The current regulatory framework is threfore

analysed to identify its limitations and pospects, given the several attempts at passing a CSR

495
These are also known collectively by the acronym - the BRICS nations.
496
The term “developing countries” is relative to members of this group from which other nations are
termed either “emerging economies” or “developing economies”.
497
See <http://www.euromonitor.com/the-next-11-emerging-economies/article> accessed 18 August
2015.
498
Kenneth M Amaeshi, Bongo C Adi, Chris Ogbechie and Olufemi Amao ‘Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria: Western Mimicry or Indigenous Practices.’

194
legislation in Nigeria. Although the focus of this chapter is Nigeria, comparative analogies

are drawn from other developing or emerging economies.

To apply any theories to CSR discourse in Nigeria, an overview of existent legal corporate

law framework is necessary. Thus, an enumeration of various legislations that impact upon

corporate activity are identified and discussed. The various regulatory authorities and

participants shaping CSR discourse in Nigeria are identified, for example, the efforts of CSOs

is noted. Also, the contribution of pressure groups to human rights advocacy, and endeavour

towards popularising the need for best practices regarding ecological protection and social

justice by MNCs is overviewed. Furthermore, a careful interrogation of the other influences

and stakeholder interests that contribute to the development of contemporary CSR practices

in the extractive industry is evaluated.

The importance of influencing and complimenting developmental efforts of the government

is discussed to understand the importance of CSR policy and objectives and its alignment

with modern Nigerian corporate objectives. The effect of proposed CSR legislation on

business is, therefore, of interest in this research. The judicial proceedings challenging

corporate activities in domestic and international courts are examined as are legislations that

have extraterritorial effect on corporations.

Given the social dynamics, economic challenges and international influences on the practise

of CSR in Nigeria, this chapter examines the existing legal framework and what legally

mandating CSR portends for business. It also explores the dynamics of national law,

domestic culture, the ever-present international influences and how they interact to determine

the interpretation of CSR in Nigeria.

195
6.2 A concise socio-political history of Nigeria

Nigeria in 2013 was the most populated African country and the world’s 7th most populous

nation with its population estimated at 173 million with an annual growth rate of 2.8%.499

The political, cultural and socio-economic existence of the peoples of the many tribes and

peoples of Nigeria were simplistic and agrarian. The pre-colonial dispensation was somewhat

opposed diametrically to the European colonialist culture of bourgeoning industrialisation. As

opposed to individualism and the enjoyment of right to personal property, there was a

communal enjoyment of natural endowments which were perceived as divine blessing not to

be exploited for the benefit of anyone but the benefit of all collectively. 500 Thus, collectivism

was practised as opposed to the pursuit of individualism. Some cultural practices were

barbaric and soon outlawed by the colonial masters.501 The colonial era thus heralded a

fundamental change in the social structures of the indigenous population. Politically, the

domination of the colonialists and the usurpation of local cultures, and slave trading subdued

the indigenous peoples of Nigeria. Under the new dispesation, the new Constitution of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria 1960 consisted of the adoption and incorporation of the Statutes

of General Application in force in England and Wales in 1990 which was imposed on the

new state.

499
This is an estimate based on widely quoted UN statistics which is generally accepted. See
<https://data.un.org/CountryProfile.aspx?crName=NIGERIA> accessed 27 December 2014.
500
Yuriy Gorodnichenko and Gerard Roland, ‘Understanding the Individualism-Collectivism
Cleavage and its Effects: Lessons from Cultural Psychology’ An undated paper by two economics
professors of Unversity of Carlifornia, available online at;
<http://eml.berkeley.edu/~groland/pubs/IEA%20papervf.pdf> accessed 16 May 2017.
501
The killing of twins, discriminatory caste systems and ritual killings that went on are still part of
the national social fabric. This may be contrasted with the European Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

196
Although Nigeria gained independence from Great Britain in 1960, it became a republic in

1963.502 The country’s Northern and Southern Protectorates – as they were known before

independence - were amalgamated in 1914 to form the single political entity. The name

‘Nigeria’ was derived from the longest and most popular landmark in the country – the River

Niger – which runs from the northeast to the oil-rich delta regions of the deep southern part

of the country. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria503 is the primary source of

legislation. As discernible from its name, the country runs a federal system of government

with devolved powers to 36 states and a quasi-independent Federal Capital Territory and 774

Local Government authorities.504

In the early 1970s, Nigeria began to promote compulsory indigenous participation in business

with the enactment of the Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decree 1972 and the Nigerian

Enterprises Promotion Decree 1977 (which are also known as the ‘indigenisation Act’ of

1972 and 1977 respectively), to imbue foreign corporations with local cultural practices.505

By these laws, the then military government of Nigeria ‘not only attempted to bar whole and

partial foreign ownership and activity in certain types of enterprise but also has encouraged

foreign and domestic capital partnership where necessary for the long term acquisition of

technological and managerial skills’.506 Most of the subsequent economic legislation also

502
Between 1960 nd 1963 when Nigeria became a republic, the Privy Council of the House of Lords
sitting in London, England was its highest court of appeal.
503
The current version of the Constitution is the 1999 Constitution which is constantly amended by
Acts of Parliament of the federal legislature.
504
Section 2 and 3 of the Consitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999. The Federal Capital -
Abuja – is administered by an appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory who is appointed by
the President. Nigeria for policy considerations is divided into 6 geo-political zones; the North-East,
North- Central, North-West, South-South, South-East and South-West.
505
For a full discussion on the impact of the indigenisation policy of Nigeria in the 1970s see Ismaila
Mohammed, ‘The Nigerian Enterprises Promotion Decrees (1972 and 1977) and Indigenisation in
Nigeria’ (DPhil thesis, University of Warwick, 1985)
506
Ibid 333

197
purport to encourage technological transfer and skill acquisition from local participation in

foreign companies’ investments and operations.507

The Nigerian government has also implemented policy reforms aimed at institutionalising

government response in the Niger Delta region which is susceptible to CSR issues by

establishing the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development

Commission (NDDC) in 2000.508 Some believe it is a redress of the decades of poor

development of the communities where oil extraction has caused environmental devastation.

Kplovie and Sado have criticised the NDDC for being ineffective and attributed this to

‘political appointees running riot with its fund to the detriment of the host communities’.509

The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was formed in 2008 elevating the issue of Niger delta

from a departmental-level to a ministerial-level responsibility ‘to formulate and coordinate

policies for the development and security of the Niger Delta Region’.510 It is my opinion that

the creation of the Ministry is a responsive strategy whereby government meets the social

development needs of the people through educational and other programmes to engage the

youth of the region in productively rather than destructively. This is supportive of the

Ministry’s stated functions ‘to ensure peace, stability and security with a view to enhancing

the economic potentials for the Region’.511 The Ministry’s role in promoting social cohesion

is important in securing the source of the majority of Nigeria’s government revenue which is

507
A government agency - National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) - is
dedicated to the task of technology acquisition and transfer in Nigeria. It is an agency under the
Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
508
The precursors of the Niger Delta Developmenet Commission were the Niger Delta Development
Board (NDDB) and the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC)
established in 1960 and 1992 respectively.
509
P J Kpolovie and A Sado, ‘CSR for Conflict Resolution in Niger Delta Oil and Gas Industry’
British Journal of Environmental Sciences (2016) Vol 4. No. 5 1 – 53, 11.
510
An official history of the Ministry of Niger Deta Affairs is available at:
<http://www.nigerdelta.gov.ng/index.php/the-ministry/history-of-mnda> accessed 8 April 2017
511
Ibid

198
often unsecured during militant uprisings, a point well canvassed by Paki and Ebienfa. 512 The

local communities in the Niger Delta since resorting to armed agitations which have resulted

in military campaigns to neutralise the ‘militants’ and their operations.513

In the post-colonial era, the ruling political elite established Nigeria on the footing of a major

regional political force. Hence, Nigeria adopted the African Charter on Human and Peoples’

Rights 1981 after ratifying it 1983.514 It is correct to say that human rights abuses are

invariably more during the military regimes which dot Nigeria’s political history. During the

regime of General Sani Abacha in 1995, Nigeria was expelled from the Commonwealth of

Nations as a direct protest over the hanging of environmental activists notorious for a

vociferous demand for remediation of devastations caused by oil exploration companies in

Ogoniland.515

Politically, Nigeria has been a full member of the major international political organisations

like the United Nations (UN) and its financial institutions like the International Monetary

Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. Nigeria is currently serving in the Security Council.516

Nigeria is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union (AU) and the

512
Fideliss A E Paki and Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, ‘Militant Oil Agitations in Nigeria’s Niger
Delta and the Economy’ International Journal of Humanities and Social Science (2011) Vol. 1 No. 5.
513
Oronto Douglas, Ike Okonta and Dimieari Von Kemedi, ‘Oil and Militancy in the Niger Delta:
Terrorist threat or another Colombia?’ (2004) Institute of International Studies, University of
California, Berkeley, USA Working Paper No. 4, 2
<http://geog.berkeley.edu/ProjectsResources/ND%20Website/NigerDelta/WP/4-
DouglasVonOkonta.pdf> accessed 16 May 2016.
514
This charter became part of Nigerian law on the 17th March 1983 by virtue of African Charter on
Human and Peoples’ Rights (Application and Enforcement) Act Cap 10 Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria 1990.
515
This refers to the hanging of the renown environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others in
1995.
516
Nigeria is serving a fourth stint at the Security Council since its independence and a second time
since 2010 under the presidency of Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The current term expires in 2018.

199
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It is also a member of strategic

regional and international multilateral organisations such the Organisation of Petroleum

Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) while

maintaining strong affiliations with Organisation for Economic Cooperation and

Development (OECD). The efforts at regional integration have been sought at both

continental and sub-continental levels through the AU and ECOWAS.

Nigeria’s corporate history and economic emergence

The culture and customs of the indigenous Nigerian population is an important influence on

what constitutes social responsibility of corporations. Amaeshi et al. have noted that in

Nigeria like the rest of the world, the ‘meaning and practice of CSR is socio-culturally

embedded’.517 The cultures and customs of Northern Nigeria is predominantly influenced by

Islamic religion while Christianity dominates in the Southern part of the country. Despite the

differences in culture mostly influenced by religion, the economic activities of most

indegineous Nigerian communities are agrarian. The first large modern corporations were oil

exploration and production MNCs which are still relevant in constributing to the production

of the major revenue earner for Nigeria – crude oil – since exploration started in 1953 -

1954.518 The low-level diversification of the Nigerian economy has led to the constinuation of

traditional economic activities based on farming. While the oil and gas sector employ less

than 2% of the population, agriculture employs about 48% of the population but contributes

less to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).519

517
Amaeshi K, Bongo Adi, Chris Ogbechie and Olufemi Amao, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) in Nigeria: Western Mimicry or Indigenous Practices?’ (2006) 24 JCC 83, 86.
518
Alabi O F and Ntukekpo S S, ‘Oil Companies and Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria: An
Empirical Assessment of Chevron’s Community Development Projects in the Niger Delta’ (2012) 4
British Journal of Arts and Social Sciences 361 - 372, 362
519
See the United Nations Data <http://data.un.org/CountryProfile.aspx?crName=Nigeria> accessed
19 May 2017.

200
The earliest international trade connection with Nigeria has been recorded to be around 1861.

The British traders and explorers “discovered” Nigeria in 1861 influencing administrative

and political structures that led to the establishment of the Protectorates. Nigeria’s first

constitution was in 1914 followed by several constitutional conferences culminating in the

independence constitution of 1960. Nigeria upon independence adopted the entire ‘statutes of

general application’ operative in England and Wales as its basic legislation.520 The most

prominent trading company with pre-independence history is the United African Company

which still operates as one of the largest conglomerates in Nigeria today.521 UAC and other

companies like it were trading companies majoring in commodities like cocoa and coal but

have now diversified into a wide range of economic activities.

The discovery of crude oil in the Niger Delta 1957 marked the emergence of Nigeria as a

significant buoyant economy with regard to its revenues. The first decade post-independence

became a watershed in the economic history of Nigeria as trading in commodities was

replaced by a more lucrative production and trade in global crude oil. As Alley et al. further

noted ‘stability and gradual growth of the economy reversed in the era of oil-dominant

economy’.522 The increasing dependence on oil export and the fluctuating fortunes due to

pricee shocks changed the economic and social structure of Nigeria.523 The proliferation of

oil and gas exploration and production in the Niger Delta area heralded the agitation for

modern social responsibilitiy. The vociferous campaigns of indigenes of this region is

520
Section 45 of the Interpretation Act, Cap.89, Laws of the Federation and Lagos, I950 provided
that the statutes of general application that were in force in England on the 1st day of January, 1900
shall be in force in the Federation. This law formed the basic foundation of the subsequent Nigerian
constitutions.
521
UAC was founded in 1879 following the merger of four companies trading up the River Niger:
Alexander Miller Brother & Company, Central African Trading Company Limited; West African
Company Limited and James Pinnock. A full company history is available online
<http://www.uacnplc.com/history/> accessed 19 June 2017.
522
Ibrahim Alley, Asekomeh Ayodele, Mobolaji Hakeem and Yinka A Adeniran, ‘Oil Price Shocks
and Nigerian Economic Growth’ (2014) 10 European Scientific Journal 375 – 391, 377.
523
Ibid

201
contributory to the significant awareness of the public. The attempts at legislating CSR will,

therefore, be of reflective of the issues that may impact the major multinational oil

corporations that have established Nigeria’s economic importance as a major oil producing

country.

The influx oil companies began with the granting of sole exploratory licence to Shell BP

leading to the discovery of oil in 1956. The dependence on oil exports entrenched the

importance of the foreign oil companies which entered into protective trade agreements with

Nigeria thereby expanding their foothold and influence on the development of the crucial oil

and gas sector in Nigeria. That the preponderance of the large multinational companies set

the tone for CSR practices of foreign multinationals is not in doubt.

The issue of corruption which has received international attention and has resulted to

enormous wealth ‘in the hands of politicians and industry insiders’ through malpractices in

the oil and gas sector.524 As at 2000, the estimated oil and gas reserve of Nigeria was 158

TCF, and daily crude oil production stood at 2.2million barrels per day (Bpd) according the

state-controlled Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).525 The processes which are

laid down for proper accounting of the production and sales of petroleum products has

constantly been criticised for acking in transparency. A cursory review of the activities of the

major corporate activities in Nigeria will reveal breaches of ethical corporate dealings and

operations thorugh bribery gas flaring, water and land pollution all of which cause constant

524
See the report of Transparency International available online at;
<https://www.transparency.org/topic/detail/oil_and_gas> accessed 20 May 2017.
525
For general information on the history of the Nigerian oil sector see the NNPC website:
<http://www.nnpcgroup.com/NNPCBusiness/BusinessInformation/OilGasinNigeria/InvestmentPotent
ial.aspx> accessed 17 August 2015.

202
friction with host communities.526 The effect of oil and gas exploitation activities has resulted

in the reduction of the quality of life in the affected communities. Although the IOCs and

indigenous oil companies are mostly public quoted companies, the regulation of their

activities fall within the purview of state agencies with which they have joint venture

agreements. The connection between the IOCs and the government of Nigeria may be

influencing the manner in which government responds to calls for stricter corporate

regulation.

It is important to note also that international and national organisations advocating for CSR

have increased in number and influence as IOCs proliferate in Nigeria. These organisations

influence CSR policies and practices in Nigeria by aiming to curb corporate unaccountability.

For instance, Egbe and Paki observed that the publications of Shell regarding their CSR

programmes was ‘constantly contested by NGOs, academics, civil society groups, human

rights groups etc.’.527 The history of CSR in Nigeria will therefore not be complete without

the mention of the IOCs, MNCs and those who oppose them.

Criticisms of legislating CSR in Nigeria: surreptitious taxation?

One the most recurring criticism of legislating CSR in Nigeria is that it is furtive taxation.

When in 2011 a Corporate Social Responsibility Bill was proposed, providing for companies

to set aside 3.5 per cent of gross profits for CSR activities, it was dubbed a “CSR tax” and

firmly rejected by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 528 The criticism and

rejection of the Bill was understandable considering that section 2(2) of the Tertiary

526
Frynas, Jedrzej George, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility in the Oil and Gas Sector’, (2009) 2(3)
Journal of World Energy Law & Business 178-195, 192
527
Olawari D.J. Egbe and Fidelis A E Paki, ‘The Rhetoric of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
in the Niger Delta’ American International Journal of Contemporary Research (2005) 1(3) 123 – 133,
128
528
See http://www.businessrespect.net/page.php?Story_ID=2457 last accessed 18 September 2015

203
Education Trust Fund Act 2011 provided for registered companies to pay 2 percent of annual

profits for educational development.

Also, the lack of transparency in the administration of the state funds and the corrupt

enrichment of governmeent officials undermines confidence in the institutions of state and

the enjoyment of political, social and economic rights. It leads to society’s distrust of state

regulation and management of CSR initiatives. Ameshi et al. observed that Nigeria is

characterised by ‘corruption, tax evasion, bribery’ and weak institutions.529 With political

parties in Nigeria being the most corrupt institutions in the country, the war against

corruption is facing intractability.530 Nigeria in its bid to stem the tide of corruption, however,

signed the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) on the 9th of December

2003 and ratified it on the 24th October 2004. Enforcement of anti-bribery and corruption

must be focused on two major industries where corruption is rampant: resource extraction

and construction.531 CSR however, is not a slogan exclusively employed in demanding big

business in oil and gas and construction industries to operate responsibly. As an emerging

economy, the drive to improve infrastructure and to achieve a better balance of payment

position through the promotion of manufacturing and export indicates that corporations will

be involved in many unpopular industries such as textiles, chemical production, agro-allied

processing, food preservation, ICT, packaging etc. CSR should, therefore, be publicised as

being of interest to all companies, whatever their size or industry. This is because big

corporations - whether local or multinational – procure production materials and components

from smaller local companies. Amaeshi et al. have observed that big corporations ‘have an

529
Kenneth Amaeshi, Emmanuel Adegbite andTazeeb Rajwani ‘Corporate Social Responsibility in
Challenging and Non-enabling Institutional Contexts: Do Institutional Voids matter?’ J Bus Ethics
(2016) 135–153, 140
530
This is the result of a survey reported by Transparency International’s in its Global Corruption
Barometer 2013, 17
531
Paul Collier, The Bottom Billion Oxford University Press (2009) 137

204
analogous power of the State in their value chain—especially with their direct suppliers’ and

may be vicariously responsible for their actions and so can influence them.532 It is therefore in

the interest of a company to acquaint itself with the practices of another with which it deals.

Herein lies the rationale of the stakeholder approach to CSR.

In Nigeria, although the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry is the agency vested with

executive powers in matters affecting corporations, trade and foreign investment, it is not

vested with jurisdiction over CSR. The NEITI Act regulates the disclosure of mandatory

reports in the oil sector, and its parent department is the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel

Development. Despite the lack of institutional capacity and corruption, the criticisms against

mandating CSR can be rebutted when the policies proposed are directed towards social

development.

6.3 Nigeria Corporate Legal framework

Challenges of CSR in Nigeria

The CSR legal framework of Nigeria should meet the many domestic social and economic

challenges the society faces. The implementation of robust and effective CSR standards over

the past decades is urgent given the current international discourse that is causing states to

respond to both national and interntional demands for socially responsible corproations. It is

apparent that Nigeria continues to woo foreign investors marketing the country as a

favourable trade and investment hub.533

532
Ameshi et al (n 529) 146
533
The Nigeria Export Promotion Council and Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission are two
agencies of the government saddled with the responsibility of promoting exports of domestic products
and attracting foreign investors to the domestic economy. See

205
The response of international investors into Nigeria is partly dependent on the nature of its

regulatory framework though private unlisted companies outside of some regulated services

industry is very weak.534 Accordingly, MSMEs are largely unregulated due to infrastructural

deficit. Idemudia has written extensively on the CSR strategies of International Oil

Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria and observed that MNCs and public companies in the energy

sector are exposed to greater regulation.535

All laws flow from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)

1999 Constitution) and the legitimacy of all other laws are derived from it. Nigeria has no

special legislation on CSR. However, the intendment of certain legislation indicates that the

issue of the social responsibility of business is well-covered in various legislations.536 The

ethos of Nigeria’s constitution is entrenched as the Fundamental Principles of State Policy.537

Chapter II of the Constitution titled “The Fundamental Principles of State Policy” is

interesting given its acknowledgement of social and cultural rights. It has been argued that

social, economic and cultural rights are properly so-called “rights to’ rather than ‘freedoms

<http://www.nepc.gov.ng/page_corporate_overview.html> and <http://www.invest-nigeria.com/>

official websites of the two agencies, respectively.
534
There are private companies in telecommunications, banking and financial services which are
subject to stringent regulations via their professional or industry regulatory regimes.
535
Uwafiokun Idemudia and Umem Ite ‘‘Corporate-Community Relations in Nigeria’s Oil Industry:
Challenges and Imperatives’’ (2006) 13 Corp Soc Responsib Environ Mgmt 194 at 195; Uwafiokun
Idemudia, ‘Corporate Partnerships and Community Development in the Nigerian Oil Industry’
(United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD) Programme Paper, 2007). He
identifies several CSR models of IOCs in Nigeria such as “community assistance” and “community
development partnerships”.
536
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act 2011 and the Nigeria Oil and Gas Development Act 2010
also known as the ‘local content Act 2010’ are examples of legislation that are forcing CSR practices
however, not by using the explicit nomenclature of ‘CSR’.
537
Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). This
provision was introduced by the 1979 Constitution and retained in the current version.

206
from’ certain human rights.538 On the 1st day of December 2009, the new Fundamental

Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules came into force to ease access to justice.

It is important to mention that both foreign national laws, international standards, and the

Nigerian domestic legislation apply to MNCs. Therefore, two legal influences – internal and

external can be identified. The external influences and the implementation of international

standards of CSR in Nigeria have been discussed extensively in Chapter 4. In every country

where corporations are formed, there is invariably a body of laws governing the formation,

constitution and operation of business organisations. In Nigeria, the principal statute is the

Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 (the CAMA). The CAMA makes provision for

several kinds of corporations. The business corporations, however, are either private or public

companies. The private corporations are sometimes referred to as ‘closed’ corporations while

the publicly subscribed corporations are called ‘open’ corporations. Big businesses are

invariably ‘open’ corporations allowing subscription from investor owners consisting of

several investors as shareholders.

Although the homogeneous characteristics of big corporations are discernible in the corporate

law of all market economies where big corporations exist, other forms of business possess all

or some of these characteristics in varying degrees of sophistication. Ake surmises that;

If rights are to be meaningful in the context of people struggling to stay afloat

under very adverse economic and political conditions, they have to be concrete...

in the sense that their practical import is visible and relevant to the condition of

C. Welch, Jr. ‘Human Rights as a problem in contemporary African, in Welch and Meltzer (eds.)
538

Human Rights and Development in Africa (Albany: Sunny Press, 1984), P. 24

207
 existence of the people to whom they apply, and most importantly, concrete in

the sense that they can be realized by the beneficiary.539

Although human rights are universally recognised, in Africa the enjoyment of these rights is

relative to the political and economic ability of state to provide access to them540.

Nigerian Extractive Industry Regulatory Framework

The proliferation of oil and gas companies since Nigeria’s independence in 1960 has resulted

in the establishment of some regulatory agencies by the state. The National Environmental

Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) is charged with enforcing the

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy. The agency’s objective is to

‘have responsibility for the protection and development of the environment,

biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of Nigeria‘s natural

resources in general and environmental technology, including coordination and

liaison with relevant stakeholders within and outside Nigeria on matters of

enforcement of environmental standards, regulations, rules, laws, policies and

guidelines’.541

The National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (NOSRDA) is statutorily charged

with coordinating and implementing the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan for Nigeria. 542

This agency of government is currently tasked with the implementation of the Nigerian

Ogoniland clean-up exercise at the cost of $1billion. The United Nations Environment

539
Claude Ake, quoted in T. A. Aguda, Human Rights and the Right to Development in Africa (Lagos:
UILA, 1989) P. 26.
540
A. A. Na’im and F. Deng (Eds), Human Rights in Africa – Cross Cultural Perspectives
(Washington: The Brooking Institution, 1990
541
Section 2 of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency
(Establishment) Act 2007
542
Section 5 of the National Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency (Establishment) Act 2006

208
Programme (UNEP) is keenly following the developments in Nigeria. 543 This issue has

maintained some form of public attention since it first came to prominence in the early days

of oil exploration and culminating in the death by hanging of nine prominent Nigerian

activists.544

A renewed vigour has been witnessed respecting the clean-up of Ogoni. The lower chamber

of the Nigerian parliament passed a motion urging Shell and “other oil exploration companies

in the Niger Delta region to urgently carry out a joint environmental pollution audit of their

areas of operation and come up with a remediation plan and forward an interim report to the

House within thirty (30) days for further legislative action”. 545 It was also resolved that the

President of Nigeria was worthy of commendation for acting on the UNEP report and that

quarterly monitoring of compliance be undertaken by the Committees on legislative

compliance, Environment and Petroleum Resources (Downstream).546

Recognising the need to be at least perceived as not only a reporting tool but an action tool,

the EITI Global Conference 2016 was tagged ‘Reports to Results’ as more empirical

standards are being applied to assessing the value of CSR activities by companies.

Dichotomy of CSR in Nigeria; MNCs and socio-cultural domestic influences

Amaeshi et. confirmed that in Nigeria “CSR practice as a sociocultural product” that has

developed according to deep-rooted traditional practices of the people.547

543
See <http://www.unep.org/newscentre/default.aspx?DocumentID=27076&ArticleID=36199>
accessed 14 June 2016
544
The nine Nigerians hanged are popularly called the “Ogoni Nine” of which the most popular is
Ken Saro-Wiwa.
545
Resolution (ii) (HR26/2015), ‘Urgent Need to Implement the UNEP Report on Ogoni Land – 4
Years After’ Votes and Proceeding of the House of Representatives, 6 August 2015, 94.
546
ibid
547
Kenneth Amaeshi, Bongo Adi, Chris Ogbechie and Olufemi Amao, ‘Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria: Western Mimicry or Indigenous Practices?’ (2006) 24 JCC 83, 95.

209
Amaeshi et al. also posit that;

“For other types of modern firm in Nigeria, such as the multinational

corporations and indigenous firms that are modelled on the Western (post-

colonial) notion of the firm, their relationship with society is, again,

influenced by the process by which the Nigerian economy became integrated

into the world economy, as the history of the modern firm in Nigeria reveals.

Hence, given the colonial origins of modern Nigeria firms, it is only natural

to imagine that the formulation of CSR in theory and practices should retain

significant colonial undertones.”548

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act 2011549 (popularly called the TETfund Act 2011)

provides that companies are chargeable for annual taxes in the sum equaivalent to 2% of their

annual profit.550 The taxes collected are to be applied for the “rehabilitation, restoration and

consolidation of tertiary education in Nigeria.551 This development points to the mandatory

implementation of a tax regime for social development purposes.

I submit that the TETFund Act 2011 can been criticised for not consulting with the remitting

corporations or giving them the discretion of choosing which projects their taxes will be

applied.552 I submit that this criticism is justified. In the Indian and Mauritius examples, the

corporations have not been stripped of participation even though both legislations designate
548
Kenneth Amaeshi, Bongo Adi, Chris Ogbechie and Olufemi Amao, ‘Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria: Western Mimicry or Indigenous Practices?’ (2006) 24 JCC 83, 96.
549
This legislation repealed the Education Tax Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria Cap. E4.
and the Education Trust Fund Act 2003.
550
Section 1(2) Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act 2011
551
Section 3(1) Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act 2011
552
The legislation in Mauritius and India give the companies the options of the organisations they
work with in applying the funds. It has been argued that a CSR scheme may lead to tax avoidance; see
Fariz Huseynov and Bonnie K Klamm, ‘Tax Avoidance, Tax Management and Corporate Social
Responsibility’ (2012) 18 Journal of Corporate Finance 804 – 827

210
the corporate remittances as “tax”. The criticism of the local content Act of Nigeria may be

further justified when the administration of the funds is subject to recurrent public scandals.

A CSR legislation will have the input and consideration of business at heart. It will aim at

cordial community partnerships, corporate reputational issues or human and infrastructural

capital development that in turn ought to benefit business. It will seek to accommodate and

not alienate business to achieve compliance.

6.3.1 International Treaties and Judgements of International Courts

In the international sphere, Nigeria is subject to some important international treaties at the

global, regional and sub-regional level that impact its CSR regime. These include a series of

global soft law and hard law instruments to which Nigeria is signatory and can be bound by

including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR),

several treaties of the African Union (AU)553 and the regional body the Economic

Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

6.3.2 National legislation

There are several primary and secondary legislations that regulate corporate activities in

Nigeria.

6.3.2.1 Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990 (CAMA)

Several corporate governance regulations have been made in Nigeria since the regulation of

corporate affairs appeared in the Companies Act 1968. The provisions under this legislation

were regarded as inadequate and have undergone modifications aimed at improving the

corporate governance structure of Nigerian corporations. The Companies and Allied Matters
553
An example is the African Union Convention on Preventing and Compating Corruption (AUCC)
and Preventing a detailed discussion of which was done by Akeem Olajide Bello, ‘United Nations and
African Union Conventions on Corruption and Anti-corruption Legislations in Nigeria: A
Comparative Analysis’ (2014) 22 African Journal of International and Comparative Law 308-333

211
Act 1990554 (CAMA) expanded on the provisions found in its 1968 predecessor by including

extended duties to cover directors’ accountability and shareholder rights. Some specialist

professional bodies have also issued Codes for their members.

The Corporate Affairs Commission recently published guidelines to clarify the capability of

not-for-profit organisations555 to take up shares in private for-profit corporations. This

clarification became necessary due to previously held position of the Commission. The new

position is in congruence with Sections 596 and 603 of CAMA and does not affect the

position of these organisations to apply all incomes to charitable purposes and the promotion

of trust objective.

6.3.2.2 Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act 2007

The extractive industry deserves a special remark due to the importance of this sector to the

Nigerian economy. The fact that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is principally

based on the production and export of crude oil accounts for the interest in the CSR programs

of companies involved in this industry. It is not inconceivable that the CSR practices of

companies involved in the petroleum industry have determined the business considerations,

ideology or jurisprudential persuasions that inform reform and legislation.

Nigeria in the past has not lacked adequate regulation on environmental and labour issues.

With the adoption of many international standard instruments many of the laws have been

upgraded. The Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act 2007 (NEITI Act) is

one of the legislations influenced by Nigeria’s membership of the Extractive Industry

554
This piece of legislation was enacted a Decree under a military government but was adopted by the
parliament and thus renamed an ‘Act’ upon the resumption of democratic governance. Following the
consolidation of federal laws in Nigeria it is now known as Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990
Laws of the Federation of Nigeria Chapter C21 2004.
555
Not-for-profit and incorporated trustee are registerable under Part C of the Companies and Allied
Maters Act 1990.

212
Transparency Initiative (EITI) framework in 2003. Implementation began in the following

year that led to the enactment of the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act

2007. Nigeria was the first of the 46 member nations to enact a specific law to implement the

objectives of the organisation. One of the reasons for the adoption of EITI principles was to

curb corruption in the oil sector of the economy and to cascade such principles to other

extractive industries. The NEITI Act was passed into law to meet the full compliance criteria

of the global Extractive Industries Transparent Initiatives (EITI), an international

organisation based in Norway. However, a recent publication by EITI contends that Nigeria

is owed several unremitted huge sums amouting to over $7billion by foreign oil companies

operating in Nigeria since 2005.556 Criticisms of the law have been mainly based around the

lack of political will to ensure full compliance with the law.557 Okeke and Aniche has opined

that the reason the enforcement of the NEITI Act 2007 provisions is not effective is due to

the conflict of interest of the Nigerian government and the unchecked corrupt practises

associated with the industry in Nigeria.558 It is unclear if a reported attempt at introducing an

automated electronic disclosure system to reduce incidences of fraudwas implemented.559

The NEITI Act can be considered as one way of regulating corporate adherence to CSR

issues such as transparent publication of reports and accounts through legislation. The only

shortcoming in this instance is its limitation to the extractive industry. The yearly reports

produced under NEITI Act 2007 provisions have revealed that the powers to prosecute

556
Andres Krakenes, ‘Nigeria EITI report shows $billions owed to governement’
<https://eiti.org/news/nigeria-eiti-report-shows-us-billions-owed-to-government> accessed 18 August
2017.
557
See for a general discussion on the effectiveness of NEITI Act enfocement in NNigeria Okevke V
O S and Aniche ET, ‘A Critique of the Enforcement of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency
Initiative (Neiti) Act 2007 in Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector’ 1 British Journal of Arts and Social
Sciences (2013) Vol. 1, 98 – 108.
558
Ibid, 107
559
Onnwuka Nzechi, ‘FG Insists on Electronic Payment System’ 9 December 2009
<http://www.legaloil.com/NewsItem.asp?DocumentIDX=1260394879&Category=news> accessed 19
July 2017.

213
corporations that do not comply with provisions of the law by giving false information etc.

punishable with fines or imprisoned has not been used despite reports of noncompliance.560

6.3.2.3 Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act 2011

The Nigerian Financial Reporting Council Act 2011 (FRCN Act 2011), was designed for the

“developing and publishing accounting and financial reporting standards to be observed in

the preparation of financial statement of public entities in Nigeria”.561 The FRCN Act 2011

further established the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (the Council).562 The objects

of the Council include, but is not limited to protecting “investors and other stakeholders

interest”,563 to “ensure good corporate governance practices in the public and private sectors

of the Nigerian economy”.564 It also includes to “ensure accuracy and reliability of financial

reports and corporate disclosures, pursuant to the various laws and regulations currently in

existences”565. The Councill is also mandated to “harmonize activities of relevant

professional and regulatory bodies as relating to Corporate Governance and Financial

Reporting”566.

The Council exercises influence across all industries in the economy and regulates the

“accounting and financial reporting standards to be observed in the preparation of financial

statements in the private sector and small and medium scale enterprises”.567 This

560
Section 16, Nigeria extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act 2007. It should be noted that no
case of prosecution has been recorded for any default of the relevant laws despite reports of
discrepancies in records obtainable in the oil sector.
561
See the Explanatory Memorandum to the FRCN Act 2011. The Act came into force on 3 rd June
2011.
562
Section 1(1) FRCN Act 2011
563
Section 11(a) FRCN Act 2011
564
Section 11(c) FRCN Act 2011
565
Section 11(d) FRCN Act 2011
566
Section 11(e) FRCN Act 2011
567
Section 24(a) FRCN Act 2011

214
development is interesting as the impact of this legislation is not exclusive to business

organisations whether small or large. Interestingly, the promotion of ‘public interest … in the

preparation of financial statements of public interest entities’ is in the purview of the

agency,568 while the corporate governance objectives include to ‘encourage sound systems of

internal control to safeguard stakeholders’ investment and assets of public interest entities’.569

A comprehensive public engagement on corporate governance issues and consultations with

national and international organisations is also envisaged by this law.570

The Corporate Governance Codes of public companies stipulate reporting requirements on

issues such as environmental and social responsibility policies and practices. Listed

companies are also required to submit at least annually sustainability reports. This has

brought a sharp focus on the activities of public listed companies. The regulatory framework

of public companies is also under the strict supervision of the Securities and Exchange

Commission (SEC).571 SEC makes secondary legislation on corporate governance rules to

which public companies must adhere.572

6.3.2.4 Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010

With the coming into force of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act

2010, new responsibilities was placed on IOCs to ensure the inclusion of “local content” in

their project plans with minimum content requirements that have been approved for each

568
Section 24(f) FRCN Act 2011
569
Section 49(f) FRCN 2011. Presumably, an effective implementation of this function can lead to the
reduction of public financing or ‘bail out’ of failing corporations, especially banks.
570
Section 51 FRCN 2011
571
This body is established under section 1 of the Investments and Securities Act 2007
572
The current provisions are contained in the Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and
regulations 2013

215
project during bids.573 This Act has far-reaching implications for the oil and gas sector

because section 1 states that it ‘shall apply to all matters pertaining to Nigerian content in

respect of all operations or transactions carried out in or connected with the Nigerian oil and

gas industry’. The inclusion of a requirement to submit an annual Employment and Training

Plan showing ‘anticipated skill shortages in the Nigerian labour force’ is an attempt to

influence the developmental goals of the Nigerian government through this scheme.574 Is this

surreptitious mandation of CSR principles on corporations in Nigeria? I hold the view that it

is.

6.4 CSR Policy and Practice

There is no articulated national policy on CSR in Nigeria. This is despite the inclination of

government to publicly support agitation of strident pressure groups that constantly advocate

for corporate tolerance of social needs. However, indications of government policy direction

can be gathered from several sources. The legislature seems to be influencing government on

this issue also. For example, an official publication of the Department of Research and

Statistics of the National Assembly575 has published an article supporting legislating CSR in

its quarterly publication called ‘Issues in National Policy’.576 Although the publication is not

reflective of the opinions of its contributors, the fact that the publication is meant to “assist

legislators in their Law Making” by “undertaking research into topical issues affecting the

573
See section 7 and 11 of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Development Act 2010 respectively
574
Section 29(a)(ii) Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Development Act 2010
575
Issues in National Policy, Vol. 1 (2015) is a publication of the Department of Research and
Statistics an official organ of the federal legislature of Nigeria - the National Assembly.
576
See U. M. Mari, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Why legislation and Regulation’ Issues
in National Policy Vol. 1 (2015), 53 – 65.

216
nation or other issues required for legislative purposes” is suggestive of its purpose – to guide

and influence legislators in policy matters.577

CSR policy gives guidance on “who does what?” and “why it should be done that way”. The

power that corporations can wield are often enormous.578 If CSR is left to the altruism of

firms, there will be randomness in its implementation. Again, those who implement CSR

projects may have self-serving motives. The intervention of government in CSR by

legislating it would, therefore, aim at creating the sense of “doing of the right thing for the

right reason”. This is to say that the “hand of government” and not the “invisible hand” nor

the “hand of management” will suffice to balance the consideration of both business and

society.579

It is therefore argued that state agencies can impact CSR practice through responsive public

procurement policies. This is because of the significant value of the purchase of recurrent

items in the annual budget of developing countries. However, the Public Procurement Act

2007 which sets out the terms of all Federal Government procurement processes does not

mention anything concerning the compulsooryy procurement from domestic companies. 580 It

is posited that developing countries can influence CSR pratise in both a positive and

substantial way, by enacting manadatory provisions and ruels that compel corporate activities

in ways that promote social justice and national development.

577
n1 per S. A. Maikasuwa in the ‘Preface’, Issues in National Policy Vol. 1 (2015) iv. Maikasuwa is
the Clerk to the National Assembly of Nigeria.
578
Shell was accused of using the government of Nigeria against Nigerians during a military standoff
with protesters in the Niger-Delta. This remains one of the criticisms of deploying military assets in
the Niger-Delta against indigenous populations. It is notable that kidnappings and other nefarious
activities have been credited to youth in the Niger-Delta, also.
579
Kathryn M Bartol and David Clarke Martin, Management (McGraw-Hill 1994) Series in
Management identified the “invisible hand”, “hand of government” and the “hand of management” as
major influences of CSR.
580
See section 4, Public Procurement Act 2007 for the obectives of the Bureau of Public Procurement
established under section 3 of the Act.

217
The International Oil Companies (IOCs) present a special case because of their prominence

in Nigeria. The state-owned corporations like the NNPC and quasi-independent organisations

like the Nigerian Stok Exchange (NSE) can lead the way. Interestingly, the NSE was voted

best CSR corporation in 2015.581

The government’s policies and action about corporate governance and social responsibility

issues reveal their CSR strategy. The policy of government may be explained, for instance,

through the shift in position by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) following the

relaxation of the restriction on not-for-profit companies and incorporated trusts from

investing in for-profit private and public companies announced in 2015. The CAC has been

encouraging corporations to embrace best practice in corporate governance by instituting the

CAC Annual Corporate Citizens Award.582

International Courts and their effectiveness in corporate liability cases

Consequent to the execution of some civil rights activists famously known as “the Ogoni

Nine” by the Nigerian government in 1995, the plight of the people of the Niger-Delta region

of Nigeria has gained much notoriety. The activists sought to highlight internationally, the

impact of illicit corporate activity in the Southern part of Nigeria which led to gross

environmental degradation amongst other devastations and economic losses for the local

communities. In 2003 and 2012 respectively, the African Commission in Social and

581
Cynthis Okoroafor, ‘Despite Recent Setbacks in Nigeria’s Stock Exchange, NSE Receives Award’
Ventures (28 September 2015) <http://venturesafrica.com/despite-recent-setbacks-in-nigerias-stock-
exchange-market-nse-receives-award/> accessed 3 February 2016
582
The annual award is to companies in any sector of the economy. The award criteria include
assessment of ‘environmental performance’, ‘corporate social responsibility’, and ‘management of
stakeholder relation’. See; < http://new.cac.gov.ng/home/cac-annual-corporate-citizens-award/>
accessed 30 June 2016.

218
Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC) and Another v Nigeria583 and the ECOWAS

Community Court of Justice in Social and Economic Rights Advocacy Project (SERAP) v

Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of Nigeria584 - in suits brought by non-

governmental organisation (NGOs) - made what was then regarded as landmark decisions in

respect of actions brought on behalf of the Niger Delta indigenes.

Given the recent announcement that Royal Dutch Shell has agreed on a compensation of

$84million to selected affected individuals and for community remediation projects in the

Niger Delta.585 Following these developments, this paper argues that the combined impetus to

be derived from these cases and others that may follow, with trending international law

jurisprudence being discussed to make business morre responsive to environmental and social

issues will impact not only the decisions of corporations but of governements also in seeking

regulattory regimes that will meet the standard of effectiveness in its duty to protect the

environment and uphold human rights.

The case of SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria and another586

The SERAP case is interesting because the plaintiffs, Socio-Economic Rights and

Accountability Project (SERAP) is a non-governmental organisation that brought an action

on behalf of the indigenes of the Niger Delta pursuant to Article 10 of the Supplementary

Protocol A/SP.1/01/05. SERAP by this case took the question of the justiciability of

583
Communication 155/96, Social and Economic Rights Action Centre and the Centre for Economic
and Social Rights v Nigeria. The decision is reproduced in Social and Economic Rights Action Centre
(SERAC) and Another v Nigeria (2001) AHRLR 60
584
See SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria and another ECOWAS Court of Justice General List
No. ECW/CCJ/APP/08/09 [2012] JUDGMENT N° ECW/CCJ/JUD/18/12
585
See Shell agrees $84m deal over Niger Delta oil spill’ BBC 5 January 2015
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-30699787 > accessed 17 August 2017.
586
See (n584)

219
collective human rights abuses in the Niger-Delta from conjecture to realisation. Before this

case, no legal challenge had invoked the obligations of the state of Nigeria in an international

court.

The allegation against the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Attorney-General of Nigeria

who remained of nine originally named Defendants587 were, according to clause 4 of the

Judgement of the Court, alleged violations of “the rights to health, adequate standard of living

and rights to economic and social development of the people of Niger Delta and the failure of

the Defendants to enforce laws and regulations to protect the environment and prevent

pollution”588. Although the Plaintiff pleaded many Articles of the Charter, the Court was

selective in its judgement and reasoned that Article 24 was representative of the rights the

plaintiffs sought protection for.

The Court considered preliminarily, procedural matters and subsequently, the weightier

substantive issues. The court determined that:

“32. Indeed there are situations in which the enjoyment of the economic, social

and cultural rights depends on the availability of State resources. In those

situations, it is legitimate to raise the issue of enforceability of the concerned

right. But there are others in which the only obligation required from the State

to satisfy such rights is the exercise of its authority to enforce the law that

587
The original suit named the state-run Nigerian national oil company and six other major
multinational oil corporations i.e. Nigerian National Petroleum Company, Shell Petroleum
Development Company, ELF Petroleum Nigeria Limited, AGIP Nigeria PLC, Chevron Oil Nigeria
PLC, Total Nigeria PLC and Exxon Mobil. The absolution of these corporations raises the question of
the rationale for the exclusion of corporate citizens from the jurisdiction of regional and international
courts when they are to some extent at least capable of suing and being sued in national jurisdictions.
588
See SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria and another Judgement Number ECW/CCJ/JUD/18/12.
[4]

220
 recognises such rights and prevent powerful entities from precluding the most

vulnerable from enjoying the right granted to them.

33. In the instant case, what is in dispute is not a failure of the Defendants to

allocate resources to improve the quality of life of the people of Niger Delta,

but rather a failure to use the State authority, in compliance with international

obligations, to prevent the oil extraction industry from doing harm to the

environment, livelihood and quality of life to the people of that region”.589

The decision of this Court raised two important points;

(i) An international obligation of member states can be justiciable despite the national

laws of member states saying the contrary.590

(ii) Despite the adoption of a “specific instrument” by ECOWAS member states of human

rights, the court is obliged to apply the rules based on the states’ avowed allegiance to

these rights even if declared in secondary treaties.591

The ECOWAS Court made it plain that it recognised obligations arising from international

treaties. This jurisprudence of the court is expected to influence the treatment of non-explicit

provisions of ‘imported’ treaties by giving them appropriate interpretation consistent with the

jurisprudence of national court. Understandably, references to the IESCR and UN

conventions was rife in the judgement. The consideration of inexplicit provisions and the

apparent endorsement and legitimisation of IESCR was couched in superior and superlative

terms. The Court having considered the jurisdictional issues then turned to the task of

rationalising its cogitations in its judgement.

589
ibid [32]
590
ibid [34]
591
ibid [29] and [36]

221
The court applied international law treaties as overaching legislation in this case. The court’s

apportionment of culpability was unambiguous. It also identified the injured and applied the

principle of ubi jus ibi remedium. In paragrahs 71 and 72, the court articulated the argument

against foreign companies operating in Nigeria whose actions harm the local economy and

stated that ‘it is incumbent upon the Federal Republic of Nigeria to prevent or tackle the

situation by holding accountable those who caused the situation and to ensure that adequate

reparation is provided for the victims’.592 It is interesting to note that the arguments

canvassed by SERAP are akin to the principles enunciated in the Ruggie Principles to protect

the citizens from third party infringement or blockade of opportunity to earn a living thereby

ensuring the enjoyment of other rights such as health and other cultural rights.

An effective justice system should provide for easy access, expeditious delivery of justice and

reduced financial requirement. Since it is the rights of the less powerful members of a society

that may be less able to access the justice system, it is important that their access to justice is

unhindered. In the matter of the protection from infringement of social, economic and

cultural rights amongst other human rights, the case of Nigeria deserves special mention.

The rule upon which litigants in human rights cases will rely provides for the expeditious

hearing of human rights infringement cases.593 This exemplifies the regard that the law places

on the infringement of personal liberties and fundamental freedoms. The spirit and

intendment of the law are often not in accord with the practices adopted by judicial officers.

In a rare example of expeditious dispatch of cases, Rhodes-Vivour J. heard and determined

Ron Obey v West African Examination Council within 21days.594

592
SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria and another Judgement Number ECW/CCJ/JUD/18/12. [97]
593
See for example Order Iv Rule 2 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009
594
Ron Obey v West African Examination Council [2000] 2 WRN 130; 2 NPILR 106.

222
The Constitution of Nigeria 1999 provided for the mandatory ‘duty and responsibility of

all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative,

executive or Judicial Powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this

chapter of this Constitution’.595 It also provides, however, that ‘any issue or question as to

whether any act or omission by any authority or person or as to whether any law or any

judicial decision is in conformity with the fundamental objectives and directive principles

of state policy set out in chapter II of this constitution’ is not justiciable.596 Interestingly,

it provides for the protection of ‘any person who alleges that any of the Fundamental

Rights provided in the Constitution or African Charter on Human and Peoples’ right

(Ratification and Enforcement) Act’ may bring an action to remedy such infringement.597

The bane of the protective legislations in Nigeria has been effective judiciary and unfettered

access to justice through lack of funds to enable an equal playing field. An alert, vibrant and

apt judiciary is required to interpret and make pronouncements of legal positions, rights,

duties and obligations to secure the respect and trust reposed in it. It is only when judicious

judicial pronouncements are made that enforcement can be sought by parties that are

favoured. In this regard, the judiciary is looked up to as the last ‘bus-stop’ for all disputes

involving or against the state

Even when a judgement is favourable, its enforcement may raise another layer of challenge,

hence settlement of disputes using alternative resolution methods such as mediation is less

cumbersome and more readily available to injured parties of less means. The ineffectiveness

595
Section 13 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
596
Section 6(6)(c) Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999
597
Order II Rule I Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009

223
of the forms of redress for corporate abuses exposes the need for legislative provisions

regarding the protection of social, economic and cultural rights in the face of corporate abuse.

Some special legislations are in force for the extractive industry in Nigeria, including:

(i) Petroleum (Drilling and Production) Regulations 1969

(ii) Federal Environmental Protection Act 1988

(iii) Impact Assessment Act 1992

(iv) Oil and Gas Pipeline Regulations 1995

(v) Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (Establishment) Act 2006

(vi) The Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industry 2002

(vii) National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (Establishment) Act 2006

(viii) Harmful Waste Special Criminal Provision Act 1990

“Thus, the duty assigned by Article 24 to each State Party to the Charter is both an obligation

of attitude and an obligation of result”598 and “[t]he environment is essential to every human

being. The quality of human life depends on the quality of the environment”599. In Clause 105

the Court opined that legislation without “additional and concrete measures” may still fall

short of compliance with international obligations in the matter of environmental protection.

The court identified the problem of Nigeria as the “lack of enforcement of the legislation and

regulation in force, by the Regulatory Authorities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in

charge of supervision of the oil industry”600.

598
SERAP v Attorney General of Nigeria Judgement Number ECW/CCJ/JUD/18/12. [100]
599
Ibid [100]
600
Ibid [108]

224
Laws are not enough.

I posit that although laws are a necessary starting point for redressing the appalling standards

of environmental degradation caused by companies in the extractive industry. To put this

point in perspective is to consider what would be the likely scenario if laws did not exist at

all.

In SERAP v Attorney General of Nigeria, the ECOWAS Court of Justice rejected the

argument of the Nigerian government that corporations can manage any resultant issues

affecting the environment with the affected peoples when it stated that “a vital resource of

such importance to all mankind, such as the environment, cannot be left to the mere

discretion of oil companies and possible agreements on compensation they may establish

with the people affected by the devastating effects of this polluting industry”601

In deciding the case against Nigeria, the Court ordered the defendant to do the following:

(i) take all effective measures, within the shortest possible time, to ensure

restoration of the environment of the Niger Delta;

(ii) take all measures that are necessary to prevent the occurrence of damage

to the environment; and

(iii) take all measures to hold the perpetrators of the environmental damage

accountable.

I suggest that the decision made in the ECOWAS Court of Justice of incorporating the

various international statutes that affect Member States’ adoption of the regional African

Charter on Human and peoples’ Right 1981 which came into force 21 October 1986.

601
Ibid at [109]

225
It can be deduced from the decision of the Court that perhaps an attempt at establishing a

CSR principle on the basis that a symbiotic relationship exists between the state, corporations

and the local community in which oil exploitation companies operate. This decision may be

the proverbial ‘one little step’ for CSR that may lead to a ‘giant leap’ in the further

development of international law jurisprudence on this subject. In a region plagued by

widespread corruption and political interference in judicial proceedings, it can be hardly

considered an exaggeration to label this judgement as ‘ground-breaking’ for lacking

precedent. Darbney Marshall has remarked on the readiness of judges to declare new frontiers

in jurisprudence. He said ‘once admit a principle into jurisprudence, and lawyers and judges

fearlessly follow it to its logical conclusions, however inconvenient or absurd they may prove

to be. This is strikingly illustrated in the history of the judge-declared portion of the law’.602

CSR in emerging economies may be one area in which judicial activism may be required.

However, lack of adequate formal knowledge and information on the subject may prove

debilitating in view of the fact that CSR is not taught or expounded in the tertiary academic

institutions in Nigeria. The quality of benchers may thus reflect the quality of the educational

system from which they are bred.

6.4.1 The drivers of CSR in Nigeria; CSOs, the state and business

The drivers of CSR law and practice in Nigeria can be broadly categorised as the state,

business and the civil society organisations (CSOs)603. These are the main promoters and

factors of corporate accountability in Nigeria.

602
See T. Darbney Marshall, ’What Law Is’ (1893) 27 American Law Review 540, 540. This s a
rather generalised and optimistic view that judges are creative in developing jurisprudential thought in
developing economies.
603
In the context of this paper this group includes the not-for-profit organisations and non-
governmental organisations (NGOs).

226
The New Nigeria Foundation, a high-profile CSO established with the support of the United

Nations Foundation (UNF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) organised

a CSR retreat in 2008 to develop assessment tools “patterned on the draft ISO 26000”.604 It is

unknown if this effort was sustained as there is no available public record on its furtherance

of their CSR project. However, the influence of similar organisations pre-dates the notorious

case of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others that were hanged by the Nigerian Government in

1995605 – a case which caused an international furore and diplomatic spat which led to

Nigeria’s expulsion from the Commonwealth of Nations. Darbney Marshall’s has remarked

in the readiness of judges to declare new frontiers in jurisprudence. He said ‘once admit a

principle into jurisprudence, and lawyers and judges fearlessly follow it to its logical

conclusions, however inconvenient or absurd they may prove to be. This is strikingly

illustrated in the history of the judge-declared portion of the law’.606 CSR in emerging

economies may be one area in which judicial activism may be required. However, lack of

adequate formal knowledge and information on the subject may prove debilitating in view of

the fact that CSR is not taught or expounded in the tertiary academic institutions in Nigeria.

The quality of benchers may thus reflect the quality of the educational system from which

they are bred.

The point of note is that the advocates were organised as not-for-profit organisation in

demanding social responsibility of IOCs in the Niger Delta. The CSOs create interest in

environmental, human rights and other activities of the oil corporations. The increasing

involving of CSOs has marked marked a turning point for CSR in Nigeria’s extractive

604
See the New Nigeria Foundation website: <http://www.nnfng.org/news/16-csr-retreat> accessed 11
July 2016
605
See Greenpeace website <http://archive.greenpeace.org/comms/ken/murder.html> accessed 18
August 2011.
606
See T. Darbney Marshall, ’What Law Is’ (1893) 27 American Law Review 540, 540. Although this
is a generalised and optimistic view that judges are creative in developing jurisprudential thought in
developing economies, it it not an unreasonable assumption in my view.

227
industry in particular and generally. The amnesty granted erstwhile ‘militants’ in the Niger

Delta by Nigerian government can be directly or indirectly linked to the agitation for socially

responsible conduct by the multinationals who operate in this region.607

The other drivers of CSR are the state, through their procurement policies and legislation. As

discussed elsewhere in this paper, the society influence CSR through boycotts and other

activities that force changes in government or corporate policy.

6.4.2. Challenges of CSR in Nigeria

At the levels of policy, practice and law, CSR has not received adequate attention. As already

noted there is no coherent government policy on CSR in Nigeria; its practice is also not

coordinated with weak institutional interventions by standardisation organisations and no

underpinning legislation.

With refeence to the role of the judiciary in interpreting state policies and institutional

structures based in law, it is critical that they are independent to serving the democratic

process. In Nigeria, accessing the judicial system should not be the preserve of the well-to-do

and when accessed the independence of the courts needs to guarantee fair hearing and

unfettered delivery of justice. Judicial processes are notoriously slow in Nigeria. Therefore,

the recent computerisation of judicial administration has been hailed as capable of speeding

the processes of case administration.608 Judicial reform will be particularly important in the

backdrop of the proliferation of non-judicial but vociferous pressure groups demanding

accountability beyond national courts as in the case of SERAP.

607
Dele Olowu, ‘From defiance to engagement; An evaluation of Shell’s approach to conflict
resolution in the Niger Delta’ 16 December 2010 <An evaluation of Shell’s approach to conflict
resolution in the Niger Delta> accessed 17 July 2017.
608
For benefits of technological administration of court processes see James E. Cabral, Abhijeet
Chavan, Thomas M. Clarke, John Greacen, Bonnie Rose Hough, Linda Rexer, Jane Ribadeneyra &
Richard ZorzaHarvard, ‘Using Technology to Enhance Access to Justice’ (2012) 26 Harvard Journal
of Law & Technology 24.

228
The failure of passage of CSR legislature exposes lack of political will in making legislative

provisions forCSR in Nigeria. The effort first major effort aimed at introducing legal

mandation of CSR via the Corporate Social Responsibility bills in 2008 and 2012 failed. 609

Another attempt via the Corporate Social Responsibility (Special Provision, etc.) Bill, 2015

was read the first time on 8 December 2015.610 It was read for the second time on 15

December 2015 and referred to the House of Representative Committees on Commerce and

Justice for further legislative input.611 These previous Bills reached the committee stage on

each occasion but did not complete the cycle of legislative processes required for passage into

law. The challenge here is the inability of lawmakers to propose a Bill capable of general

acceptance.

The passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill 2010612 has met a lot of bottlenecks also,

indicating the nature of legislative reform concerning corporate activity in the oil and gas

sector Nigeria. According to UN Environment website, Ogoniland should be a protected

natural habitat.613 To achieve legislation of CSR in Nigeria will, therefore, require

fundamental reforms. The Petroleum Industry Bill 2010 gained notoriety in Nigeria and

among prospective foreign investors in the oil and gas industry since it was first proposed in

2007. The importance of the Bill is in its reform of transparency issues, constitution of a new

legal framework with the creation of new enforcement agencies. Some controversies

followed the presentation of the Petroleum Industry Bill for the first time in 2012. The Bill in

609
The Bill sponsored by Uche Chukwumerije, a senator is titled “An Act for the establishment of a
Corporate Social Responsibility Commission” and presented in 2008. The Commission is supposed to
be the body charged with the administration of the regulatory provisions of the Act.
610
Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, of 8 December 2015, 660.
611
Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 15 December 2015, 717.
612
The Petroleum Industry Bill 2010
613
The UN Environment claims that the area comprising Ogoniland is the third largest ecosystem in
the world.
<http://www.unep.org/disastersandconflicts/disastersandconflicts/where-we-work/nigeria/what-we-
do/about-ogoniland> accessed 6 August 2017

229
its original formed has been amended severally but maintains some key features. In its

present form, it was presented as the Petroleum Industry Bill 2015.

6.4.3 Domestic corporations, SMEs and the practice of CSR

For the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and companies, there is no coherent

CSR policy. So, currently, there is no coordinated policy regarding the challenge which

theorists, empirical researchers and corporate executives in developing countries face is the

development and translation of an autochthonous CSR conceptual construct into practice.614

Government and organisations touting the adoption of standards and codes should not

encourage standards which are a mere mimicry of western models. 615 The purpose of

standard organisations, especially those of international repute and influence, should be to

support programs for economic growth and sustainable development of adopting states.

Small companies are not regulated in the same way bigger corporations are. In 2003, the

Bankers’ Committee’s Subcommittee on Corporate Governance issued the Code of Corporate

Governance for Banks and Other Financial Institutions in Nigeria to its member banks. The

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued its first Code of Corporate Governance

for Public Companies 2003 shortly afterwards. In 2011, the Financial Reporting Council of

Nigeria was set up by law616 to “protect investors and other stakeholders’ interest”617 and

614
See for a discussion on the search for new identities resulting from the formation of new states in
Asia and Africa: Clifford Geertz (ed), ‘The Integrative Revolution: Primordial Sentiments and Civil
Politics in the New States’ in Old Societies and New States: The Quest for Modernity in Asia and
Africa (University of Chicago 1963)
615
Kenneth Amaeshi, Bongo Adi, Chris Ogbechie and Olufemi Amao, ‘Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria: western mimicry or indigenous practices?’
616
Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act 2011
617
Section 11(a)

230
“ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports and corporate disclosures, pursuant to

various laws and regulations currently in existence”.618

The SEC published its amended Code of Corporate Governance for Public Companies in

2011 which in its entirety is expected to “ensure the highest standards of transparency,

accountability and good corporate governance, without unduly inhibiting enterprise and

innovation”.619 The applicability of the code covers all public companies including those

seeking to raise funds and whether listed or not.620 Put together, these laws were aimed at

establishing a culture of good corporate governance in Nigeria.

In carrying out their functions, companies are enjoined by virtue of the provisions of Part D

to contemplate the interests of other stakeholders other than shareholders in furthering their

objectives. According to Rule 37, stakeholders “include directors, employees, creditors,

customers, depositors, distributors, regulatory authorities and the host communities”. Rule

28.3 requires the annual reporting on “nature and extent of its social, ethical, safety, health

and environmental policies and practices” – all issues central to corporate social

responsibility.

In pursuit of furthering the objective of better corporate governance several amendments

were made in 2014, to the Code of Corporate Governance for Public Companies 2003. The

new Rules mandated compliance with the provisions of the Code and imposed financial and

non-financial sanctions for non-compliance. The new Rule 1.3(a) provides that;

The Code is expected to facilitate sound corporate practices and behaviour. It

should be seen as a dynamic document defining minimum standards of

618
Section 11(d)
619
Introduction to the Code of Corporate Governance for Public Companies 2003(as amended).
620
See Part A, Rule 1.1(a)(b) and (c)

231
 corporate governance expected particularly of public companies with listed

securities.

The amendments also cover compliance with the provisions of the Code which “shall be

mandatory”621. Non-compliance to the new rules will attract financial and non-financial

penalties attached.622

The preceding review of the efforts at infusing good corporate governance and responsibility

standards in Nigeria reveals the presence of fundamental laws. However, these laws are

lacking in enforceability, capacity of institutional mechanisms and slow reform opportunities

being taken to improve on them.

6.5 Recent developments and prospects

Recent developments on CSR in Nigeria has both historical and contemporary significance.

The well-defined ideological positions in CSR no doubt have been shaped by the dichotomy

of corporate law theories, shareholder primacy and stakeholder theory. In Nigeria, it would

seem that CSR has been influenced by the early foreign companies and multinational

companies (MNC) that dominated the petroleum industry.623 However, recent developments

in global warming and the domestic political climate in Nigeria has created opportunities for

advancing CSR discourse.

621
Rule 1.3(g) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives of Nigeria 2015.
622
The penalty for violating the Rules is “N500,000 at the first instance and a further sum of N5,000
for every day the violation persists and any other sanction as the Commission may deem fit in the
circumstance”
623
Manby, B., The Price of Oil: Corporate Responsibility and Human Rights Violations in Nigeria’s
Oil Producing Communities (New York: Human Rights Watch, 1999).

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 (i) Global Climate Change Conference

In most jurisdictions in the developing world, even where there are little resources for

enforcement, legislative influence in environmental, climate change impact reduction and

consumer protection are easily observable.624 A Bill for an Act to Provide for Corporate

Manslaughter to make Corporate Organisations Criminally Responsible for the death of

Employees arising from its Acts or Omissions; and for Other Related Matters (HB. 273) was

considered on 4 May 2016 and passed into law subject to Presidential assent on 7 June

2016.625

For the first time, the legislature has a standing Committee on Climate Change. 626 The ambits

of CSR have been the subject of interesting debates among its exponents. The more

established areas of engagement have been human rights, stakeholder issues, corporate ethics

and other areas of economic, social and cultural rights.

(ii) The beginning of Ogoniland clean up

A comprehensive chronicle of the travails of the people of Ogoniland has been analysed by

May Ifeoma Nwoye.627 SERAP after winning the case against the Federal Government has

been urging the implementation of the judgement of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. SERAP

claimed that successive Nigerian governments have lacked the will to hold to the

624
In Nigeria for instance, the federal legislature – The National Assembly – is actively considering
the passing of ‘A Bill for an Act to regulate the Disposal by Industries or Companies; Prohibit
Environmental Pollution, prescribe Penalties against Offenders; and for Other Matters Related
Thereto’ HB. 346. This Bill passed second reading on 8 March 2016; this is the stage of final
consideration before passage into law. If passed, the legislation will expand the issues over which
companies will be required to take into account in the course of production.
625
Votes and Proceeding of the House of Representatives No. 102, 7 June 2016, 1906
626
The Committee on Climate Change inaugurated in the 8th Assembly (2015 – 2019) is the first of
such committees to have special mandate on climate change matters in Nigeria. There is no
government department charged with this responsibility although the Federal Ministry of environment
has overall responsibility for climate issues.
627
May Ifeoma Nwoye, Oil Cemetery (Strategic Publishing and Books, 2013)

233
International Oil Companies (OICs) concerned to account and the court aceepted this

argument.628

(iii) Emergence of radical militant groups

The emergence of a new militant group in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria called the Niger

Delta Avengers has led to serious economic and security challenge for the country. The Niger

Delta Avengers have claimed responsibility for the degrading of many production facilities in

the region that led to a drastic reduction in the production capacity of Nigerian oil firms.629

(iv) Increased regulatory effectiveness – the case of MTN Nigeria Limited

Recent events seem to strengthen the case for greater regulation of big corporations in

Nigeria. The meteoric rise of the telecommunication sector in Nigeria to assume the position

of the highest contributor to the country’s GDP is ironic.630 This is because the

telecommunications sector has not escaped public scrutiny due to the high visibility and

impact of its operations.

Furthermore, the services they provide may be correctly viewed as the most important factor

in the dissemination of CSR news. The unabated rise in the number of “active lines” and

expansion of data availability in Nigeria is significant when considering the prospect of CSR

in Nigeria. As the availability of telecommunication services spreads to all parts of the

country, public engagement, virtual assembly and organised real-time protests are made

easier. Expectedly, CSR topics have not escaped the interest of the public as blogs continue

628
[97] SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria and another Judgement Number ECW/CCJ/JUD/18/12.
629
Nigeria’s production fell from an average of 2.2million barrels per day (bpd) in 2014 to 1.3million
bpd in the first quarter of 2016.
630
This position was declared following the rebasing of the Nigerian economy in 2013. Following the
rebasing of the economy and the addition of the popular film industry (Nollywood), Nigeria took its
place as the largest African economy.

234
to proliferate articulating to the global audience local issues.631 The voice of dissent is more

easily heard and through social media can be heard more loudly and continuously

reverberated until notice is taken by appropriate authorities.

The seeming indiscriminate location of masts in all the cities of Nigeria, publication of huge

profits by telecoms operators632 and less-than-perfect services is constantly under attack in

the social media and elsewhere. This and other issues cause constant public irritation and has

led to calls for telecoms companies to be fined. The Nigeria Communications Commission

fined MTN Nigeria Limited (MTN) the sum of $5.2billion for flouting regulations relating to

the registration of subscribers.633 Although there are allegations surrounding this fine as being

tainted by political interests the culpability of MTN has not been contested. It regarded the

indictment of the company for allowing the use of unregistered mobile phone telephone sims

in Nigeria which the government alleged fell into the hands of the Boko Haram terrorist

group. Indeed, MTN seems to have conceded wrongdoing. This case suggests that it is not

fantastic to think of corporations being held criminally liable for sponsoring terrorism,

genocide or other crimes against humanity in the near future.

(v) New political responsiveness

Under the leadership of Muhammadu Buhari634 – who is largely regarded globally as an

incorrupt leader - there seems to be a new public anti-corruption persecution which may be

responsible for a renewed societal intolerance towards corporate indiscipline. The apparent

631
One of the most popular blogs dwelling on CSR issues is Nigeria CSR Reports
<http://nigeriacsrreports.blogspot.co.uk/> accessed 16 January 2016.
632
MTN Nigeria Ltd famously declared world record profits in its first few years of operation in
Nigeria and has maintained
633
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is the watchdog of the telecommunications
industry.
634
President Muhammadu Buhari was elected on the platform of a “change agenda” which included
the routing of corruption from public service. He was sworn in on 29 May 2015 as the 7th (4th by
election) Head of State.

235
public mood towards corruption aversion may not be unrelated to the unprecedented spate of

investigations and trials of former government officials including those placed at the highest

level of executive authority. The EFCC has recorded an unprecedented 125 convictions

within the first year of Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.635 The Buhari administration can take

credit for the MTN fines, the clean-up of Ogoni and the good press in the international

community accorded Nigeria on account of its leadership. If CSR is not internationally

regulated, it may be that large corporations will seek out countries where they can operate

with minimal regulation as was the initial interest in their operating in Asian countries and

which led to foremost internationally acclaimed CSR issues.

It is evident that the practice of CSR is embedded in businesses of all sizes in Nigeria, with

the large corporations being most scrutinised by the public. However, vox populi has always

leaned towards greater regulation which now seems to be imminent. In the next chapter, the

prospects of legal regulation of CSR is evaluated.

The enactment of Nigeria Freedom of Information Act 2011 (FOI Act) should aid the

assessment of companies regarding their responsiveness to social issues. This is because the

FOI Act establishes ‘the right of any person to access or request information, whether or not

contained in any written form, which is in the custody or possession of any public official,

agency or institution howsoever described’.636 There are indications that this law has led to a

revival of CSOs. There is also a need for a Whistle Blowing Act in Nigeria akin to what is

obtainable in Ghana for complementary purposes.

635
A full list of 2016 convictions are available onine from EFCC website.
<https://efccnigeria.org/efcc/images/RECORD%20OF%20CONVICTION%202016%20Complete.pd
f> accessed 14 July 2017.
636
Section 1(1) Freedom of Information Act 2011

236
6.6 Summary

There is a mixture of CSR as envisaged by western corporations and organisations considered

standard bearers. This explains the influence of Western models of CSR in Nigeria. However,

peculiar national circumstances have hampered necessary reform aimed at making CSR

practice more readily adaptable to the requirement of meeting developmental needs of an

emerging economy like Nigeria. I posit that the current myriad of international codes,

continental, regional and national laws in existence does not negate the introduction of CSR

legislation in Nigeria and should be seen to be complementary to any home-grown efforts an

internalising CSR practises.

The international codes and legislations have impacted corporate managers in the big

multinationals by creating a culture of effective reporting of relevant issues, having ensured

good practice in dealing with not only shareholders but stakeholders also while pursuing the

legitimate end of making profits. Whether expressly or by implication, it seems corporate

managers are entrusted with the obligation to pursue ethical practices in the course of doing

business in Nigeria.

I also argued that the combined effect of the long history and accountability structure in place

as a result of current laws will is not at variance with a proposal to legislate CSR in Nigeria.

CSR legislation can serve to strengthen rules and legislation on Corporate Governance and

effective practices and to report on social initiatives of the big corporations. A CSR Bill

affords a unique opportunity to craft a legislation that shall reflect the socio-cultural and

economic needs of Nigeria

With the Nigeria Oil and Gas Development Act 2010 (popularly referred to as the ‘Local

Content Act’), Environmental Impact Assessment Law, NEITI Act etc., there seems to be

some legislation capable of extracting the required conformity of corporations towards

achieving sustainable development goals. What perhaps is lacking is the coordination of the

237
various government agencies established by the instrumentality of legislation to bring the

necessary focus and cordination to the issues of CSR. Competetion rather than cooperation is

seldom observed in the operations of Nigeian government departments.

It must be stated that if there are no laws on a subject in a democracy, the judiciary cannot be

expected to make them up. Where there are laws then, the courts are rightly seen as the

bastion of the common man; where redress can be obtained against infringement of rights by

adjudication of facts by a ‘blind’ and impartial arbiter of the legal rules as stipulated in the

extant laws of the state. Legislating on CSR can be indicative of the ‘direction’ government is

facing when collaborative developmental programs are to be fashioned.

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 CHAPTER SEVEN

Legally Mandating CSR in Nigeria; challenges and prospects

7.1 Introduction

From the previous chapter, it is evident that models of CSR being practised in Nigeria is

influenced by several factors including corproate standards of international organisations and

national socio-political circumstances. It can also be conluded that Nigeria has been keen to

legislate on CSR in the past decade in order to define the law and practice.637 This

development is attributable in part to the resilience of CSOs that have advocated for a more

robust CSR framework for IOCs in the oil and gas sector over the last few decades.

Additionaly, some sensational national and international developments such as the Shell oil

spill off the Mexican coasts and the historic developments in the Nigeria Delta, recently

culminating in the UNEP report has given new impetus to the CSR debate. The Ogoniland

cleanup has commenced under the new government headed by Muhammadu Buhari.

In the legal sphere also, some national and international court judgements with repercussions

capable of impacting the development of CSR in Nigeria are notable. Despite what can be

deemed apparent gains for CSR in Nigeria, there remains some challenges to legislating CSR.

This chapter focuses, therefore, on these challenges and the prospects of the Corporate Social

Responsibility Bill 2015 (CSR Bill 2015) currently passing through legislative processes to

becoming law. This chapter discusses what may be considered with the passage of the CSR

Bill 2015 as a welcome development for Nigeria.

637
The Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act 2007 became law on 28 May 2007,
the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act 2011 became law on 3 June 2011 repealing the
Nigerian Accounting Standards Board Act 2003 which was much restricted in scope regarding
reporting requirements of public companies.

239
7.2 CSR and Nigeria’s development agenda

Considering the history of corporations and the practice of CSR in Nigeria, the proper

management of CSR programs has been criticised as the bane of development in the Niger

Delta. To a lesser extent this criticism is valid for the rest of the country where non-oil

businesses operate. The ostensible impunity with which IOCs operate in the Niger Delta has

contributed to the agitation for legislation to institutionalise CSR practices in Nigeria. This

task is not devoid of inherent challenges including lack of research, human capital issues and

unstructured business-society interfacing strategies. The importance of CSR to a developing

country is important because CSR policies engender developmental goals.638

7.2.1 Socio-cultural issues of Nigeria’s development

Businesses often talk of an ‘enabling environment’. This environment must be in the context

of a society and its norms. Research has shown that CSR is influenced by the socio-cultural

norms of Nigeria.639 Recognising the peculiar socio-economic and corporate history of

Nigeria informs the notion of ‘an enabling environment’ in China, Germany or the US will

differ according to the context of the socio-cultural norms. One of the most iconic

characteristics of Nigeria is the pervasiveness of corruption and tribalism.640 The Federal

Character Commission established under the Constitution to ensure adherence to the ‘federal

638
For a discussion on CSR and its developmental impact in the Niger Delta see: Oko Ndu and B.A.
Agbonifoh ‘Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria: A Study of the Petroleum Industry and the
Niger Delta Area’ International Review of Social Sciences and Humanities (2014) Vol. 6, No. 2, 214-
238, 234.
639
For a discussion on Nigeria’s peculiar CSR environment against the backdrop of Western influence
see Amaeshi K, Bongo Adi, Chris Ogbechie and Olufemi Amao, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) in Nigeria: Western Mimicry or Indigenous Practices?’ (2006) 24 JCC 83.
640
Section 14 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) recognises
the diversity of Nigerian tribes and provides for fair representation of indigenes from the major tribes.
Nigeria consists of over 250 ethnic tribes and languages. Often, there are allegations that political
office holders favour tribesmen in all manner of government discretionary appointments.

240
character’ of Nigeria recognises this issue.641 Jing and Graham have argued that the various

tribal affiliations exhibited by public official tends to promote corruption in Nigeria.642 An

effective CSR policy or law should impact society positively. Nigeria being a country of

many languages and entrenched tribal sentiments, CSR can be a tool for business to build

partnerships with the local communities in which they operate.643 Diverse cultures,

ecological and social needs can be addressed through a CSR program that recognises the

particular needs of host communities. CSR programs can support CSOs in campaigns /can

help solve many social problems in healthcare, SME-small business sustainability, solar

energy, education, scientific research etc.

The direct application of funds to community projects will create a further bond between

business and such communities. This is recommended in developing countries where national

priorities may divert taxes away from social projects in particular communities that produce

high revenue for the country. In Nigeria, the Niger-Delta people have consistently argued that

they should be given more proceeds of the crude oil with which they are naturally endowed.

This apparently influenced the Federal Allocation and Derivation Policy of Nigeria.644

Nonetheless, Omotosho captured the public perception accurately when he observed that ‘the

federal government controls a disproportionate amount of resources to the detriment of the

sub-federal governments’.645 The oil producing areas continue to agitate that the development

profile of their communities is vastly different from that of the federal government territory

and its areas of influence.

641
Section 153(1)(c) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
642
Runtian Jing and John L. Graham op cit have concluded that regarding societies with various tribal
affiliations, the more homogenous a society is the less the propensity for nepotism.
643
This is one of the stated objectives of the Philippines Corporate Social Responsibility Act 2011.
644
Femi Omotosho, ‘Nigerian Fiscal Federalism and Revenue Allocation Formula for Sustainable
Development in Niger delta’ (2010) 5 The Social Sciences 246
645
ibid 249

241
There is no CSR Social Impact Index data for Nigeria. Frynas has observed that “SPDC built

three town halls in one Niger Delta community as three community chiefs wanted to benefit

personally from contracts for their construction”.646

This would be useful in the measurement of the effectiveness of CSR projects in deprived

communities. It will be further useful in having a coordinated approach to mapping and

recording CSR projects to assess the impact on host communities. The increasing

urbanisation of many towns (now cities) in Nigeria calls for a moderation through planning

and effective policies. CSR by the government will dictate the situation of industrial areas

outside of populations, rigorous administration of pollution management policies. In all steps

taken by corporation or government, inputs from CSO organisations should be sought with

wide consultations undertaken.

7.2.2 The economy, developmental imperatives and strategies

The Nigerian economy is the largest in Africa with communication, oil and gas, power, the

financial sector, oil and gas as the main contributors to the GDP. With the tracing of the

economic crisis to the failure of corporate governors to apply adequate ethical considerations

to their operations, the big corporations in Nigeria cannot escape scrutiny.

Clearly, it is important to consider the impact of legislating CSR in Nigeria to the economy.

This is a consideration for not only business but government and society. Business measure

the effectiveness or acceptability of legislation by allusion to the impact on the “enabling

environment” desired for the conduct of business. On the other hand, government perceives

the propriety of its legislation by the willingness with which there are compliance and social

conformity with extant policies and laws. A bad law often leads to various methods of

646
Jedrzej George Frynas, ‘The false developmental promise of Corporate Social Responsibility:
evidence from multinational oil companies’ International Affairs 81, 2005, 585. SPDC is the acronym
for Shell Producing and Development Company.

242
condemnation by those it affects. The public in their assessment will gauge the value of such

laws to achieving what is generally perceived as fair and equitable in the context of the

society in which the laws apply and the environment in which it is meant to apply. The value

of public opinion to both business and government is of great importance. In view of these

assumptions, CSR should be tailored to have transformative effect on the lives of the

cisitizens. Policies in this regard should be of long-term impact and should not be easily

subject to change. Businesses that contribute to society through CSR activities can be granted

tax exemptions commensurate to the value of their contributions. In this way, corporations

will be made to enjoy tax rebates and exemptions rather than tax payments.

Developmental imperatives (SDGs) and strategies

Following from the lack of research and information on business-society relations, no nation-

wide business-society strategy which incorporates the developmental imperatives or

aspirations can be identified. Although CSR is being embraced by most organisations in

Nigeria, it remains largely uncordinated and inconsistent. The application of extant laws

such as the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act 2011 which stipulates the monthly tax of 10%

of corporate profit may inhibit business from accepting further taxation. Corporations will

benefit from engaging in developmental initiatives with stakeholders who provide value-

chain benefits to them. Food processing companies in the agricultural sector can extend their

CSR projects to farmers and intermediate processors. Other important sectors of the Nigerian

economy that may benefit from this approach are the financial, mining and

telecommunication industry. The educational sector can benefit from stakeholder

development initiatives from corporations in every sector of the economy; CSR can be very

effective in sustaining teaching, learning and research in Nigerian schools at all levels and

types – primary, secondary, tertiary and where formal or informal, vocational or professional.

Although some exist, there seems to be very little examples to point at when considering

243
educational CSR projects in Nigeria. The various specialist corporations can fund the

development of all levels of skills required in their industry by partnering institutions

delivering courses in their areas of interest. Funds for CSR can be used to promote innovation

and research partnerships in the areas of interest of the funding corporation.

It is not surprising that discussions on CSR elicits underlying questions about Nigeria’s

development. The reason is not farfetched; there is an inextricable link between the wealth of

the country and the role of the IOCs that exploit the country’s vast crude oil reserves.

Accordingly, CSR is linked with social justice and developmental expectations of the people,

and the government being the legitimate authority to maintain the development agenda

should not lag behind in articulating its business-society position.

Government commitment to the implementation of strategies aimed at the attainment of the

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be made public and constantly reinforced.647

7.2.3 Political stability and development

The economic policies and laws of countries are invariably a reflection of their political

persuasions. Although it is accepted that there are myriad of permutations and cross-

pollination of political ideologies at play at various times in the history of a country, albeit

extant laws reflect certain political leaning of those at the helm of political power.

The recent leak of company registration and activity information tagged the “Panama Papers”

has led to mixed reactions in jurisdictions around the world.648 The historic practice by

wealthy individuals who use shell using companies for tax avoidance by corporate registering

entities in “tax havens” to store funds offshore has been exposed by the Panama leaks.

647
Nigeria has adopted a slogan for its SDG Programme ‘leave no one behind’ and has an informative
website about its implementation at www.sdgs.gov.ng.
648
The “Panama Papers” refers to the 2.6TB of information released by the International Consortium
of Investigative Journalists on 9 May 2016 <https://panamapapers.icij.org/> accessed 16 June 2016.

244
7.3 The failed attempts at legislating CSR

There have been two failed attempts at legislating CSR at the Federal level in Nigeria with

the proposal of the Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2008 (CSR BILL 2008) and the

Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2012 (CSR Bill 2012). The Corporate Social

Responsibility Bill 2015 is the third attempt at legislatting CSR in Nigeria. These failures

highlight the challenge of navigating the legislative process to make laws which can be

considered controvertial.

7.3.1 Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2008

The consideration of the CSR Bill 2008 raises issues that call to question an investigation into

the purport of the intended law. The CSR Bill was introduced in 2008 and passed the second

reading in Parliament raising some questions in its trail on how corporations can contribute to

developmental efforts of government before it was aborted.649 Okoye maintains that the

challenge of legislating CSR is real ‘where governments acknowledge this shared role and

begin to regulate for corporations to contribute mandatorily to development funds’.650 Okoye

further noted that the challenge can be resolved if ‘governance is re-interpreted to involve

states forging closer partnerships with non-state actors and providing a role for them in the

development agenda’.651

The failure of the CSR Bill 2008 can be attributed in part to the lack government backing for

the Bill. Mordi et al. argue that government’s insensitivity ‘encourages the passive attitude of

649
In the application of law in society, it is presumed that there is a purpose or objective to be
achieved by law. Legislation is not the end but a means to an end, for example, of achieving
cooperative developmental strategy with business to meet specific social needs.
650
Adaeze Okoye, ‘Exploring the Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility, Law and
Development in an African Context’, (2012) 54 (5) International Journal of Law and Management
364, 365.
651
Ibid 368.

245
the corporate organizations towards their corporate social responsibility to the people’.652

This Bill proposed several punishments for noncompliance and was rejected by some CSOs

as ‘coercive and punitive’.653 The rejection of the CSR Bill 2008 was further on the ground

that the 3.5% taxes it sought to impose was roundly condemned by business as unreasonable

in the face of poor infrastructural amenities and the increase in transactions costs it will

impose on business.654 It may be said of the CSR Bill 2008 that it was doomed to failure

before it was debated.

7.3.2 Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2012

The fate of the CSR Bill 2012 followed that of its predecessor to failure. It was introduced by

Senator Uche Chukwumerije, a veteran labour activisit, employee rights and human rights

campaigner.

The proposal of a CSR Bill is totally in consonance with Nigeria grund norm which

guarantees internationally accepted human rights of its citizens. The Constitution provides for

the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy which reconfirms that

“the State social order is founded on ideals of Freedom, Equality and Justice” 655. It further

states in section 17(2) that in furtherance of the social order mentions in 17(1);

(a) every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities

before the law;

(b) the sanctity of the human person shall be recognised and human dignity

shall be maintained and enhanced;

652
Chima Mordi, Iroye Samuel Opeyemi, Mordi Tonbara and Stella Ojo, ‘Corporate Social
Responsibility and the Legal Regulation in Nigeria’ (2012) LXIV (1) Economic Insights – Trends and
Challenges 1, 6.
653
L Raimi, I A Adeleke, A Aljadani, and A O Fadipe, (2014) 2 (2) Net Journal of Business
Management 18, 22.
654
ibid
655
Section 17(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

246
 (c) governmental actions shall be humane;

(d) exploitation of human or natural resources in any form whatsoever for

reasons, other than the good of the community, shall be prevented.

Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy

By the provision of section 4(1) of the Nigerian Constitution, ‘legislative powers of the

Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation’ 656.

Section 4(2) states that:

The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace,

order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof with

respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in

Part I of the Second Schedule to this Constitution.

Item 60 (a) of the Second Schedule of the Constitution states the federal legislative powers

can be exercised for:

The establishment and regulation of authorities for the Federation or any

part thereof:

(a) To promote and enforce the observance of the Fundamental Objectives

and Directive Principles contained in this Constitution.

It is arguable that when the exercise federal legislative power is considered with item 60(a) of

the Exclusive legislative list Second Schedule657, that Constitution has imposed a

656
Section 4(1), The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
657
The Part I of the Second Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria contains
the ‘Exclusive legislative List’. Part II contains the ‘Concurrent Legislative List’. CSR is arguably in
the ‘Concurrent List’ and states can also make law by virtue of the in exclusivity of legislative power
in this regard to the federal government.

247
responsibility on the federal lawmakers to make laws which are in the public interest and in

accordance with the ‘Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy’. This

argument has not been touted by advocates seeking the legislating of CSR in Nigeria,

although - I suggest - it is highly persuasive. This is pertinent because the oath of allegiance

of all elected officers of state – whether legislative or executive - include the promise “to

preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.658

The provisions of the Constitution further mandate the federal legislature to monitor the

ownership of business enterprises and report to the president on the same. Section 16 (3)

reads:

A body shall be set up by an Act of the National Assembly which

shall have power;

(a) to review, from time to time, the ownership and control of

business enterprises operating in Nigeria and make

recommendations to the President on same; and

(b) to administer any law for the regulation of the ownership and

control of such enterprises.

This obligation may have been overlooked as no agency or department of government seems

to have taken up this responsibility.

An equally important development is the proliferation of CSOs and local partners of

international organisations. Advocacy groups have played an important role in checkmating

658
The President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Senators and Representatives in both
federal and state governments and parliaments take identical oaths of allegiance contained in the
Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

248
the rampant abuse of corporate power in Nigeria. The return of Nigeria to democratic rule has

opened the floodgates of rights and development advocacy groups that have become rampant

in Nigeria. The new era of democratic governance has heralded the emergence of vociferous

champions of issues relating to climate change, development, social justice, health and safety

amongst other issues. I argued that the ‘fundamental objectives’ stated in the Constitution are

not at variance with CSR goals but promote it. CSR will benefit the society at large. This is

the argument of this research in view of the developmental goals and objectives of

developing countries.

7.3.3 Corporate Social Responsibility Bill 2015

Notwithstanding the failure of the earlier CSR Bills in 2008 and 2012, a further attempt was

launched with the introduction of the Corporate social responsibility Bill 2015. The reasons

for the failure of the passage of the previous CSR Bills are found partly in their provisions.

The present CSR Bill 2015 seems to be gaining traction having been referred to the

Committee on Interior and justice for further legislative input.659 The need for legal reform is

often the product of changing culture, social or economic circumstance of a state and the need

to reform legislation to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in the present and foreseeable

future.

The representation of a CSR bill signifies the importance and currency of the subject in

contemporary corporate law both national and internationally. It is also argued that the

attempted recourse to a CSR Bill exposes the inadequacy of other legislations on human

rights, employment and environmental issues to address the broader social issues being

tackled under the discipline of CSR.

659
It is common knowledge that when Bills are referred to the specialised Committees having passed
the first and second readings they are likely to pass in the absence of legal contradictions. However, at
this stage Bills are subject to pressure from lobbyists and passage cannot be taken for granted.

249
The failure of the 2015 Bill may be attributable to the fact that it was lacking in research-

based premises. I contend that the prescursor to the making of good and acceptable laws is an

understanding of the socio-economic and politico-legal environment in which the proposed

laws will operate. If a law does not reflect the community in which it is meant to be observed,

it may face rejection and become useless. As at 2015, no identifiable CSR research document

is obainable from any governeental organisation. Of the meagre research papers available on

CSR in Nigeria, most have been written by academics and a negligible amount by state

agencies and organised business forums. Most are qualitative studies with limited empirical

quantitative content. This development should not be discountenanced because it is from a

thorough discussion on the theories and conceptions of CSR that more quantitative research

can be undertaken. Sector-by-sector research is also needed to gain the benefit of a holistic

understanding of the extent of the practice of CSR in Nigeria. Some research has been done

on CSR in the banking sector660, oil and gas661, cement industry662, community

development663, and small and medium-scale private businesses664. As CSOs and private

practitioners delve into the subject, governement should be conducting or commissioning

credible research upon which policies can be made. The lack of this may have contributed to

the lack of traction by previous proposals at legislating CSR in Nigeria.

660
Joseph K. Achua, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigerian Banking System’, (2008) 3 (1)
Society and Business Review 57. Achua called for external regulation in addition to the self-
regulation in the Nigerian banking sector.
661
C. Ukeje, ‘Changing the Paradigm of Pacification: Oil and Militarization in Niger Delta's Region’
in C. Obi and S. A. Rustad (eds), ‘Oil and Insurgency in the Niger Delta, Managing the Complex
Politics of Petro-Violence (1st, Zed Books Ltd., Uppsala, Sweden 2011) 94.
662
Adeolu O. Adewuyi and Afolabi E. Olowookere, ‘CSR and Sustainable Community Development
in Nigeria: WAPCO, a case from the Cement Industry", (2010) 6 (4) Social Responsibility Journal
522
663
Adeolu O. Adewuyi and Afolabi E. Olowookere (2010) op cit.
664
Eme Joel Efiong, Obal U. E. Usang, Inyang O. Inyang & Charles Effiong, ‘Corporate Social
Responsibility in Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria: An Example from the Hotel
Industry’ (2013) 8 (14) International Journal of Business and Management 119. This study focused on
privately run hotels.

250
Human rights and CSR

Although a lot has been written on the human rights issues in Nigeia generally and those

relating to corporations in particular, what is lacking here is the firmness of state agencies in

either implementing extant laws or giving effect to court decisions. Historically, the case of

the Ogoni Nine is unforgetable for its place in the history of the unrest in the Niger Delta

region. CSOs and private individuals must be able to freely assemble and disseminate

grievances when corporations are concerned. The Consumer Protection Council (CPC),

Corproate Affairs Commission (CAC), The Niger Deta Development Commission (NDDC)

other relevant agencies need to establish monitoring and evaluation processes in order to

capture information on corproate practices in the region in particular and all over Nigeria.

Where infringements have occurred private litigations should be possible and not a

hinderance as it is currently. There is a wide chasm of financial and political clout between a

private litigant and the corporations that discourages protestors. This has led to some lethargy

on the part of potential litigants. Instead of litigating, aggrieved persons find expression

through public demonstrations instead of filing lawsuits. Of course, mass rallies are often

dispersed by state security agents and so are less effective. Legal aid and public interest

should, when weighed together, provide adequate incentive to pursue claims in the public

interest were corporate malfeasance has been identified.

7.4 The prospects of mandatory legislation of CSR

The successful enforcement and implementation of existing rules, codes and legislation such

as the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Act 2007 (NEITI Act) can promote

the passing of a CSR legislation. This is because of the knock-on effect and fundamental

acceptance and understanding that such laws can create. The NEITI Act was derived from

Nigeria’s subscription to the voluntary global organisation Extractive Industry Transparency

251
Initiative (EITI) which has been endorsed by the UN.665 The focus of NEITI as published has

been on what the oil companies operating in Nigeria owe the country out of their joint

enterprise. However, little attention is paid to the more serious issue of the internal

administration of the wealth is accounted for. The loot of the former head of state Abacha

which was put at several billions of dollars allegedly were syphoned from proceeds and

accruals from this one entity. The mandatory requirement of publishing payments to

government by oil companies and the actual receipts by the government as provided by the

NEITI Act should contribute to a more credible audit of Nigeria’s oil revenue if

implemented.

I suggest that the penal provisions Penal provisions of the NEITI Act and other such

regulatory regimes of the environment or employee rights alone are insufficient to stem the

tide of corporate social impunity in Nigeria. The passing of a Whistleblowing Bill will

complement the effectiveness of the existing laws against corruption. In 2008, the Whistle

Blower Protection Bill666 was not passed into law. It has been reintroduced recently as the

Whistle Blower Protection Bill 2015 but has not been passed into law but has been adopted a

s policy by government. This is notwithstanding the protection offered in Freedom of

Information (FOI) cases by section 27(2) (b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 that

protects “any public officer who discloses to any person any information which he reasonably

believes to show – (a) a violation of any law, rule or regulation; (b) mismanagement, gross

waste of funds, fraud, and abuse of authority; or (c) a substantial and specific danger to public

health or safely, notwithstanding that such information was disclosed pursuant to the

provisions of this Act.”667 Similarly, Nigeria is obligated to “protect informants and

665
UN General assembly adopted unanimous a resolution supporting EITI in September 2008.
666666
The Whistle Blower Protection Bill 2008 (SB.233) Senate, National Assembly, Nigeria.
<http://nass.gov.ng/document/download/904accessed> 14 July 2015
667
Section 27(2) (b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

252
witnesses in corruption and related offences, including protection of their identities” as a

signatory to the African corruption Convention.668 In Nigeria, consideration should be given

to the procurement processes. A whistleblowing law if introduced will provide protection for

those who risk recrimination for divulging any unwholesome practices of their employers.

The procurement process of an economy in which a large proportion of budgetary allocation

is spent on recurrent expenditure should not be lightly disregarded.

7.4.1 How should the law be framed? (enactment)

The recurrence of Bills in the Nigerian parliament suggests that the mandating of CSR is a

matter of when and not if. It is importance to look at the existing framework to examine the

likely outlook for the Nigerian economy upon the introduction of legislation for CSR.

Some factors that will affect global markets and by extension CSR policy-making in the

future have been predicted. According to Euromonitor International:

Despite the uncertainties facing the global economy, certain trends are

inevitable. The world will become smaller, more aged, more city-focused,

more cautious and more polarised between the rich and poor. The climate

will change, food prices will rise, and economic power will shift from West

to East.669

In their report, the following trends were identified as being vital factors in the future growth

of consumer markets: the emerging middle class in developing markets, global climate

668
Article 5, Paragraph 4 of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.
669
Euromonitor International a private market research company based in London which in 2005
predicted some global trends which they considered to be “inevitable” in the “next five years”.

253
change and a more connected world.670 Therefore, any proposed CSR reform should not

create limitations on the right of expression so as not to hinder innovation and

entrepreneurship.671

Appropriate legislation

Any CSR legislation must take into account the socio-cultural, economic and political

environment by recognising that the suitability of any legislation is determined in the context

of jurisdiction in which it will apply. For example, an effective CSR model for Nigeria

should not dissuade foreign corporations from continued investment due to Nigeria’s

continued need to attract FDI. It should be sensitive also, to the need to promote the transfer

of technological skills from foreign corporations to the indigenous labour force. 672 In order to

build local capacity, improving the education and investment in science and innovation

should also receive due consideration. In view of all the above, a CSR law will need to

achieve a balance between the social needs of Nigeria and the interest of big foreign

companies in particular. A hybrid CSR meta-regulatory approach may be better suited to the

needs of Nigeria. The proposal of a hybrid (or meta-regulatory CSR model) is based on

balancing the main objective of corporations generally with the wider issues of the

inclusiveness of stakeholders, and environmental sustainability. The purpose is to examine

the existing regulatory climate to achieve prudential regulation.

670
These trends may still be relevant for the foreseeable future and in any event over the next further
five years. See <http://blog.euromonitor.com/2012/11/10-global-macro-trends-for-the-next-five-
years.html#sthash.c.O8HvTC.pduf> accessed 14 July 2016
671
There is a compelling case for harmonisation of business’s social responsibility programs with
government’s development or social welfare program. Porter and Kramer671 want businesses to create
value from the interconnecting activity between its objectives and social welfare objectives. Tobacco
and arms dealing companies may not be able to have a ‘shared value’ with society. This is because
wars and ill health are anathemas to social welfare. Indeed, it would seem that business can only
thrive in a society where there is stability, development and fair and wide distribution of wealth.
Conversely, the government will thrive (and it must be emphasised) in a free market economy where
business is enabled by government and not ‘stifled’ by legislative intrusions into corporate dynamics.
672
The Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Development Act 2010.

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The benefit of legal precedent

The concept of legal precedent provides in law a certain ‘assurance’ and ‘predictability’ in

legal proceedings. Nigeria can draw from comparative research on the Indian and Mauritian

models to generate an autochthonous framework. The decisions of courts must be

incorporated in its provisions to ensure that the new law is not contradictory to existing

binding judgements.

7.4.2 What of enforcement mechanisms?

The requirement of wide consultation is necessary to ensure obtaining credible facts and

premise for any proposed CSR legislation. The inclusion of the responsibility of publication

of reporting standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria is a welcome

development.673 Although it will provide public access information about corporations, it

will not provide information about the difficulties and challenges corporations face in the

course of compliance.

Most observers of corporations have adjudged their attitudes to be nonchalant and at best

inconsistent. Corporations must be induced by the corporate sanction to dialogue actively

with their communities and produce relevant reports evidencing the same. The era of

producing sound bites on websites as evidence of complying with social responsibility should

be over. This will ensure that corporate reports are relevant and relatable to their

communities.

Corporate leaders must be engaged actively to ensure they are abreast with and consciously

applying the principles of CSR.

673
See Section 24(a) Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act 2011

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Standardisation of corporate responsibility

Where ‘responsibilities’ have been identified, it is beneficial to ‘concretise’ them through

legislation in order to ensure greater regulatory efficiency. It is suggested that the ‘comply or

explain’ mechanisms of most international organisations and the adopted self-regulatory

stance of corporations have yielded only limited benefits to society.

Standards should not only be prescribed for acceptable corporate behaviour but also of

remedies in the case of instances where the law is breached. Where remedies are stipulated in

law, the society can develop legitimate expectations of remedial action in relation to any

infringements by corporations. Through legislation, high regulatory standards can be

achieved. Periodic reports on CSR compliance by corporations can also be published which

will detail the degree to which a company meets stipulated standards. The use of CSR Impact

Assessment Reports and the like can be made public documents for the use of interested

investors and researchers.

To ensure proper standardisation of CSR, the regulatory agencies tasked with compliance

monitoring should be properly funded. For example, foreign investment into Nigeria is not

screened to ensure that corporate social performance requirements are considered and

socially responsible means are deployed in the implementation of corporate plans.674 Also,

any ratings and indexes compiling compliance in Nigeria should be reflective of the local

circumstances in order to gain credibility for relevance.

674
In Angola, the Bases for Private Investment Law 2003 require foreign investors to obtain
government approvals especially where oil concessions are required. Investors in diamond and oil
sectors are required to provide social infrastructure for the local communities in which they operate.

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Adaptability

One of the issues of CSR is the adaptability of standards across different types of

corporations. Different industries face different issues. The modus operandi of corporations

differs in context. Some are primary consumers of raw materials such as in extractive

industries and others are primary users of labour as in agricultural produce firms, whilst

others are engaged in a chain of value-added operations in more than one country such as in

the clothes making industry. CSR needs may differ from community to community; where

one may be heavily involved with environmental issues, the other may be more involved in

labour or health. CSR standards must, therefore, be adaptable to each company’s needs. The

making of legislation to address the general CSR issues leaves in the hands of corporations

the ability to develop compliant systems through internally designed models. Visser and

Kymal have suggested the need to analyse and map the needs of a particular company so as

to produce a company-specific and objective-oriented CSR model.675 This approach can also

be extrapolated to states seeking to legislate CSR.

7.4.3 Assessment - evaluation and reform

Assessment and evaluation

In regulating CSR, adequate assessment criteria relevant should be identified. There is no

assessment organisation with comprehensive industry by industry criteria. The use of rating

organisations has not been widely adopted in Nigeria. There is limited recognition and

application of popular standards such as FairTrade and no local alternatives have been

formulated. Until standards are formulated for the local corporations there will be limited

acceptance and application of some international standards.

675
See Wayne Visser and Chad Kymal, ‘Creating Integrated Value: Beyond CSR and CSV to CIV’
(2014) Available at <https://ssrn.com/abstract=2522987> accessed 22 July 2017.

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Research

There is little visibility of – if at all there exists – products of research into CSR. This may be

because the subject is more firmly rooted as part of business management than corporate law

studies. It is, however, vital that MNCs and large companies invest in research to identify

their stakeholders. Research in this area will help corporations understand their environment

and how to engage with them. The assessment of corporate reputation, branding and product

acceptability will be inconclusive without considering the impact of public perception and its

impact on products and services of corporation. There is evidence that public perception of a

corporation’s social value affects consumer choice.

Research projects should not be centred only on understanding the corporate objectives and

social responsiveness of corporations only. Conversely, corporations should not be fixated on

promoting only research and development activities that guarantee financial returns.

Although investment in future products is essential for the growth of companies in a

competitive environment, investing in social projects such as in green economy cannot be

ignored. Indeed, corporations that invest in researching ecological preservation and realising

competitive product lines may achieve a desirable balance between long term profiteering

and socially responsible strategy.

GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies – announced

recently relaxation of its intellectual property rights to benefit about 85 developing countries

most of which are in Africa, as part of its CSR.676 The announcement relates to the

676
This issue came up for discussion at the 3rd India Africa Forum Summit that held in New Delhi
between 26 – 29 October 2015. See M K Venu, ‘India Must Resist US Pressure on Generic Drugs,
African Leaders to tell Modi’ The Wire, (26 October 2015). <http://thewire.in/2015/10/26/india-must-
resist-us-pressure-on-generic-drugs-african-leaders-to-tell-modi-14015/> last accessed 6 March 2016.
See also Julia Kowelle, ‘GlaxoSmithKline to Lower Drug Prices in Poorer Countries’ The Guardian
(31 March 2016)

258
production of generic antiretroviral drugs for the treatment of HIV/AIDS treatment in poorer

countries.677

Contemporary research therefore should concentrate on environmental issues which seem to

be receiving increasing attention since the turn of the century. It may be that very little areas

in which corporate responsibility will not be left unlegislated but the environment from which

all economic activities flow should be considered fundamental to CSR. As a developing

country Nigeria’s CSR policies and prospective legislation should also ensure adequate

research in understanding the modern MNC and technological innovations. Concerning

research of CSR in Nigeria, the work of the National Office for Technology Acquisition and

Promotion (NOTAP) Act 1994 and National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) can be

crucial to successful proposal of CSR legislation.

What is predictable for the foreseeable future is the continued proliferation of big business

and globalisation. With this, a formidable challenge to regulation should be expected with an

expansion in the influence of capitalism. The force of the argument against legislating on, or

regulating CSR by a third-party entity, can only be diluted when a case is made in the interest

of business. On this footing, the thesis of this study is that legislation (with special interest in

Nigeria) in itself does not automatically lead to inhibition for business. It can be

advantageous for business. The laws must not be complex but simple and codified in a single

statute for ease of reference and legislative elegance. The legal framework must embrace

already acceptable standards against forced labour, economic and cultural rights etc.

<https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/mar/31/glaxosmithkline-to-lower-drug-prices-to-help-
poorer-countries> accessed 14 July 2016.
677
HIV is the acronym for Human Immunodeficiency Virus which attacks the body’s immune system.
Untreated HIV leads to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the final stages and may
lead to other health complications.

259
In view of corporate law history and corporate objectives being pursued through CSR

programmes, prospects and opportunities exist for mandating CSR in developing countries

such as Nigeria. The evaluation of the socio-legal framework of the practice of CSR in

Nigeria dictates that certain measures will be required for the optimal efficacy of any

proposed legislation in regard of mandating CSR.

A hybrid solution?

As a developing country, there are peculiar socio-political and economic realities to be

considered when answering the question of the benefits of legislating CSR in Nigeria.

Notwithstanding the clear criticisms of legislating CSR mainly the potential to ward of

prospective foreign investors and inhibiting, it is argued that the benefits outweigh any

perceived disadvantages.

In the case of foreign investors, it will be inconceivable that such investors are not subject to

public scrutiny of their actions and activities in their home states. Although they may not be

statutorily regulated by legislation, corporations are often more responsive to public scrutiny

in the modern world than to the often bureaucratic and slow winding regulatory machinery of

developing states.

Graeme Auld et al., have analysed CSR in terms of a “win-win” and win-lose” strategy which

thy explained; ‘In win-win situations, solutions are available internally, where improvements

in practices are also profitable. In win-lose cases, however, immediately available internal

solutions are unprofitable or otherwise harmful to the firm’s survival or success in the

marketplace’.678

678
Graeme Auld, Steven Bernstein, and Benjamin Cashore, ‘The New Corporate Social
Responsibility’ (2008) 33 Annu. Rev. Environ. Resour. 413, 415.

260
It is evident that achieving a win-win situation in developing countries will be desirable and

should be actively pursued; in a scenario where companies do not envisage any benefit for

their businesses, compliance with any strategy of regulatory mechanism will be low.

Probability of the Emergence of international corporate law

The seeming reccent convergence of jurisprudence and legislation on CSR coupled with the

intendment of the various ‘codes’, ‘principles’ and ‘guidelines’ of multilateral organisations

is suggestive of a global convergence towards a more concrete social responsibility

regulatory regime for MNCs. The general application of corporate criminal liability and

criminal sanctions for corporate crimes is indicative of the wide acceptance of corporate

liability in criminal law. Corruption is a worldwide phenomenon but is particularly rampant

in Nigeria. Corruption includes the giving and taking of bribes by corporate managers and

their agents who pursue their business interests. Therefore, the criminalisation of “grease

money” and other forms of undue gratification to public sector workers in the course of doing

business should be pursued. An effective way of combating corruption is the reform of legal

stipulations regarding preventative, investigative and prosecutorial aspects of criminal law.

Criminal law should complement any other legislation seeking to achieve the conduct of

business in an ethical manner.

Nigeria is a signatory and ratifying member of the United Nations Convention against

Corruption.679 On the continental level, the Assembly of the African Union adopted the

Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption in 2003.680 It is interesting that the AU

679
The Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 31 October 2003. However, Nigeria
signed it on 9 December 20013 and ratified it on 24 October 2004.
680
This Convention was adopted on 11 July 2003 and so predates the UN Convention against
Corruption by a few months. It came into force on 5 August 2006 having been ratified by the required
number of states (15). As at 2013 34 states of the 54 member states of AU had ratified the treaty.

261
Convention makes reference to the respect of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’

Rights 1981 as one of its principles.681

There are many provisions in Nigerian law prohibiting corrupt practices which does not

exclude corporate managers. Sections 8 – 10 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other

Related Offences Commission Act 2000682 (ICPC Act) prohibit bribery by public officers in

all possible ramifications. Despite the stipulation that bribery can occur in the public sector

and private sector, no prosecution of private sector bribery has been recorded in Nigeria. 683

Notwithstanding the collection of international treaties aimed at cooperation amongst states

in fighting corruption, very little successes have been recorded in developing states. 684 In

South America, the Guatemalan President was ousted and charged after he was stripped of

immunity by the state parliament. However, in Nigeria, reporting provisions in laws such as

the NEITI Act may be yielding results exemplified by the recent announcement that Nigerian

National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) declared for the first time in 15 years.685

Transparency International has stated that “the larger the oil sector relative to a country’s

economy, the greater the potential for political corruption”.686

681
Article 3, African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption 2003
682
This Act came into force on 13 June 2000 upon receiving presidential assent. Although this law is
primarily applicable to public officers its section 17 does not seem to discriminate on applicability to
corporate managers or corporations.
683
UNCAC Executive Summary on Nigeria published 11 June 2014 and obtainable online:
http://www.unodc.org/documents/treaties/UNCAC/WorkingGroups/ImplementationReviewGroup/Ex
ecutiveSummaries/V1403916e.pdf last accessed 8 September 2015.
684
See
685
Ejiofor Alike et al., ‘For the First Time in 15 years, NNPC reports monthly profit of N274m’ This
Day (Lagos, 8 July 2016) <http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/07/08/for-first-time-in-15-
years-nnpc-reports-monthly-profit-of-n274m/> accessed 13 July 2016. N274 million is about U$D1
million.
686
Transparency International’s Global Corruption Report, 2004. Transparency International was
initiated by the UK Government after its unveiling in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002 by British
Prime Minister Tony Blair at the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

262
Regrettably most prosecutions have been lacking credibility and subject to the criticism of

being politically motivated.687 Critics argue that prosecution of a few, when most former and

incumbent public office holders should probably be investigated, leads the public to dismiss

efforts in this regard as lacking credibility. They argue that executive discretion in

prosecutions make the process subject to abuse. In the case of money laundering brought by

the British Government against Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, this lead to

prosecution but a grant of pardon by Nigeria’s President Ebele Jonathan on 12 March 2013.

In developed countries, strong commercial competition strong legal institutions, and more

enlightened public force corporations to take notice and be responsive to social issues. As

these elements grow in Nigeria, corporations may become more accountable. However, in

view of the present state of lack of competitiveness, under-performing legal institutions and

mainly unenlightened public, the law and an effective regulatory framework remains the

basic recourse.

Lex ferenda of CSR in Nigeria

The consideration of the existing legal framework has revealed the aspects of legislation that

ought to be explored when contemplating the making of legislation on CSR.

(i) a resort to the use of legislation in a less frontal way by taking cue from the

Section 172 of the UK Companies Act 2006 – The idea here is that the legislation

does not need to be called a ‘Corporate Social Responsibility” legislation.

687
See report on Nigeria titled ‘Corruption on Trial? The Record of Nigeria’s Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission’ (2011) Human Rights Watch 47 available online <
https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/nigeria0811WebPostR.pdf> accessed 22 July 2017.

263
 (ii) also, a complementary legislation can also be adopted: The passing into law of the

Nigeria Financial Reporting Act688 and the likely passage of the Petroleum

Industry Bill portends a future for mandatory CSR.

The examples of Philippines, India and Mauritius suggest a “creep” towards legislation of

CSR by more developing countries. This gives each country the opportunity to domesticate

international standards. In the case of Nigeria, it can achieve many social, economic and

political benefits. Advantages will also be gained in ecological conservation and human

capacity building.

It is evident from the array of legislations enacted by the Nigerian government that socially

responsible corporate behaviour is intended by them. The issue is, however, the “teeth” of

legislation and effective management and enforcement of regulatory provisions. Corporate

activity cannot be exercised in vacuo the socio-cultural realities of a community.

Corporations should see CSR legislation as an opportunity rather than a threat to doing

business. In Nigeria where there is a strong socio-cultural allegiance, a corporation that

adopts the tenets of “communal living” and the provision of social services for the host

community will reap the benefits of a protective and welcoming society.

The making of laws mandating CSR in some countries has in the case of India, the

Philippines and Nigeria is probably the result of serious domestic situations regarding

environmental degradation and human rights abuse. In these countries, where soft law

previously existed (and still do exist in the form of international standards), hard law has

taken its place; countries with ineffective implementation of extant laws should expect

greater pressure for the further regulatory action. In the case of Indonesia, judicial

pronouncement was required to interpret ambiguous regulatory provisions.

688
The case of IBTC and the Reporting Council of Nigeria reinforces safeguards for investors and
responds to the wide social interest issue of enforcing good banking practices.

264
This research suggests that lack of adequate regulatory authorities such as should be

conferred by legislation is to blame for the current situation, rather than non-performance of

existing regulatory authorities. It is also suggested that in legislating on CSR in Nigeria, the

consideration of the economic, social and political impact of any regulatory regime is

imperative. It is important for the government to formulate or adopt a policy stance with a

clear strategic objective. A policy position is important as state organs will be directly

involved in the articulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its execution.

Corporate sustainability can be enhanced by the positive endorsement of a socially

responsible corporation and its products. A socially responsible company can, therefore, earn

competitive advantage due to its practices and build a positive reputation for its products.

One thing is certain in the study of CSR; the fast moving and changing shape discourse in the

subject often takes. Countries considering the role of the state in this discourse must contend

with and consider the need to propose sustainable ideas and solutions. Not to do this may

mean that events will relegate such proposals to obscurity and irrelevance in the near future.

To this end, some prediction is inevitable of the social, political and technological

advancements being achieved globally.

7.5 Looking beyond 2015 – what lies ahead?

The notoriety of the devastation caused in Ogoniland by Shell and its partners have in no

small measure led to the public apathy towards IOCs in Nigeria and IOCs will remain

relevant in CSR discourse.

The self-regulatory programmes that multinational companies have used in Nigeria have not

fully assuaged the desire of the public to see greater accountability of big corporations

265
especially those in the oil and gas sector. It is a matter of discomfiture for every Nigeria

government since independence that gas flaring and spillages continue to devastate the poor

rural areas in which big oil and gas MNCs operate.

Therefore, the influences to regulate more stringently on CSR will persist well into the

present century. International legislation and standards will apparently continue to impact

national policies towards mandatory CSR models. Substantial corporate failures may

instigate legislating CSR more quickly than anticipated. For instance, large-scale industrial

hazards and corporate indiscretion have sometimes led to the enactment of laws. The EU in

responded to the industrial accident in Seveso, Italy by enacting the EU Seveso Directive

(82/501/EC)689 aimed at creating a Europe-wide policy to prevent further large-scale

industrial mishaps that can potentially harm humans and the environment.

The generous subscription of states to Sustainable Development Goals, it can be argued, is

indicative of the policy leanings of the subscribing governments. This is because, in

achieving the various stated goals set out, changes may need to be made in procurement

choices thereby influencing decisions regarding corporate sustainability. For instance, the

Italian Chamber of Deputies in 2015 passed a comprehensive legislation aimed at giving

policy direction in areas such as environmental liability, green public procurement and

sustainable mobility. New rules were also made affecting recycling, waste reduction and

green public procurement with companies adopting green standards and sustainable practises

enjoying competitive advantage. Furthermore, the investment of €35 million by government

in green mobility will further impact corporate decisions for companies in affected industries.

689
This law was replaced in 1996 by EU Seveso II Directive (96/82/EC) and 2012 with EU Seveso III
Directive (2012/18/EC) which gave citizens the right to access information regarding this legislation.

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The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change690 The global climate change

issue is increasing in profile. The Climate Change Conference in Paris 2015 attracted the

highest level of governmental participation.691 The urgency attached to the attainment of a

decarbonised global environment was reinforced at the Conference in Abu Dhabi, United

Arab Emirates (UAE) 2014 and has led many to believe that the world has awoken to its

responsibilities and buried the myths which sought to obscure the scientific assertions that

human activities impact climatic changes universally. The outcome of these conferences has

conspired to bring new urgency and focus to bear on global environmental issues.

Interestingly, the sharp and sustained fall in the global price of crude oil has not resulted in

reduced production in the product. There has been no significant increase in the global

consumption of renewable energy to warrant a significant change in the global demand for

fossil fuel. The prognostication of alternative sources of energy is debateable and defies

accurate conjecture.692 The significance of this is that production in the oil and gas sector

continues to impact communities in the same way as before but with the dwindling resources

of affected companies may have retrogressive impact on the funding and implementation of

CSR projects.

7.6 Summary

In summary, the prospects of legislating CSR in Nigeria has been set by the extant law. In

one sense, there is no need to replicate the provisions of the various laws that impact

690
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change came into force on 21 March
1994.
691
The theme of the 2015 UN Summit on Climate Change was aimed at reducing global carbon
production to less than 2%.
692
While the funding of governments around the world may be encouraging, the commercialisation of
new energy innovations may be far from being achieved. The US Government is funding research in
new energy sources.

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corporations in extracting socially responsible commitment from them. The venture of the

failed attempts at legislating CSR may have failed for lack of concision in its formulation, but

has probably failed more for being superfluous. In the next chapter, the considerations for

drafting a viable CSR legislation in view of Nigeria’s circumstances will be considered.

In the next chapter, an overview of this thesis will be conducted with a view to making

recommendations and contributions of this work to the theory of CSR and its practise in

Nigeria. The next chapter will conclude with identifying the prospects of prospects of

introducing a CSR legislation subject to the removal of institutional and political challenges.

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 CHAPTER EIGHT

Summation and Recommendations

8.1. Summation of thesis

This research observes that corproate social responsibility has evolved with speed but without

a determined destination since the 1950s. It is also clear that the subject is concretising into a

widely referenced subject in social, economic and political studies, moving towards a global

convergence of the stakeholder theoretical view of corproate law. The increasing spate of the

enactment of hard law is shaping corporate behaviour in a way unprecedented due to a more

vocal and interested public.

It is also determinable from the historical development of CSR that developing countries are

employing CSR as a developental tool. In some jurisdictions like India, Nigeria, Mauritius

and Indonesia, CSR has become mandatory through democratically political processes

making it a strong feature of the extant regulations of business. All this is to recognise the

changing objectives of companies; no longer is the shareholder value maintained absolutely

in the interest of company owners and promoters, it is now admitting of wider interests in

environmental, social and governance matters. Unfortunately, the lack of research and data

from the monitoring and evaluation of the immature laws from India and Mauritius where the

mandatory CSR is still in its experimental stages reduces the exactness of any predictions for

the future of CSR – for example, a resurgence of capitalism to boost global economy may

derail the future trajectory of CSR all over the world, though this is unlikely due to the firm

entrenchment of capitalism. An important note is the need to develop home-grown CSR

regulatory measures and making the range of structural or institutional reforms required to

align corporate activity to the developmental needs of society. As for the prospects of CSR in

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international law, the poor prospect of the possibility of the development of an ‘international

corproate law’ regime is a debilitating factor despite the production fo some regulatory

instruments by some regional, contiental and global international political institutions.

In the final analysis, this research reveals that CSR can used in a supplementary and

complementary way to support state developmental initiatives, - and critically – that it can be

mandated in a well-crafted legislative instrument. The prospects of the viability of legally

mandating CSR in Nigeria is at best assessed as ‘cautiously optimistic’ in view of the

peculiarities of the country. Some recommendations have been proffered recognising the

importance of aversion to international regulatory developments. Nigeria’s economic

situation in international commerce does not allow for neglecting any relevant international

occurrence that may affect its ability to maintain a balanced approach to its policy on CSR.

Considering both domestic and international influences on CSR development in Nigeria, and

the opportunities and threats that legislating CSR may proffer, some recommendations are

inescapable.

8.2 Recommendations: International Law

Based on the findings in this research, some recommendations can be submitted for

consideration.

8.2.1 Insurance

A study by Dylan Minor and John Morgan has shown that corporations can exploit CSR as

insurance against reputational damage.693 This study confirms the value of CSR beyond the

Dylan Minor and John Morgan, ‘CSR as Reputation Insurance: Primum Non Nocere’ (2011) 53 (3)
693

California Management Review 40.

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short-term and in times of reputational crisis. It is highly recommended that corporations

consider CSR as a strategic investment for this reason alone.

8.2.2 Amendment of Corporate Governance Codes etc.

As has been discussed, corporate governance codes that do not have the force of law may not

be as effective as those with sanctionable provisions. In international law, soft law

instruments are used most frequently to engage business and draw attention to what ought to

be standard practice but the various attempts have not been very successful. It is pertinent to

ensure that future codes do not only exhort corporate managers and company promoters but

also ensure they comply with definitive rules of social responsibility with sanctions

attached.694 The application of ‘apply or explain’ procedure instead of ‘comply or explain’

leave no room for exception. This is recommended for any new standards, codes, guidelines

or principles of CSR aimed at ensuring the adoption of social responsibility by corporations.

Additionally, CSR codes should ensure that corporations use “certified” professionalism.

With standardisation of concepts and the development of a more structured subject, obtaining

certification in CSR by “professionals” is becoming the norm.695 The development of CSR

requires the full involvement of professionals at all levels and the shunning of “amateurism”.

This is easier said than done without an internationally recognised professional body.

Compulsory training of corporate managers in corporate ethics and social responsibility is

desirable.696 This training will be aimed at imbuing those that are responsible for making

694
No particular sanctions have been suggested here. In the case of Nigeria, low financial penalties for
MNCs will hardly be deterrent or sufficient punishment for breach of corporate governance codes.
695
Some of the prominent certificating organisations are The CSR Training Institute, International
Standards Organisation, and CSR International.
696
Entrants into many fields of endeavour are expected to undertake some formal training but this is
not so for new entrepreneurs. New company promoters are not required to undertake any training
themselves but made to rely on other professionals like lawyers and accountants. However, the
company shareholders and directors are ultimately responsible for the success or failure of their

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corporate decisions with a ‘conscience’ attuned to their social obligations beyond the keeping

of law and making profits.

8.2.3 International Non-Governmental Organisations

The major participants in the quest for the good practice of CSR in the international arena can

be grouped into two; the non-governmental international organisations and the international

states-subscribing institutions such as the UN and OECD. The direction of each group though

forging towards convergence will take different routes dues to their peculiar spheres of

influence and ‘comparative advantage’.697

The production of ratings and country reports exposing the degree of compliance by

corporations with industry codes is not novel. This scheme has been developed for CSR

practices of large corporations that display endorsements and achievements of standards by

rating organisations.698 However, by applying more stringent membership criteria,

organisations like EITI can influence corporations by leveraging on their already found fame

and acceptance.

8.2.4 International State Institutions

The is a consensus emerging globally that the notion of corporate responsibility and

sustainability must go beyond mere corporate rhetoric.699 Corporate behaviour must be seen

to be held to effective regulatory standards. At the level of multilateral and international

businesses. Undertaking short formal deontological training which stresses the social implications of
corporate existence is what is advocated here.
697
While CSOs can influence corporations using social pressure, states can pressure corporations
from a different angle using powers to control institutions like the Stock Exchange and other fiscal
instruments of the central bank. Quantitative easing has often been used for social ends by central
banks who encourage banks to lend in times of recession by manipulating the banks’ reserve levels.
698
See Steven Scalet and Thomas F. Kelly, ‘CSR Rating Agencies: What is Their Global Impact?’
(2010) 94 (1) Journal of Business Ethics 69.
699
The notion is echoed in most international events such as conferences on global decarbonisation,
environmental sustainability and climate change etc.

272
regional organisations, greater interest in CSR issues should be demonstrated. The decision of

the West African Court of Justice in SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria700 should

embolden the regional organisation to look further into CSR guidelines for setting regional

standards of corporate practices.701 Indeed, the criminalisation of health and safety failures

through corporate criminal liability legislation should be considered in international law due

to the rapid mobility of corporations and their transnational operative nature.

Collective action is encouraged on corporate behaviour that can have cross-border effect. In

Ghana, the so-called “Monsanto law” which will give the large corporations power over seed

distribution is cited in reference.702 Although this is a chiefly a matter for Ghana, the probable

implications should educe the interest of the regional body. States are increasingly facing

challenging issues collectively. With developmental challenges in education, food security,

social inequality and poverty, collective action in pursuing cross-border CSR practice and

regulatory framework may prove to be advantageous.

8.3 Recommendations: Nigerian Law

The historic failure of CSR programmes has been highlighted as the leading cause of unrest

especially in Southern Nigeria. To resolve the long-standing social development issues,

corporations, CSOs and the government must find credible ways of impacting social

development. The Federal Government of Nigeria is apparently toeing the path of mandating

700
SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ors., ECW/CCJ/APP/08/09 (JUDGMENT N°
ECW/CCJ/JUD/18/12) delivered 14 December 2012.
701
It is disturbing that there is no single regional CSR-specific instrument obtainable in the African
continent which is comparable to the EU Council Directive 2014/95/EU of 15 November
2014 amending Directive 2013/34/EU as regards disclosure of non-financial and diversity information
by certain large undertakings and groups OJ L330 or the UN Guiding Principles on Business and
Human Rights 2011.
702
Monsanto Company is a publicly traded American agricultural biotechnological company
established in 1901 and credited with developing genetically engineered (GE) seeds.

273
CSR by legislation as has already been introduced in one of the states. 703 The relevance of

developing Nigeria-centric CSR regulation cannot be neglected. The evolving diversification

of the economy into other sectors of the extractive industry such as mining of solid minerals

calls for a comprehensive and cohesive strategy to maximise favourable outcomes for

business-society relations.

However, it is pertinent to note that, the prevailing socioeconomic and political environment

in Nigeria cannot guarantee a positive outcome of legally mandating CSR. In order to

maximise the benefits of CSR and gain developmental milestones, some reforms need to be

implemented to create the ‘enabling environment’ for CSR practices.

8.3.1 Need for institutional reform

The institutions of state such as the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment charged

with the oversight of the business environment lack extensive corporate data and well-funded

research departments. Disappointingly, there is no publicly available policy, report or

position statement regarding CSR on the official website of the ministry. 704 Other important

departments that should have interest in CSR such as the Consumer Protection Council and

the Financial Reporting Council do not have any publicly available document setting out

policy on CSR. The low level of government interest in producing indigenous research in this

area - as demonstrated by the meagre information on their most widely and easily assessed

information portal - is highly regrettable.705

703
Corporate Social Responsibility Domestication Law 2015 of Cross River State of Nigeria.
704
See: Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment website; <http://www.fmiti.gov.ng/>
accessed 30 June 2016. It is also noteworthy that the government did not introduce any of the
Corporate Social Responsibility Bills between 2008 and 2015. They were all private member Bills.
705
A recent reports credits one of the largest technological companies as predicting a record number
of Nigerians to be internet-connected by 2020: See; Ozioma Ubabukoh, ‘Nigeria’s Internet traffic’ll
grow six-fold by 2020 — Cisco’ The Punch (25 July 2016)

274
8.3.2 Need for Public Consultations

It is further recommended that wide public consultations are held with open invitations to all

stakeholders to contribute to the reform and formulation process. A balance of competing

interests where identified is important for the wide acceptance of legislation and reform. The

participation of business and CSOs will ensure transparent accounting of divergent views and

ideologies. The initiative of the ThistlePraxis Consulting706 a private company which hosts

the African RoundTable and Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (AR-CSR™)

should be emulated.

8.3.3 Company Law and Corporate Governance Reforms

There are indications that the business community is embracing the stakeholder model of

CSR for some reasons; as a corporate reputation enhancement strategy, comparative

advantage and regulatory compliance. The prevailing paradigms of global codes have ensured

deep-rooted allegiance to the status quo and thus perpetuates the notion of philanthropism

which is wearing but gradually.707 Corporate law and governance reform may demand

resilient political will to accomplish but reform and vibrancy is required.

As Nicholas Eberstadt put it;

Were corporate leaders to review the past, they would see that today’s

corporate responsibility movement is neither the preaching of self-

appointed saviours nor the plotting of economic nihilists; it is a historical

swing to recreate the social contract of power with responsibility, and as

706
See ThistlePraxis Consulting Limited website: <http://www.thistlepraxisconsulting.com/>
accessed 30 June 2016.
707
Kishan Khoday, Vanessa Lamb, Tyler McCreary, Karin Mickelson, Usha Natarajan and Ileana
Porras, ‘Locating Nature: Making and Unmaking International Law: Introduction’ [2014] Leiden
Journal of International Law 27.

275
 such may well become the most important and welcomed reform of our

time.708

Considering, that the socio-cultural disposition of Nigerian indigenous businesses takes on

social responsibility obligations as a matter of course, I concur with this statement and urge

the appropriate reorientation of business and corporate law reform accordingly.

8.3.4 Need for Legislative Reform

The British Company Law Reform that ushered in the introduction of section 172 of the UK

Companies Act 2006 is an example of a non-confrontational introduction of CSR by

legislation. The wording of it does not suggest that it is to be applied by compulsion or

dismissed as irrelevant by company directors. The CAMA should be amended to reflect a

clear commitment to the future of business-society relations by making provision for CSR.

The rebranding of capitalism with such terms as ‘sustainable capitalism’, and ‘social

capitalism’, future corporate law legislation will likely continue to introduce social

responsibility for business in the fashion seen in Indonesia and India. I argue that it is the

need to preserve the capitalist economic system as the preferred means of organising the

factors of production that dictates the reform agenda in favour of CSR legislation. In view of

domestic and international occurrences, states – especially those of developing countries –

can dictate the role of legislation in delineating the responsibilities of corporations in order to

achieve set social objectives. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of individual states to

determine and pursue the realisation of social welfare in the public interest, in this regard

CSR can be augmentative.

708
Nicholas Eberstadt, ‘What History tells us about Corporate Social Responsibilities’ (1973) 7
Business and Society Review 76, 77.

276
8.4 Recommendations and Suggestions for Future Research

Research on CSR regulation in Nigeria has been mainly concentrated on the oil and gas

industry and the banking industry. It is further concentrated on large corporations without the

impact of smaller companies being measured. An economy-wide approach is required in the

form of multi-stakeholder cooperation to define CSR and sector-by-sector practices. Geoffrey

Lantos has suggested that in marketing transactions, “others who share collective

responsibility include competitors, who can blow the whistle on others in their industry who

they think are being socially irresponsible”.709 In Nigeria, it is suggested that the task of

holding corporations to account should not be left to government regulatory agencies or

CSOs only. Multi-stakeholder cooperation should be the foundation of any national CSR

policies. This is because the effect on stakeholder groups such as credit providers, employees,

customers, local communities, suppliers and interest groups can be more effective when all

sectors participate actively. Klaus Schwab710 observed that the world is “witnessing profound

shifts across all industries marked by the emergence of new business models, the disruption

of incumbents and the reshaping of production, consumption, transportation and delivery

systems”.711 The vigilance of all citizens is therefore imperative. Klaus also noted the positive

prospects of the fourth industrial revolution when he noted that the “new ways of using

technology to change behaviour and our systems of production and consumption also offer

the potential for supporting the regeneration and preservation of natural environments, rather

709
Geoffrey P. Lantos, ‘The Boundaries of Strategic Social Corporate Responsibility’ (2001) 18(7)
Journal of Consumer Marketing 595,622.
710
Professor Klaus Schwab is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum
which is attended by most world leaders in summits held in all regions of the world to discuss
emergent economic challenges and solutions to them.
711
Klaus Schwab, The Fourth Industrial Revolution (World Economic Forum 2016) 1.

277
than creating hidden costs of externalities”.712 Corporations themselves should therefore see

the cost benefit opportunities provided by imbibing strategic engagement of society.

Nigeria presents a unique and interesting research case study: this is because its political

structure has undergone dramatic changes. In the economy, a similarly dramatic history is

evident from its changing fortunes and emphasis from commodities export to crude oil.

Therefore, empirical research into practices of small and medium-sized businesses and

developing an indigenous CSR model as now being experimented in India will be highly

expository. Importantly, future research into corporate law should be engaged at a multi-

disciplinary level. The subject of CSR engages amongst other disciplines issues in sociology,

ecology, economics, management, and of course, international law. In future, this work can

form the foundations for a collaborative research in view of the overlapping subjects relating

to the social responsibility of business; business management, financial accounting and social

policy are interjection points for consideration.

Furthermore, concerning Nigeria in particular, the combined effect of the transcendence of

illiteracy, poverty, impunity by corporations aided by state agents with the non-justiciability

of the Fundamental Objective and Directive Principles of State Policy713, makes the

‘principles’ a fanciful provision to aggrandise the democratic ethos of the country since it is

perhaps illusory or elusive and at best merely aspirational. Future research can explore in

greater detail the value of this provision to the making of laws that promote social and

developmental objectives.

712
ibid 2.
713
This is contained in Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended)

278
8.5 Contribution to knowledge:

This work has enriched understanding of CSR theoretically by formulating a new definition

which deliberately recognises the impact of climate change on CDR discourse. The subject of

CSR necessarily should encompass all social issues both national and global in the context of

a particular community, state or the wider world.

It has been noted by many that there is a dearth of research into CSR in developing countries

and studies specialising in the development of the practice and law of CSR in Nigeria is not

an exception.714 The result of analysing the policy and legislation in Nigeria should contribute

to the available body of knowledge on contemporary CSR practices in Nigeria. Any

recommendations will assist companies conform and adapt to changing stakeholder issues

and interfacing civil society aspirations. This wok therefore, contributes to the law literature

on the subject of CSR in Nigeria and by implication the wider group of developing markets.

This research will be useful to regulators and policy makers who are contemplating

legislating CSR after the India and Mauritius models.715 This work should provide a guide to

policy makers and regulation framers by identifying underlying principles and assumptions

from which to build suitable CSR models. The importance of locating theoretical justification

is in gaining persuasiveness of critics of CSR and aligning them towards the acceptance of

regulation of CSR through legal mandation as a research-informed view.

It is hoped that this thesis will provide a rationale for corporations not to embrace CSR faute

de mieux, but in acceptance of the benefits of infusing sustainable production

practices and the use of alternative energy sources as part of contributing

714
As far as published books are concerned one of the few major works is Amao Olufemi, Corporate
Social Responsibility, Human Rights and the Law Multinational Corporations in Developing
Countries (Routledge 2011)
715
This research will, of course, be useful to those interested in Nigeria also.

279
meaningfully to the sustainability of not onl y their business and immediate

community but for the larger global society to which they belong.

David Kershaw noted, and I concur that;

More contemporary ideas of how to get the market to self-regulate focus

less on enabling market actors to create and enforce rules applicable to all

market actors, and more on facilitating pro-regulation norm formation

within the players themselves: within the cultures of the firms and within

the heads and identities of their managers and employees. If successful, this

is true self-regulation in the literal meaning of the term and external rules,

whether state- or market-controlled, become far less important as internal

firm norms ensure targeted behaviours.716

The objective off legislating CSR should therefore emphasise the thematic application of

society and environment considerations when making business decisions. CSR practitioners

will therefore benefit from the conclusions of this work in the determination of strategies to

complement developmental state programmes.

8.6 Final remarks

Archie B. Carroll predicts, and I agree, that:

More than likely, we will see new realms in which to think about businesses responsibilities

to our stakeholder society, particularly at the global level, and in new and emerging

technologies, fields, and commercial applications. In this context, it appears that the CSR

716
David Kershaw, ‘Corporate Law and Self-Regulation’ (2015) LSE, Law, Society and Economy
Working Papers 5/2015, 39. Available at: <https://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/law/wps/WPS2015-
05_Kershaw.pdf> accessed 20 October 2015.

280
concept has a bright future because at its core, it addresses and captures the most important

concerns of the public regarding business and society relationships.717

In the case of developing countries - Nigeria in particular – this statement cannot be truer.

The pressing issues of climate change, high population growth, technological advancement,

increasing literacy level of the population, possible steady economic growth and political

stability will likely conspire to instigate fundamental reform which will impel corporations to

take CSR even more seriously.

I therefore can predict with a degree of optimism that as verifiable evidence of the benefits of

mandating CSR in India, Mauritius and other countries emerge, it will suggest a strong

indication to other countries to take the path of legislating CSR.

Archie B. Carroll, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility: Evolution of a Definitional Construct’ (1999)

717

Business and Society 268, 292.

281
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