ABSTRACT
The study aimed at
examining the influence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of
Hotels on socioeconomic development of host communities in Umuahia
Metropolis. Specific objectives of the
study were to; ascertain the influence of provision of social amenities,
community relations programmes, volunteering activities, and humanitarian
efforts the development of host communities. The study adopted the survey
research design. The population was unknown. A sample size of 384 was used. The
results revealed that: provision of social amenities, community relations
programmes, volunteering activities, and humanitarian efforts of the hotels had
significant relationships with the development of host communities. This study
concluded that CSR programmes of the hotels, can be used in socio-economic
development of the community residents, and also used to address many issues
and challenges impeding on development of the host communities. The study
recommended among others that the hotels should be encouraged to complement the
effort of the government in alleviating the suffering of the local residents in
the host communities through the provision of basic amenities, community
relations programmes, volunteering activities, and humanitarian efforts in
order to enable the general improvement of the host communities and in turn,
improve the image of the hotels.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page - - -
- - - - -
- - i
Certification - -
- - - - -
- - - ii
Approval Page - -
- - - - -
- - - iii
Dedication - - -
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- - iv
Acknowledgements - - -
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- v
List of Tables - -
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- - - x
List of Figures - -
- - - - -
- - - xi
Abstract - - -
- - - - -
- - xii
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the
Study - - - - - -
- - 1
1.2 Statement of the
Problem - - - - - -
- - 7
1.3 Objectives of the
Study - - - -
- - -
- 10
1.4 Research
Questions - - - - -
- - -
- 11
1.5 Research
Hypotheses - - - -
- - -
- 12
1.6 Scope of the
Study - -
- - - - -
- 13
1.7 Significance of
the Study - - - -
- - -
- 13
1.8 Definition of
Terms - -
- - - - -
- 14
CHAPTER TWO REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Introduction
- -
- - - - -
- - 23
2.2 Review of
Concepts - - - -
- - -
-
2.2.1 Hotel
Industry in Nigeria
2.2.2 Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria - -
- 23
2.2.3 Development in Rural Communities - - -
- -
- 32
2.2.4 Social Amenities and Rural Community Development 34
2.2.5 Community Relations - - - - -
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2.2.6 Volunteering and
Community Development - - -
- 37
2.3 Theoretical Review - -
- - - - -
- 43
2.4. Empirical Studies
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- - - - -
- 54
2.5. Proposed
Conceptual Framework - - -
- - - 54
CHAPTER THREE METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
- -
- - - - -
- - 10
3.2 Research Design -
- - - - -
- - -
10
3.3 Sources of Data -
- - - - -
- - -
10
3.4 Area of the Study
- - - - - -
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13
3.5 Population of the
Study - - - -
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- 13
3.6 Sample Size
Determination - - -
- - -
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14
3.7 Data Collection
Instruments - - - - -
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-
16
3.8 Validity of the
Research Instrument - - - - -
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16
3.9 Reliability of the Instrument - - - - - -
-
17
3.10 Method of Data
Analysis - - - -
- - -
- 17
CHAPTER FOUR DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1
Introduction
- -
- - - - -
- - 11
4.2 Presentation and
Interpretation of Data - - - -
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11
4.3 Testing of
Hypotheses - - - -
- - -
- 13
4.4. Discussion of Findings and Implications - - -
- - - 13
CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
- -
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- - 14
5.2 Summary of
Findings - - - -
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- 14
5.3 Conclusion - -
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- 14
5.4 Recommendations
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- - - - -
- 14
5.5 Contributions to
knowledge - - - - -
- - - 14
5.5. Suggestions for Further Studies - - - - -
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- 15
Bibliography
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- - 15
Appendix
I - -
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- - 16
Appendix
II - -
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- - 16
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| LIST
OF TABLES
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Table 4.1
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Questionnaire
Distribution/Return Response Rate - - - -
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11
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Table 4.2:
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Descriptive Statistics of the
Respondents - - - -
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11
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Table 4.3:
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Responses on the
social amenities provided by the hotels and the
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development of the host communities - - - - -
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11
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Table 4.4:
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Responses on the
community relations programmes of the hotels and the
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development of host communities -
- - - - -
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11
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Table 4.5:
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Responses on the
hotels' volunteering activities and the development of
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host communities - - - -
- - - -
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11
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Table 4.6:
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Responses on the
effect of the humanitarian activities of the hotels on the
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development of host communities - -
- - - -
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11
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Table 4.7:
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Correlations results
between Hotels Social Amenities and Development of
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Host Communities - -
- - - - -
-
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11
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Table 4.8:
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Correlations results
between Hotels Community Relations Programmes
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and Development of Host Communities - - - - -
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11
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Table 4.9:
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Correlations results
between Hotels Volunteering Activities and
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Development of Host Communities - - - - - -
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11
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Table 4.10:
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Correlations results
between Hotels Humanitarian Activities and
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LIST OF FIGURE
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Development of Host Communities - - - - - -
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12
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Figure 2.1: Proposed Conceptual Model of the Study 11
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of
the Study
Nigeria
is Africa's most populated nation, with an estimated 200 million people.
Despite its prominence as an oil producer, the country continues to be poor
despite its huge population and abundant natural resources (Raimi, Bello &
Mobolaji, 2010). According to a Brookings Institution research, Nigeria has
overtaken China as the nation with the highest proportion of very impoverished
individuals. Previously, India held the top spot with a population of 1.324
billion, followed by Nigeria with a population of 200 million. Additionally,
Nigeria's severe poverty rate is rising at a six-person-per-minute clip, while
India's poverty rate is declining (Vanguard, 2018). Nigeria has some of the
worst socioeconomic figures in the world: one out of every five children dies
before they reach the age of five, 12 million children are out of school, and
almost two million children are orphaned due to AIDS. Poverty, coupled with infrastructure
deterioration, insufficient agricultural supply distribution, and the resultant
high pricing, are hindering development, especially in Nigeria's rural regions.
Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept that argues that companies should
consider society's interests by taking responsibility for the impact of their
activities on consumers, employees, shareholders, communities, and the general
environment in which they operate. Apart from a company's or organization's
legal duty to obey the law, corporate social responsibility includes voluntary
actions to enhance the quality of life for workers, local communities, and
society as a whole (Uzoagu,2015, Chandler,2011, Lee, 2008). Businesses are under
growing pressure to address social problems affecting workers, stakeholders,
society, the environment, and government, regardless of their contribution to
the production of jobs, money, goods, and services (Adegboyega and Mafimisebi
2011; Sharma and Devi, 2009; Baron, 2011).
Due
to the vital role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on organizations
financial performance (Ghaderi, Mirzapour, Henderson, & Richardson, 2019;
Rhou, Singal, & Koh, 2016; Ribeiro, Pinto, Silva, & Woosnam, 2017) and
stakeholders' attitudes and behaviors (Boğan, Calışkan, & Dedeoğlu, 2018;
Kim, Rhou, Uysal, & Kwon, 2017) many hotels have been focusing on their
environmental, social and economic social responsibility in their strategy (De
Grosbois, 2012; Levy & Park, 2011). One of the key stakeholder of each
hotel is the host community whose perception toward hotels such as hotels
social responsibility practices can affect not only their attitude and behavior
but also tourists’ experience. So, it is vital for tourism developers to
understand the effect of residents’ perception toward hotel social
responsibility on residents’ attitude and behavior regarding tourism
development (Sorkhan, et al., 2020).
As
tourism development may have an impact on host country in negative way (Gursoy,
Ouyang, Nunkoo, & Wei, 2018) One of the predominant goal of sustainable
development of tourism is to minimize tourism negative impacts and improve
residents' community satisfaction (Numanoğlu & Güçer, 2018). Achievement to
this goal needs the attention of all stakeholders to corporate social
responsibility initiatives (Bhattacharya, Korschun, & Sen, 2009; Chin,
Chin, & Wong, 2018; Yuen, Wang, Wong, & Zhou, 2018). One of these main
stakeholders is private sector such as hotels which their corporate social
responsibility activities are critical for success of boarder corporate social
activities in a macro level (Gursoy et al., 2019; Hall, 2011). Therefore, this
study will assess the effect of hotels' CSR activities on host communities in
Umuahia Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of
the Problem
There
are several reasons why it is inevitable for hotel businesses to practice CSR
and be conscious concerning the interest of the crucial shareholders. To
continue being competitive, hotels understand that they need to consider social
responsibility, thus meeting the prospects of the communities, business partners,
customers, employees, and investors (Ghaderi et al., 2019). The hospitality
sector, given its great footprint both with regards to employment and natural
resources consumption such as energy, water, and food, has frequently been at
the front of employing practices geared towards lessening the adverse effects
of its operation upon society.
Although
corporate social responsibility concept gain attention in tourism literature
(e.g, (Kim & Lee, 2018; Su, Huang, & Huang, 2018)), a few researches
concentrate on the effect of hotel social responsibility on host communities’
attitude and behavior (Boğan et al., 2018; Su et al., 2018; Su., Wang, Law, Chen,
& Fong, 2017). Social responsibility of each tourism destination is refer
to the mutual principles of different contributors to attend socially
responsible movements (Su et al., 2018) which can affect residents’ community
satisfaction in positive way (Gursoy et al., 2019; Kim & Lee, 2018; Su et
al., 2018). So, hotels corporate social responsibility practices have an effect
on locals’ attitude and behavior regarding tourists, improving tourists
experience (Gursoy et al., 2019). Although corporate social responsibility
practices including economic, social and environmental CSR initiatives of all
stockholders, this study concentrate on hotels’ corporate social responsibility
based on their importance for shaping tourists and locals’ attitude regarding tourism
development.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The main objective
of the study is to assess the effect of hotels ‘CSR activities on host
communities in Umuahia Metropolis. Specifically, the study strives to:
1. Examine the effect of social amenities
provided by the hotels on the development of the host communities.
2. Assess the influence of community
relations programs of the hotels on the development of the host communities.
3. Examine the effect of volunteering
activities of the hotels on the development of host communities.
4. Determine the effect of humanitarian
activities of the hotels on the development of host communities.
1.4 Research
Questions
Based on the objectives of the study, the
following questions are postulated:
1. To what extent has social amenities
provided by the hotels impacted on the development of host communities?
2. To what degree has community relations programs
of the hotels impacted on the development of host communities?
3. To what degree has the hotels'
volunteering activities impacted on the development of host communities?
4. What impact does the humanitarian
activities of the hotels have on the development of host communities?
1.5 Research
Hypotheses
The following Null hypotheses were
tested in order to accomplish the study's objectives:
1. Social
amenities provided by the hotels have no significant influence on the
development of the host communities.
2. Community relations programs of the
hotels have no significant relationship with the development of the host
communities.
3. Volunteering activities of the hotels
have no significant relationship with the development of the host communities.
4. Humanitarian activities of the hotels
have no significant relationship with the development of the host communities.
1.6 Scope
of the Study
The scope of this study covers the CSR efforts of the hotels in Umuahia
Metropolis, as well as the socioeconomic development of host communities. The
CSR efforts covered are: social amenities, community relations, volunteering,
and humanitarian activities (Independent Variables). Meanwhile, socioeconomic
development of the host communities serves as the dependent variable.
1.7 Significance
of the Study
The significance
of this research may be evaluated from two perspectives: academic and
professional. This study will assist hotel managers in Umuahia Metropolis to
have a better knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and host
community socio-economic development on a professional level. It will provide
policymakers and hoteliers with knowledge about community development
indicators to utilize in developing CSR policies. Additionally, it will
increase awareness of the effect of hotels' CSR programs on host community
development. The research will also assist the broader public get a better
understanding of hotels contributions to host community development.
Academically, this
research will contribute to the growing body of knowledge on hospitality and
tourism, corporate social responsibility, and host community development, as
well as serve as a repository of material for future researchers.
1.8 Operational
Definition of Terms
1.
Community Development: This comprises capacity development
(increasing one's ability to act), social capital development (enhancing one's
ability to act), and outcome development (improving one's ability to act)
(Community improvements).
2.
Volunteering: involvement of staff of the hotels in community
services, such as health related awareness, environmental sanitation, and
awareness on social and economic issues.
3.
Social amenities: provisions of infrastructure to
alleviate the sufferings of the local residents in the host communities such as
portable water, health facilities, roads, power, etc.
4.
Humanitarian effort: this involves the activities of the
hotels seeking to promote human welfare in the host communities, such as
provision of relief materials during major disaster, palliatives to the local
residents.
5.
Community
Relations: A
deliberate effort and planned programme that organization(s), group(s),
individual(s) embark on to maintain a good relationship with the local
community. These include: supporting local tourism and hospitality development,
purchasing locally, employing local people, etc.
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