IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF BRITISH-AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY‟s (BATC‟s) CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON SABON-GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF KADUNA STATE (2000-2014)

IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF BRITISH-AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY‟s (BATC‟s) CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON SABON-GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF KADUNA STATE (2000-2014)

Abstract:

Industrial societies are changing in an unprecedented speed due to the activities of Multinational Corporations (MNCs). MNCs are in the middle of a contending debate about their activities, most especially in the Less Developed Countries. The Neo-Liberal scholars believed that MNCs provide lots of benefits to the host community, most especially in the aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility like the provision of scholarship scheme, basic social amenities etc. while the Dependency school of thought believed that the disadvantages of MNCs operating in their host communities outweigh the advantages or the benefits. In this regard, the problematic of this research is to assess the impact of the British American Tobacco Company (BATC) in the aspect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from year 2000 when the Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC) became BATC, to the year 2014 when they stopped production in Zaria and downsized. The reason for this research is in an attempt to understand why despite effort by MNCs to contribute to CSR in the area of operation, there is still agitation and restiveness between the host community and the MNCs. The study adopted Dependency Theory as a framework for analysis. Relevant data were collected using the instrumentality of both secondary and primary sources. Survey and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) methods were used to obtain relevant information. The study area location was considered prior to the period or scope of study (before year 2000) when the company was known as NTC; this formed the baseline data. The research revealed that BATC Zaria has performed below expectation in terms of its duties and responsibilities as a MNC in providing basic social amenities, and has not contributed to any meaningful development of its host community. As such, the people of the host community are not generally satisfied with the performance of BATC as they feel neglected by both government and the company, that the government and the company do not work with their consent and in their own interest, and they have not been carried along, thereby depriving and denying them of some benefits meant for the community. We however recommend that government should find a way to compel firms to do more for the society in which they operate; this will help reduce conflict and give the firm a better image.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF BRITISH-AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY‟s (BATC‟s) CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ON SABON-GARI LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF KADUNA STATE (2000-2014)

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