Drivers and Barriers to Corporate Social Responsibility in the MENA Region: A Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has grown in importance for businesses that are based in emerging economies. How and why organizations adopt CSR practices varies from one country to another and from one culture to another due to the contexts of their institutions and cultures. This research aims to identify and synthesize the main reasons or actions that promote or impede CSR adoption across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries.

Methods: This research was completed using a systematic review of the literature; relevant studies were gathered from major U.S. university academic databases and preliminary searches were conducted to determine if the studies collected met the systematic review’s inclusion criteria. A total of 31 articles were selected for further review. Thematic analysis was performed in order to identify the dominant themes that comprise CSR in MENA region.

Results: The results suggest that the main drivers of CSR adoption include institutional pressures, stakeholder expectations, reputation and international market pressures. The results also indicate that there are barriers to CSR adoption, such as ineffective enforcement of regulatory controls, low levels of awareness of the benefits of CSR among executive management, limited access to funding for CSR initiatives, and cultural interpretations of the meaning of CSR, which have focused the definitions of CSR on philanthropy rather than strategic sustainability.

Conclusion: The research adds to the body of literature about CSR by providing a structural synthesis of CSR in the MENA region and identifying gaps for future research.