Ethical Dimensions Of Corporate Social Responsibility

In order for the future study to be relevant, a view need to be taken on the previous studies conducted on managerial perspectives and on sustainable development in Africa. According to the study of “Ethical considerations of corporate social responsibility - A South African Perspective” (Ackers, 2015), it was conceptualised that CSR was to be representing the fit between the expectations of society and the real ethics of business. The two dimensions were derived from this fit:

(i) Behavioural dimension - representing the fit between the expectations of society and the actions of business (company’s responses to social expectations).

(ii) Attitudinal dimension – reflected the fit between the expectations of society and management perspective

(i) Immoral managers – they are characterised by decisions, actions and behaviours that actively oppose what may be deemed as being right or ethical and thus making decisions that are incongruous with society’s acceptable ethical norms, and actively contradicting what may be considered moral (Ackers, 2015).

Regulations are regarded as an impediment to achieving objectives by immoral managers and usually exploit opportunities strategically for personal or corporate gain.

(ii) Moral Managers – they have ethical positions that comply with accepted societal norms of ethical behaviour. They often exemplify leadership on ethical issues and not only demonstrate high standards of professional conduct. Both the letter and the spirit of the law, regarding the law as the minimum acceptable ethical behaviour, preferring to perform well above the regulatory requirements is intended to be considered by the orientation. The decisions of moral managers are characterised by the sound ethical principles of justice, fairness, human rights, utilitarianism and due process without ignoring

This is not an inherently rational or logical process. It involves people making choices about how they build and exercise control over people and resources.”

In the study of “Manager’s Personal Values and CSR” (Hemingway & Maclagan, 2004), it was concluded that whilst CSR is most commonly explained in terms of strategic commercial interest of the organization, ( i.e the image and reputation management, the manipulation of stakeholders and the integration of the organisation into its host community) individual managers may initiate or change specific projects in order to address their personal moral concerns and thus making a difference in an organisation without a formally adopted CSR culture.

Individual discretion is the route through which personal values impact on CSR policies, permitting individuals to use their judgement and acting in an entrepreneurial manner (Hemingway & Maclagan, 2004).

As per the study by (Togo & Lotz-Sisitka, 2013) education system needs to play a significant role in sustainability, and the argument was if the education system is prepared to start with a questioning of the beliefs and values upon which it is founded (Togo & Lotz-Sisitka,