Corporate Social Responsibility in the Formal Strategic Planning of South African Listed Companies

Manuscript type : paper Research aims : This study investigates the relationship between formal strategic planning and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the South African context, considering JSE-listed companies. Design/Methodology/Approach : This study employed multiple-scale items with a five-point Likert scale to measure CSR and formal strategic planning. A chi-square test was performed to test the significance of the relationship between the variables. Research findings : The analysis of all South African listed companies (i.e., JSE-listed companies) revealed that formal strategic planning is significantly associated with CSR, suggesting that CSR concerns are addressed during the formal strategic planning process. Theoretical contribution/Originality : The respondents are only limited to JSE-listed companies and the findings are related to the links only between formal strategic planning and CSR. Practitioner/Policy implication : The JSE is the largest stock exchange in Africa. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important for them to maintain their corporate reputation with stakeholders. Accordingly, addressing stakeholders' demand for CSR through the formal strategic planning process would benefit the organisation is vital. Originality/Value : This study contributes a deep intuitive knowledge of companies' perceptions of CSR demonstrations by considering formal strategic planning in the South African context.