Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Texas at Dallas, 2008. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 152-162)

Thesis (D.M.)--University of Phoenix, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Pittsburgh, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Capella University, 2006. / Adviser: James Krolik. Includes bibliographical references.

Zugl.: München, Techn. Univ., Diss., 2010

Zugl.: Berlin, Humboldt-Univ., Diss., 2008.

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / Currently, some microfinance institutions in Bolivia are adopting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and publish the results. CSR is applied mostly by big companies in the North and in sectors more in the eye of the public, such as oil production or textile and apparel. Bolivia has been the pioneer in the commercialization of microfinance through microfinance NGO transformations. The objectives of this investigation was to asses and compare the reasons why the selected Bolivian commercial MFI's were engaged, or not engaged, in CSR. Secondly, to determine which stakeholders are more relevant for each MFI analysed, assessing how they influenced the decision to adopt or not adopt CSR and thirdly, to compare the current social performance of the selected MFI's within the framework of corporate social responsibility. / South Africa

The 2002 publication of “The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid” by Prahalad and Hart posed a proposition to multinational companies (MNCs) stating that huge profits can be made whilst simultaneously eradicating poverty by selling to the poor at the base of the economic pyramid (BOP) which is an untapped market consisting of more than four billion potential customers that earn less than $2 per day. Although very few researchers and authors actually dispute the reality of the opportunity presented by the BOP proposition, most are quick to point out discrepancies in some of the arguments, discussions, assumptions and conclusions made from the early publications. Most of these differences of opinion can be clarified by refining the definition of the BOP proposition. This study reviews previous literature to identify key attributes of BOP before utilising a meta-analysis of 43 cited BOP case studies to identify and describe two distinctly different market segments within BOP. BOP1 was defined as the bottom part of the BOP with a total population 2.8 billion customers earning less than $2 per day while BOP2 would be the reminder of the BOP market segment. Finally the BOP1 and the BOP2 segments of BOP are compared and contrasted with a South African case to draw conclusions on BOP in SA and Africa. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The purpose of this exploratory research is to explore the nature of socially responsible investment (SRI) activity in South Africa. More especially, and on the back of the reported success of private equity in South Africa, the study seeks to establish the potential of a social private equity investment model as a subset of SRI? The study interviewed twelve investment professionals using in-depth semi¬structured interviews. The study found that, contrary to what the literature had revealed about trends in the UK and the US,. the respondents had a more cohesive understanding of what characterised SRI activities. The study also confirmed developed market trends that scepticism about the commercial value offered by SRI activities still prevailed among investors. The study further revealed that a great deal of effort was being channelled towards the development of best-in-class measurement tools to measure and report on social value added, even by those who did not view themselves as being active in the SRI arena. Although still in its embryonic stage, respondents were found to be very positive about the potential for social private equity within the SRI arena. The research makes recommendations that speak to the urgent need for improved and increased industry engagement on ways to develop the sector, as well as ways to market and increase the profile of the efforts and successes already achieved on both financial and social aspects. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Companies spend substantial funds on CSI initiatives. Expenditure of such large amounts could hold benefits for companies that go beyond their regulatory compliance. This study focused specifically on how CSI impacted on consumer loyalty at the bottom of the pyramid. The research found that CSI has no direct impact on loyalty and that consumers value the quality of service received more highly than CSI activities by companies. Even in instances where CSI awareness was low, consumers were still willing to recommend the company to others. Some of the research espoused the view that this may be because consumers experienced no direct benefit from the CSI activity. The findings also suggested that at the bottom of the pyramid consumers place a substantial emphasis on building relationships of trust and just because companies invest in CSI activities, this does not on its own lead to consumers trusting the organisation more. The implications of these findings are that when companies try to develop a competitive advantage through CSI, they need to re-examine their CSI spend as well as re-evaluate whether individuals or communities benefit as this has implications for individuals’ loyalty to the company. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted