The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility of Telecommunication Companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Their Contribution to Development in …

This qualitative study aimed to assess people’s perceptions and views on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of telecommunication companies operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and their role in the country’s development in Kinshasa. In modern business practices, CSR calls for the local contribution of companies to the socioeconomic and environmental development of society. The concept and theory of the “Triple P,” which stands for “profit, people, planet,” summarizes the driving force behind the scientific theory of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) theory used in this study. The study inquiry asked the following two open-ended research questions: How do you describe the role of CSR in the DRC’s telecommunications sector? How do CSR obligations and regulations contribute to the DRC’s socioeconomic development in Kinshasa? The study addressed these research questions via interviews with 12 individuals representing a general population of the telecom industry’s subject matter experts in Kinshasa. Through qualitative open-ended questions, the study used the semi-structured interview technique to help better understand participants’ views and perceptions of CSR and its role in the country’s socioeconomic development. The study’s findings revealed that in the DRC, there is more to know about the TBL theory and CSR concept. The gap in the literature also showed a need for studies to assess companies’ contribution to the country’s development efforts.