Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Relations: A Study of Quarry Crushing Site, Okposi-Umuoghara Ezza, Ebonyi State

Abstract

This study investigated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Community Relations at the Okposi-Umuoghara quarry
crushing site located at Okposi community in Ezza North Local Government Area in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. It sought to
determine the extent the firms provide the host community with what they need to develop along with the company. Survey
design was adopted and data were gathered through questionnaire and structured interviews of major stakeholders. The
objectives were to identify CSR services existing at the quarry crushing sites at Okposi-Umuaghara, evaluate the relationship
between the Quarry crushing sites and the host communities and to discover how the sites solve the problems emanating from
host community. The study was anchored in Freeman Stakeholder Theory and Integrative Social Contract Theory' (ISCT).
The study revealed that the Okposi-Umuaghara quarry site does not deliver on its corporate social responsibilities though
there seem to be cordial relationship between the companies and the host community which the firms achieve by applying
good community relations strategies through constant persuasion to resolve any issue between them. It was recommended
that the quarry crushing sites should engage the services of a public relations consultant who will collaborate with the
community leaders to map out strategies to provide social amenities that will enhance the development of the business area
for the benefit of the host community. More so, government should collaborate with the firms to build health care facilities to
ameliorate the health hazards associated with the crushing sites.