A Study on Corporate Social Responsibility Practices In Delbi Coal Mining Share Company A Case of Oromia Regional State, Jimma Zone, Dedo Woreda, Delbi Site

Abstract

This study was conducted to observe, identify, investigate, and explain the overall Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices in Delhi Coal Mining S. Co. which is located in Jimma zone, Dedo woreda and try to study its impact on the community and the operation area, through evaluating the company's CSR performance levels against the agreements made between the company and the concerned public authorities, identifying strength and weaknesses of the activities, and look for reasons of underperformance (if any) by the mining company with suggested possible measure for future improvement. To undertake the study quantitative and qualitative data from primary and secondary sources was collected from total of 68 participants categorized in to five groups which constitutes 2 company high level officials, 12 company employees, 5 members of the woreda investment & environmental protection board, 3 kebele administration office executives, and 46 displaced and to be displaced communities using observation, interview questionnaire, focus group discussion and company and other relevant documents which were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively depending on the nature of the data. Even though the company has showed willingness to incorporate CSR policies in its documents, and there was participants awareness regarding CSR issues, the analysis of the collected data revealed as that the company's CSR related activities were practically poor and even those performed relatively well were not implemented on voluntary bases, rather they were issues that were forced by law and mandatory for operation of the company. The reasons for underperformance of the company's CSR related activities were indicated as lack of coordination and awareness, poor control mechanism, profit orientated management, company officials turn over, and budgetary problems respectively where suggested remedies for future improvement includes Stakeholders smooth and continuous relationship, Time bounded work schedule, Societal involvement and creation of feeling of belongingness, Integrated and strong awareness program, and Government enforcement /intervention respectively.