DIGITAL DISLOCATION AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AMONG SELECT MULTINATIONAL IN RIVERS STATE: ADAPTATIONS AND GRATIFICATIONS

Abstract

The study thrust was anchored on the need to provide a scientific explanation of the adaptations and gratifications among select multinational companies (Renaissances Africa Energy Company Limited and TotalEnergies) in Rivers State in their practice of corporate social responsibility in the era of digital dislocation. The objectives among others bordered on the need to examine the nature and impact of digital dislocations on the operations strategies of select multinational corporations in Rivers State. Above all, the study anchored its theoretical framework on Stakeholder Theory by Freeman (1984) and Uses and Gratifications Theory by Elihu Katz, Jay Blumler and Michael Gurevitch (1974). A mixed methods research design was adopted, combining interview sessions with the senior community relations managers of the select companies and a survey of the stakeholders of the host communities in Rivers State. The study gathered its data for interview sessions using interview guide while a structured questionnaire was administered to elicit responses from the stakeholders of the host communities. The study found that digital dislocation significantly reshaped operational strategies, compelling multinational companies to adopt innovative CSR initiatives such as digital literacy programmes, environmental sustainability projects, and employee welfare schemes. The study recommends among others that multinationals institutionalize adaptive CSR framework that integrates digital inclusion, continuous stakeholder dialogue, and resilience-building strategies.