The Effect of Stakeholders Engagement on Corporate Social Responsibility Project Sustainability in Niger Delta

Abstract The engagement of stakeholders affects project outcome hence it is believed that when the stakeholders has a stake in the corporate social responsibility process that the project will meet its set objectives and be sustainable. The objective of the study was to establish the effect of stakeholders engagement on corporate social responsibility projects in Niger Delta. Stakeholders engagement focused on inclusion on project identification, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation. The guiding framework of the study was anchored on the theory of system, stakeholders theory and contingency theory. The study methodology involve literature review and multiple case study of corporate social responsibility projects carried out by oil and gas Companies in Niger Delta region. Data was collected and analyzed thematically. The finding of the study revealed that the stakeholders were involved in the determination of the project site. there was consultation in determining the the site of the Corporate social responsibility project, timelines were agreed upon by the stakeholders, funds were released based on progress made and there were regular site visit. Also, it was revealed that stakeholders engagement in project identification, project planning, project implementation, project monitoring and evaluation contributes to sustainability of corporate social responsibility projects in Niger Delta. From the findings it was concluded that increased engagement of stakeholder in every aspect of corporate social responsibility project process enhanced the project sustainability. Based on the finding it is recommended that the stakeholders particularly the beneficiary should be included in all aspect of the project.