Abstract:

Several studies have proposed a one-size fit all approach to Corporate Social Responsibility, such that CSR as it applies to developed countries is adapted to developing countries, ignoring the differing institutional environments (such as the regulative, economic, social and political environments). Developing countries are challenged with several institutional challenges, that hinder the profitability of businesses operating in them, however, the weak governing system in these countries are not able to solve these challenges, it thus becomes imperative for business operating in these societies to attempt to fill these institutional gaps. Following the works of Porter and Kramer (2011), CSR as it applies to filling institutional gaps in developing countries, was categorized into four themes: environmental protection, product and service innovation, social innovation and local cluster development.  Based on the four themes, the study employed a qualitative research approach through the use of interviews and review of available publications to study the influence of institutional environments on the corporate social responsibility practices engaged in by three (3) renewable energy firms operating in Nigeria, thereby proposing four hypotheses.