Corporate Social Responsibility of Universities: Exploring the University of Cape Coast's Version Towards Her Surrounding Communities

ABSTRACT This study explores the corporate social responsibility of a Ghanaian university towards her surrounding communities within 60 years of providing higher education. The interpretivist philosophical position and the qualitative approach were adopted for this study. Specifically, the study used the multiple‐case study design to collect data from 32 respondents through 24 individual interviews and eight focus group discussions, as well as semistructured observation guides. Thematic analysis was deployed to analyse the gathered qualitative data. The study found that corporate social responsibilities undertaken by the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, in its surrounding communities covered areas such as education, employment, health and security. However, interaction with the surrounding communities revealed that the CSRs appeared not to be effective, adequate and responsive to their needs. The study further found that though CSR could lead to a cordial relationship between the two entities, this was not the case due to the perceived ineffective, inadequate and irresponsive CSR of the university towards the surrounding communities. Finally, the findings showed that the surrounding communities expected the University to support them through the provision of school blocks and computers for their basic schools, public toilets and markets, street lights, provision of fully furnished CHPS compounds and health education. It was, therefore, recommended that the University management should come up with a clear policy that distinguishes between CSR for the surrounding communities and the general public in terms of education, health, security and community development, among others. Please refer to the section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.