CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AS STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TOOL BY ZENITH BANK PLC, NIGERIA

The paper examines the meaning of the concept of corporate social responsibility and how it is being deployed as a strategic management tool, using Zenith Bank Plc as a case study. The study is qualitative in both theoretical and empirical method. It begins with a discussion of the definitions and conceptualization of CSR, amongst others, examining how the meaning of the concept has evolved over the decades and the various arguments for and against its relevance. The paper then delves into the relationship between CSR concept, its variants and as strategic community development tool in Nigeria. It succinctly examines how Zenith Bank uses CSR or sustainability to address and solve emerging issues in relation to its various stakeholders including employees, customers, suppliers, government and the host community, amongst others.