An Assessment of the Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on the Planning and Implementation of Real Estate Development in the Port Harcourt Metropolis

Abstract

In recent times, the failure of most Real Estate development in the Port Harcourt Metropolis could be attributed to the developers' poor implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility. This study, therefore, examines the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility of Real Estate Development within the Port Harcourt metropolis, such as the Rivtaf Golf Estate, on host communities - Okuru-Ama Community, Port Harcourt Local Government Area. The study adopts a quantitative approach enabled by survey research, as data for the study were collected through primary and secondary sources. Due to the concise nature of the study area, a total of seventy (70) questionnaires were judgementally selected as the sample size. These questionnaires were administered, filled out and returned by respondents from the Okuru Ama Community and some Rivtaf Golf Estate staff members. Field data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS) version 22, and results were displayed in descriptive and inferential statistics in addition to the Relative Importance Index (RII). Available results indicate that Rivtaf Golf Estate has a good relationship with its host community and adheres strictly to its Corporate Social Responsibilities, significantly impacting Real Estate Development. The result further revealed that Rivtaf Golf Estate provides employment opportunities to some indigenes of the Okuru Ama community, makes contributions to the community scholarship purse, maintains the primary access road to the Estate through the community and sometimes sends Christmas packages to the community. The study recommends that there should be effective implementation of corporate social responsibility entered with host communities. Real Estate Developers should be socially responsible and sensitive to the interests of various stakeholders, especially the host community, by caring about the environment, community welfare and society in general.