Exploring the CSR Leadership Competencies that contribute to successful sustainable development in South Africa

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved from ad-hoc giving towardsstrategic sustainable focus projects, with many organisations creating departmentsor CSR-focused positions. However, critiques abound regarding the sustainabilityof CSR projects aimed at social change and uplifting, and industry thought leadersacknowledge a skills shortage or deficit in South Africa. For sustainable CSR, it isnecessary to understand the competencies required by CSR professionals and howthe competencies contribute towards sustainable CSR. Thus, the study exploredwhat functional, social, and cognitive, competencies CSR professionals need tomanage and execute CSR initiatives for practical, sustainable development throughCSR, applying the holistic managerial competency model. Data was collectedthrough semi-structured face-to-face interviews, with 18 CSR professionals. Thestudy found that, in practice, CSR professionals employ various competenciesintegratively. Social competency elements that understand the context to navigatesocial dynamics and positively impact collaboration and cognitive competencieselements that support a development mindset in CSR are needed. Functionalcompetency elements enable managing projects, which supports the successfulexecution of projects and identifying value-creation opportunities for greater impact.Meta-competencies, like motivation, reflection, and perseverance, facilitate theapplication of these competency elements. The study found that collaborationcompetency was a common thread across competencies. The findings of this studyhave implications for organisations with CSR functions and CSR professionals. Itprovides a repository for CSR professionals of the competencies they already haveand need to develop. In addition, organisations can use the identified competencieswhen hiring and developing CSR professionals. The study recommends that ifsustainability is the focus of organisations, organisations in South Africa must drawtheir attention to intensifying collaboration efforts with a strategic developmentmindset for sustainable CSR