Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) Initiatives in Developing Economies: Challenges Faced by Oil and Gas Firms in Ghana

The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges faced by oil and gas companies especially in developing economies as they engage in socially responsible investment (SRI) by delving into the context-specific challenges they encounter. This is important as these SRI initiatives are seen to augment the efforts of governments within these developing economies. The study uses the interpretive multiple case study approach in achieving the objective of this study. The results of the study suggest that not only do the cases face peculiar challenges; undue government interference and financial constraints. But that the government whose effort they augment (with their SRI initiative) is a source of challenge. The findings also give an indication that some internal stakeholders (staff) form powerful stakeholder group that compound the challenges in engaging in SRI.