Corporate social responsibility has expanded in the region in recent years and continues to offer a way for companies to support their community, build a socially-minded reputation, and strengthen employee commitment. Many companies in the Arab world have developed their own CSR programs or policies designed to direct some resources to specific social causes and those in need.

But does CSR really offer any added benefit to a company, and does it have a truly positive impact in the community?

The infographic below shows the findings of Bayt.com’s recent “Corporate Social Responsibility: Is Your Company Making an Impact?” survey which polled 10,754 respondents covering the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.

Highlights from the study include:

• 90% of polled professionals feel that the corporate sector in Middle East and North Africa has a moral responsibility towards CSR.
• Eight in 10 professionals in the region feel that CSR efforts are making a positive impact in the region.
• 73% of professionals in the region prefer volunteering time and effort, compared to 27% who prefer donating money.
• 95%of professionals feel it’s important that their company is socially responsible.
• 88% would favor products and services from a socially-conscious company.

Late last year, Fadi Ghandour announced the start of Corporate Entrepreneurship Responsibility (CER), a means by which corporations can give back to and support the region’s entrepreneurship ecosystems designed to empower whole economies by supporting innovators and new ideas. Learn more about CER in this post on Wamda.

Check out the infographic below for more details on CSR impact and perceptions in the region. Click on the graphic for a larger image.