Corporate Social Responsibility in Mauritius

Mauritius is an independent nation, a small island economy located in the Indian Ocean, off the South East Coast of Africa. Tourism, financial services, textile and sugar are central to its economy. Recent development strategies adopted by the government, with respect to corporate social responsibility (CSR), seek to ensure long-term growth and competitiveness of the Mauritian economy, while also addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This chapter reports on a mixed methods study which explores recent CSR trends in Mauritius, and seeks to expand the extant literature by providing insights from current practices in Mauritian organisations. The chapter first provides an overview of the concept of CSR as it is perceived and understood by the stakeholders involved in the local business environment. This is followed by a description of trends relating to the evolution of CSR. An assessment of the quality of the reports from a chosen sample of businesses is then reported using the Haqbek and Wolniak (Quality & quantity 50:399–420, 2016) framework. The various factors that emerged during analysis are discussed in the light of previous research in the field. Some insights into CSR initiatives being pursued by companies in Mauritius are provided, along with potential for future research. Ultimately, CSR is a growing practice in Mauritius, reinforced by the political and regulatory frameworks.