Poverty Alleviation: Corporate Social Responsibility Approaches by Multinational Corporations in Lao PDR and Thailand

Poverty has long been an endemic problem in developing countries. The role of multinational corporations (MNCs) in fostering or undermining development within poor local communities in developing countries has been a subject of intensive debate within academic and practitioner circles. This paper explores the contribution to poverty alleviation from MNCs in two South East Asian countries, Lao PDR and Thailand, in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The focus of this research is on the nature and types of CSR activitiesin through which MNCs attempt to (1) create social engagement among local actors and, (2) fight poverty and improve living conditions in both locations. The results identify three key themes: (1) economic contribution and poverty alleviation, (2) social development and poverty alleviation, and (3) human rights and poverty alleviation. Data also elucidate both similarities and differences in approaches by MNCs, roles they play in developing countries, patterns of CSR strategies and challenges from the host countries in conducting poverty alleviation activities.