In the Heart of the Storm: A Case of Al-Sabah’s Corporate Social Responsibility During the Syrian Refugee Crisis

Abstract

The impact of conflict and violence is not only limited to the conflict region itself, but it usually extends to neighboring countries and regions. The Syrian conflict is an example of border-sharing countries hosting a million refugees and re-adapting to the new situation. This case highlights the corporate social responsibility initiative of a Lebanese businessman and business owner in 2019. It explains how this businessman and his company reacted to the waves of Syrian refugees moving to his city in Lebanon. More particularly, it describes the pro-active reaction of the company during the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and how this reaction has transformed from a donation-based to business-based solution and rearranged its priority to help Syrian refugees. The philanthropic experience of the company before the refugee crisis was donation-dominated. The case also outlines the forms the company and its owner have designed to provide traditional aids (shelters, food, and clothes) and creating jobs for refugees. It shows the need to change the managerial behavior and perspectives due to the unusual situation of conflict. This situation has created a unique experience of corporate social responsibility in Lebanon as an example of a refugee-hosting country.

Citation

Aldairany, S., Omar, R. and Quoquab, F. (2023), "In the Heart of the Storm: A Case of Al-Sabah’s Corporate Social Responsibility During the Syrian Refugee Crisis", Quoquab, F. and Mohammad, J. (Ed.) Sustainability and Social Marketing Issues in Asia, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 101-115. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-845-620231007