Sustainability Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (SPME): A necessity in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in India

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to present the findings on programme sustainability and also suggest the indigenous Sustainability Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation framework for corporates in India.
Design/methodology/approach: The paper explains the importance of sustainability in CSR programme planning and implementation. For this purpose primary and secondary data are used. The secondary data was collected from different online and offline sources whereas the primary data was collected through semi-structured interview schedule.
Findings: The findings suggest that the involvement of the people in CSR programmes is limited and they have become the passive recipient of the services offered to them under CSR. Therefore, an Indian version of Sustainability Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (SPME) Index is proposed at the end of the study, for ensuring programme sustainability in CSR.
Research limitations/implications: Programme sustainability is important if any programme is intended to deliver meaningful services to the beneficiaries and future researches shall focus on this aspect. The companies under study do not wish to disclose their name is the limitation of this study.
Practical implications: The findings of the study and the SPME index can be incorporated in the CSR initiatives for its meaningful implementation.
Social implications: This research paper will help in depicting the actively involvement of the community for sustainability of the CSR initiatives.
Originality/value: The programme sustainability is vital for ensuring the people are involved in their own development and corporates will integrate the same in their CSR initiatives.