Community development by business enterprises is a crime prevention strategy that cannot be ignored. A case example where this strategy should be adopted is in developing countries that are exposed to a range of social and environmental challenges. Where failure to invest in host community development could highly lead to acts of hostility towards a business enterprise operating within that region.
To expound further on why social and environmental challenges would lead host communities to retaliate and associate in criminal activities targeting the business enterprise is the strain theory. The strain theory is used to explain crime motivation and states that certain strains or stressors increase likelihood of crime. These strains lead to negative emotions such as frustration and anger. These emotions create pressure for corrective action, and crime is one possible response. Crime may be used to reduce or escape from strain, seek revenge against the source of strain or related targets, or alleviate negative emotions. In this case a community host with high level of youth experiencing chronic unemployment may engage in theft, social engineering to compromise employees and other related criminal activities targeting the business enterprise within the region.
With the risks being apparent from the onset, it’s efficient and cost effective to build in and institute this security strategy at the early stage of advance planning. Advance planning should entail conducting a thorough risk assessment and an analysis of community development initiatives by similar business enterprises within the region.
The benefit of giving back not only acts as a risk reduction mitigation strategy but it also creates a symbolic relationship with a win/win outcome between the enterprise and the local host community. At the heart of this there should be an effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, encompassing stakeholders mapping and stakeholder engagement.
The benefits of community development as an enterprise CSR to reduce crime include the following:
- It enhances the reputation and brand image of a business enterprise within the host community.
- It attracts and retains employees from the host community.
- It attracts and retains investors who value these values.
- It attracts and retains customers which translates to brand loyalty and positive public image.
- It improves employee engagement. By giving employees the opportunity to get involved in charitable initiatives and causes that align with their values, business enterprises create a more meaningful and fulfilling work experience. Which translates to employee satisfaction and loyalty improving retention and reducing turnover.
- It improves business performance. By investing in initiatives that benefit the community and the environment business enterprises create a more positive and supportive business environment, which can lead to increased productivity and profitability.
- It provides the business enterprise with the opportunity to help create a more sustainable and social responsible business model that benefits both the company and the wider community thus making a positive impact.
Types of community development initiatives a business enterprise can consider to undertake include:-
- Partnerships – Partnering with a charity or non-profit that’s related to the business enterprise ensures you are working towards a brighter future on a consistent basis. Such partnerships lead to impactful community development projects such as enhanced infrastructure in form of roads, learning institutions, healthcare facilities, water sourcing and taping and much more.
- Sustainable measures – Taking sustainable measures, supporting renewable energy projects or environmental activities. Sustainable measures can include recycling and waste reduction. Renewable energy products can include making alternative and safer energy options such as bio-gas and much more. Whiles environmental activities can include plating trees in a deforestation initiative.
- Volunteering – This would help a business enterprises connect with host communities in a meaningful way. Volunteering would also give employees an extra sense of professional purpose while helping develop essential soft skills and improve team bonding. Types of volunteering can include offering help at local community events, scheduling and facilitating health and medical awareness camps and much more.
- Improving and enhancing workplace policies – This would help create a positive internal culture as it would be intended to improve the employees’ health and wellbeing translating to a positive impact on the business. Work place policies can include diversity and inclusion, internal values, social and team bonding, benefits and incentives and fitness and wellbeing. Some activities and initiatives to look at can include:-
- Extended parental leave and leave for culture or religious purposes
- Regular social activities and team bonding activities and events.
- Creating a more open and inspirational work space
- Planning initiatives and activities that significantly benefit the health and wellbeing of employees
What not to do when creating a community development initiative to reduce crime.
- A business enterprise should not choose unrelated community development initiatives. It should avoid participating in charitable efforts that are not related to its core business focus, or violate their ethical standards in any way.
- A business enterprise should not use community development initiatives for marketing purposes. Because a quick marketing scheme can backfire if the business does not follow through. Employees and the host community react positively to business enterprises that embrace long-term social responsibility.