ABSTRACT
Large multinational corporations (MNCs) support activities across the developed and developing world. They are often wealthier than the countries in which they operate. The corporate scandals of recent years have triggered a broad discussion on the role of business in society – its legitimacy, its obligations and its responsibilities, in both the developed and the developing world. While business engagement of MNCs in developing countries has a long tradition, it has not necessarily been for the benefit of local people as we know, e.g. from welldocumented cases such as the Nestlé milk powder scandal and Shell’s operations in Nigeria. The way business leaders think about their responsibilities in a connected world will have an impact on the quality of the outcomes and ultimately also the sustainability of any solutions for both the country and the poor (Pless & Maak 2009). This chapter looks at the traditional concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how MNCs contribute to the support of those at the bottom of the pyramid (BoP) in developing countries, and their role in the development of entrepreneurship.
