n African Journal of Business and Economic Research - Sources of organisational legitimacy in the Nigerian telecommunications industry

Abstract

Examination of past literature suggests that sources of organizational legitimacy may vary among different institutional and cultural contexts. Further examination reveals that empirical studies on the subject have been carried out mainly in western environments. The study examines strategic conformity, corporate social responsibility and economic exchange as sources of normative legitimacy in the Nigerian telecommunications industry. The results reveal that economic exchange is a source of public endorsement, indicating that constituents may exchange endorsement of a firm for direct benefits. The study concludes that sources of normative legitimacy in the Nigerian telecommunications industry varies from those of the western context.