Corporate Social Responsibility in Healthcare: A case of Islamic Banks (IBs) in Bangladesh

Abstract

Healthcare is a fundamental necessity for any society. In Bangladesh, banks have increasingly engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, with Islamic banks (IBs) playing a significant role in contributing to the healthcare sector. The main objective of this study is to investigate the CSR practices of Islamic banks in healthcare during the period 2010–2015.

The study adopts a content analysis methodology to systematically and objectively examine the websites and annual reports of Islamic banks, along with relevant publications from the central bank of Bangladesh. The findings indicate that Islamic banks have been actively involved in healthcare initiatives, with their contributions increasing significantly over time.

However, the results also reveal that among all Islamic banks, Islamic Bank Bangladesh Limited has made the most substantial contribution to healthcare-related CSR activities. These contributions include the establishment of hospitals, organization of health camps, provision of medical assistance, and support for maternal and neonatal care.

This study contributes to the existing literature on CSR practices in the banking sector and provides a foundation for future research in this area.