Corporate social responsibility of the Port of Béjaïa and its contribution to a sustainable Coastal City

Abstract

Enterprises operating in complex and dynamic environments strive for high performance to create value for investors, customers, suppliers, employees, and all stakeholders, while ensuring a balance between economic growth and social and environmental responsibilities. One approach to achieving this balance is to reassess corporate performance by integrating environmental and social dimensions through voluntary practices. This study, in light of the increasing interest and new orientation of economic enterprises, focused on shedding light on one of the Port Enterprises in Algeria, which is the Port Enterprise of Béjaïa, as it has undergone significant transformations since 2000 that had an impact and repercussions on its economic, social, and environmental development. We sought, through this study, to clarify the role of the Port Enterprise of Béjaïa (EPB) in building a sustainable coastal city by adopting a corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, implemented through an integrated management system (IMS). Using a case study approach, it became clear to us that this system enabled it to achieve positive outcomes, including: (i) obtaining international certifications and establishing partnerships with the private sector domestically and internationally; (ii) developing an Algerian-Mediterranean multimodal transport network; (iii) contributing to regional development and planning.