PhD student profile - Adaeze Nwaka
Thesis title: Rethinking corporate community involvement in emerging economies: implications for community entrepreneurship development
Research summary
Adaeze’s research explores how Corporate Community Involvement (CCI) is perceived to contribute to entrepreneurship development within local communities as a pathway to broader community economic development. It examines how corporate initiatives, partnerships, and other interventions are understood by community and corporate actors, and how these understandings influence the processes through which local entrepreneurship develops.
Rather than assuming predetermined outcomes, the study explores the different meanings these actors attach to CCI and how these shape understandings of its role in supporting sustainable, locally driven entrepreneurship. In doing so, the research provides deeper insight into how corporate-community relationships can inform more inclusive approaches and long-term community economic development.
Journal publications
- Amaeshi, K., Iwuoha, J., Nwaka, A., Amaeshi, D. and Ashaheme, A. (2026). Economic policy, corporate social responsibility, and unemployment in Africa: a call for a renewed dialogue. Revue de l’Organisation Responsable, 21(1), pp. 190–200.
Conference papers
- Nwaka, A. (2025) Rethinking Corporate Community Involvement: A study of Indigenous Firms in Nigeria. Paper presented at the ARG Conference, Portugal, 25 July 2025.
- Nwaka, A. (2026) The State of CCI in Nigeria. Paper presented at the Nottingham University Business School Tri-Campus Conference, United Kingdom, 25 April 2026.
Current teaching
- Entrepreneurship, Theory and Practice - ESI Demonstrator
Thinking about studying for a PhD?
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