BY

This dissertation presents the results of an analysis of corporate social investment and HIV j "\ids programmes in South African corporations. The study measures the growing debate onr the responsibilities of business and the examination of Corporate Social Im"estment (CSI) programmes and communication strategies used in HIV j Aids awareness programmes by the top 100 listed companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange ([SE). The first part of the study re,-iews theories and literature rele,-ant to defining the understanding and the impact of HIV j Aids on businesses, the idea of corporate social in,"estmentjresponsibility and the business response to "\IDS. Subsequent chapters describe the construction of a survey instrument emploYed to measure and enluate the extent of CSI and HI\I\ids in South.\frican corporations and the findings of the surve,". Penultimate chapters blend the insights gained from this literature re,-iew to interpret the results, obtained through the quantitati,-e research meLhodolog'", to describe a set of conclusions and recommendations in the contexr of applving corporate social in,-estmem-and HI\- /.\ids to the South.\£.rican business em-ironmem