Independent Variables Affecting Employee Behaviour in Socially Responsible Organisations: Working Environment in Lithuania and Poland

Abstract

Although the improvement of work environment is often associated with greater operational efficiency, we propose looking at it from a different angle. The improvement of working conditions creates a “side effect” that provides significant support for the implementation of CSR goals. That is, organizations have the opportunity not only to improve accountability to this stakeholder group, but also to stimulate its socially responsible behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to identify independent variables affecting employee behaviour in socially responsible organisations. To conduct the research, a questionnaire survey method was chosen. The research sample includes 823 respondents from Lithuania and Poland. The research hypotheses were tested by performing the linear regression analysis with independent variables. Our findings show that when such features as employee intentions to leave the job, the extremity of work content, biased work management, environment that does not correspond to ergonomic requirements, and poor working conditions were decreasing while other variables in Lithuanian organisations remained unchanged, the socially responsible behaviour of the organisations was strengthening. In Poland’s case, as negative intentions and attitudes of employees were weakening, the nature of tasks and working conditions were becoming more acceptable, while other social variables remained unchanged, the employee’s socially responsible behaviour was also strengthening.