The impact of corporate social responsibility on customer satisfaction and corporate reputation in automotive industry

Abstract

Purpose – This study aims to evaluate the impact of the most important dimensions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a part of social marketing (SM) according to the current economic crisis and conditions on customer satisfaction (CS) and corporate reputation in the automotive industry and also to create a new approach in the field of CSR with considering the minimum and major stakeholders by a localized model of the most basic and important responsibilities to open up a new perspective to managers to increase the efficiency of production in automotive and other industries. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, the authors used descriptive statistics and a questionnaire survey of 245 executive managers of the market leader (Iran Khodro Co.) in automotive industry in Iran. The structural equation modelling (SEM) technique used to examine the hypothesized relationships. Findings – The findings of this study conclude that legal and economic responsibilities can be considered as prerequisites for companies. There is no proportional correlation between execution of economic responsibility and CS and corporate reputation; instead, this is regarded as the basic responsibility of companies. Practical implications – This research can present CSR as a useful tool that can aid companies' long-term performance and its benefits can become visible in future with preserving their sustainability. Originality/value – Although the importance of CSR is more obvious to managers, this study opens up a new aspect of CSR by considering it as an informal structure of corporations.