Toward a Communality with Employees: The Role of CSR Types and Internal Reputation

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the impacts of organizations’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) types from internal perspectives. By building linkages among CSR, organization–employee relationship, and internal reputation, the current study investigates how organizations’ CSR practices influence the communal relationship between an organization and employees as well as their perceived external prestige (PEP) of an organization. An online survey was conducted with 507 current full-time employees working in large-sized companies in the United States. Results show that four dimensions of CSR activities—discretionary, ethical, legal, and economic CSR—are significantly related to employees’ perceived external prestige. Furthermore, the study found that employees’ PEP is positively related to their perceptions of communal relationships, as well as their communal willingness to the companies. Different direct impacts of CSR activities on the communal relationship between an organization and its employees are also investigated. Theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed.