Corporate Social Responsibility Processes Research Articles

Are corporate social responsibility and environmental management ‘influencers’ of performance in companies of the energetic sector?

AbstractPrior research has suggested that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) may affect Environmental Management (EM). Nevertheless, there has been a lack of empirical studies that have examined these relationships, specially, in companies of the energetic field. This research empirically examines whether there is a positive relationship between the implementation of a CSR culture in a company and the obtaining of better Operational Performance, as well as between CSR and EM processes and also between EM and Operational Performance. The analysis of the results obtained through the Partial Least Squares (PLS) methodology concludes that there is a positive relationship between all of them, including this paper a main contribution to Literature as it is the fact that EM plays a mediator role increasing the CSR impact over Operational Performance. The major implication derived from this study is that investments in CSR and EM practices towards all the company stakeholders should positively affect performance. Therefore, both should be equally as important as other functions of a firm.

Corporate social responsibility in controversial industries: A literature review and research agenda

AbstractThis study reviews the extant literature about corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of companies operating in controversial industries. We analyze 88 articles guided by the overall question of how such companies integrate CSR into their business practices, which topics are addressed, and what the effects of these engagements are on various stakeholders. We use Maon et al.'s (2009) integrative framework to structure our analysis and develop a research agenda. Our review suggests that controversial companies' motivations are not altruistic, but largely market‐based and reactive. No studies indicated that firm mission or values underpinned the motivation for undertaking CSR programs. We also found that the perspective of employees was underrepresented. Moreover, a large number of the articles (44.3%) in our dataset dealt with communication‐related topics, neglecting many other areas of the CSR process.

A thematic analysis of the links between multinational enterprises’ corporate social responsibility and the Sustainable Development Goals in Myanmar

AbstractAdopting textual analysis, we examine the links between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 30 foreign subsidiaries in Myanmar, a Country of Concern (CoC). The analysis covers the period from 2001 up to 2020. Our work contributes to the literature on SDGs and CSR in a CoC. We find that although multinational enterprises (MNEs) address community issues via philanthropy unrelated to their principal business, in some cases CSR is related to their core capability. Despite some diversity in CSR processes, we find that MNEs tackle limited CSR issues. Furthermore, MNEs’ CSR generates positive externalities rather than reduce negative externalities. This finding confirms the discourse in international business policy suggesting MNEs focus on only positive externalities and ignoring negative externalities, and this neglect of negative externalities could result in a net-negative impact from their CSR. Nevertheless, we observe that CSR activities map onto all but one SDG, thus demonstrating the potential for further investment in CSR in Myanmar. Our study highlights that given a CoC is all about institutional weakness, MNEs’ CSR must focus on strengthening institutions to bring about systemic changes in these contexts, as opposed to short-term ‘bandage’ approaches, otherwise, gains to SDGs will be short-lived.

Moderating Environmental Leadership on Corporate Social Responsibility and Green Innovation of SMEs Performance

Abstract The contribution and knowledge of environmental leadership has been questioned on how they aid institutions in their CSR and innovative thinking. The purpose of the investigation was to explore the role of Small and Medium Scale enterprises in emerging nation on how corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green process innovation (GRNI) can help enterprises to achieve environmental (ENVP) and financial performance (FINP). For the analysis of the indicators data was collected from SMEs in the manufacturing sectors of Ghana through questionnaire of 215 participants. The “SmartPLS 3” model was employed to analyze the affiliation between the investigated indicators. The findings demonstrated that CSR had a material impact on ENVP but not on FINP and GRNI. However, GRNI had a favorable and material affiliation with ENVP and FINP of SME’s. On exploring the moderating effect of environmental leadership (ENVL) had a favorable affiliation between CSR and green process innovation. The research made a significant contribution to the green theory and practically to researchers and practitioners in manufacturing and other industries who are serious about implementing environmental sustainability and are seeking for a suitable method are anticipated to benefit from this study. It provides a generic approach to implementing CSR that links SME owners and managers, green technologies, green practices, and process management.

Changes in corporate social responsibility activity during a pandemic: The case of COVID‐19

AbstractThis study examines the practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) during COVID‐19. Little is known about how organizations practice CSR during acute exogenous crises. Overlooking how CSR practices change during a crisis matters because organizations are compelled into trade‐offs that carry implications for their CSR initiatives. Analysis of interview data with CSR managers, from 21 Dubai‐based business organizations during COVID‐19, uncovers changes in the content and process of CSR during the pandemic. The results show that the practice of CSR underwent a fundamental change in focus as organizations shifted to an employee‐centric model of CSR and away from an environmental one. Measures placed on organizations and society to combat the pandemic also led to a recalibration of stakeholder and issue salience, with notable effects on CSR that challenge the capability of the power–legitimacy–urgency framework to anticipate these shifts. We consider the impacts associated with the shift in the content of CSR initiatives and process of their implementation and discuss the implications of the findings for CSR theory, research, policy, and practice.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability: From a Corporate Governance Perspective

Sustainable corporate development has become essential for many enterprises in the context of economic globalization and fierce technological competition. In fact, it is being tackled at a strategic level by most companies. The fulfillment of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is significant in building a corporate image, improving brand competitiveness, and promoting sustainable corporate development. Simultaneously, the level of corporate governance is a crucial factor in an enterprise’s long-term development. Therefore, this study clarifies whether CSR has a positive impact on the sustainable development of enterprises through empirical analysis; it also analyzes the effects of internal governance factors on the relationship between the two, from the perspective of corporate governance. A fixed-effects regression analysis was conducted on a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2015 to 2019. According to the results, active CSR can promote sustainable development. Furthermore, corporate governance factors such as internal control, management capabilities, and accounting information quality have a moderating role in the CSR process on sustainable corporate development. This study provides a theoretical basis for future research on CSR and sustainable development, and its findings can inspire governments and enterprises from the perspective of corporate governance.

An Exploratory Study of Perception and Practices of CSR in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Led by Women in Cameroon

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) symbolises companies' response to the question of how to apply Sustainable Development (SD) values. For several decades, an abundant literature has focused on the responsible engagement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in general but rarely in a gendered approach. The objective of this study is therefore to explore the perception of social responsibility issues of women-owned enterprises in Cameroon and to identify concretely their responsible practices. With this in mind, a theoretical framework has been constructed on the basis of Carroll Pyramid and a stakeholder (SH) perspective. After using Gioia Method in an interpretive style, the discourse analysis of in-depth interviews with five (5) SMEs run by women in the city of Douala revealed three main results. Firstly, CSR is perceived by women managers of SMEs more from an utilitarian, voluntary perspective than from a normative, binding one. Secondly, this vision of women SME managers seems to be justified by the theory of "care" which places community interest in the first place in a natural way to the detriment of individualism, self-interest. Thirdly, as the implementation of a CSR process requires large financial means, the actions carried out are primarily economic, more in favour of employees and customers.

The Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility Micro-Level Processes on Meso-Level Performance: the Case of Hospitality

The relevance and importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have long been recognised in the business sector. Previous research has shown that CSR has a positive impact on a company’s financial performance, value, reputation, brand image, customer loyalty, and a variety of other factors. CSR has been studied from a variety of viewpoints, with the bulk of studies focusing on the meso-level dimensions of CSR. The number of studies on micro-level CSR processes has so far been limited, but has recently increased. For CSR to be effective, it is necessary to understand the correlation of the processes on both levels. The purpose of the research is to investigate CSR micro-level processes and their impact on meso-level performance, with additional attention to the hospitality industry. Research methods: analysis of scientific publications, analysis of previously conducted research and results, and other scholarly literature. The results of this study indicate that the micro-level processes of the stakeholder groups involved, mostly customers and employees, have a direct impact on internal and external CSR initiatives and their meso-level outcomes, which might be both positive and negative. The results also indicate a possible research gap, as the number of studies on micro-level CSR processes in hospitality has so far been limited, and the findings cannot be considered exhaustive or conclusive.

Employee Cognizance of Corporate Social Responsibility Activities in Public Sector Manufacturing Companies- A Review

Purpose: The concept of a company having societal and stakeholder duties is widely acknowledged, and its acceptance has exploded in the latest days. The goal of this study is to look into how to work attachment affects the relationship between employee perceptions of socially responsible acts and managerial commitment. Methodology: This research article utilizes secondary data from research, journal papers, and scholarly research articles on the research subject area. This study focused on the domains which are influenced by the corporate sector's efforts in ethical business practices. The goal is to learn what employees think about their organization’s corporate social sustainability initiatives. Findings: CSR has a significant influence on employee work engagement, according to the study's findings, corporate so8cial responsibility has the ability to enhance employee attitudes and behaviors while also helping businesses succeed, making it a win scenario. As a result, firms should prioritize CSR programs in order to benefit their workforce. Furthermore, four elements of CSR must be considered equally: economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary duties. Each dimension has an unavoidable ramification. The findings reveal that philanthropic responsibility has an impact on work attitudes, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment, even when it is not directly tied to employees, and that these elements operate as crucial mediators between CSR perception and employee behaviors. As a result, when engaging in CSR activities, corporations should consider employee participation levels. The purpose of this study is to establish a paradigm for better understanding the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on workers’ attitudes and behaviors at job. Practical implications: According to the findings, companies that engage in corporate sustainability initiatives have a useful impact on employees’ attitudes toward the company, resulting in higher levels of organizational belonging and job satisfaction, which is likely to boost productivity. Originality/ Value: The research will help companies structure their CSR activities so that they have a balanced impact across multiple locations, as well as assess employee attitudes toward CSR processes. Paper Type: Review paper

EMPLOYEE COGNIZANCE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INIATIVES IN ORGANIZATIONS-A REVIEW

Purpose:The concept of a company having societal and stakeholder duties is widely acknowledged, and its acceptance has exploded in latest days. The goal of this study is to look into how work attachment affects the relationship between employee perceptions of socially responsible acts and managerial commitment. Methodology:This research article utilizes secondary data from research, journal papers and scholarly research articles on the research subject area. This study focused on the domains which are influenced by the corporate sector's efforts in ethical business practices. The goal is to learn what employees think about their organization’s Corporate social sustainability initiatives. Findings: CSR has a significant influence on employee work engagement, according to the study's findings, corporate social responsibility has the ability to enhance employee attitudes and behaviors while also helping businesses succeed, making it a win scenario. As a result, firms should prioritize CSR programmes in order to benefit their workforce. Furthermore, four elements of CSR must be considered equally: economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary duties. Each dimension has an unavoidable ramification. The findings reveal that philanthropic responsibility has an impact on work attitudes, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment, even when it is not directly tied to employees, and that these elements operate as crucial mediators between CSR perception and employee behaviors. As a result, when engaging in CSR activities, corporations should consider employee participation levels. The purpose of this study is to establish a paradigm for better understanding the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on workers attitudes and behaviors at job. Practical implications:According to the findings, companies that engage in corporate sustainability initiatives have a useful impact on employee’s attitudes toward the company, resulting in higher levels of organizational belonging and job satisfaction, which is likely to boost productivity. Originality/ Value: The research will help companies structure their CSR activities so that they have a balanced impact across multiple locations, as well as assess employee attitudes toward CSR processes. Paper Type:Review paper

Sociology of tribalism for inclusive corporate social responsibility communication in Nigeria

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to deconstruct the term “tribalism” for its application to foster context and industry-based corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication system in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThis research used both the qualitative and quantitative research methods of data collection; it is an in-depth survey with multiple data collection settings.Findings(1) There is a pattern of CSR communication across the three industries sampled. (2) CSR across three industrial sectors is much about “donation” and “gift”. (3) CSR functions are now in a stand-alone corporate communication department. (4) CSR communication lacks the participatory mechanism to really involve the host communities' concerns. (5) Across the four organizations, CSR communication is often as financial or annual reports. (6) There is a general feeling and understanding that CSR and corporate communication in corporate organizations in n Nigeria require a more participatory mechanism. (7) CSR policy in Nigeria is till much of legal enforcement and efforts to have a national CSR commission has gone beyond legislation process.Research limitations/implicationsThis research was only able to collect data from four selected organizations representing just three industrial sectors (freight-forward, banking/finance and insurance) in Nigeria. There was no external funding to capture more organizations.Practical implicationsThe first implication of the findings of this study is that, for the practice of CSR and communication by corporate organizations in Nigeria, the system is much a top-down and non-participatory. This means host communities and other stakeholders do not have considerable participation in the organization's CSR and communication process. The companies in this study select or budget for CSR interventions they consider valuable to communities in most cases. This pattern of CSR operation cuts across the four selected organizations in this study. Thus, it could be argued that this pattern is an industrial/national phenomenon because all the respondents indicated that their organizations operate CSR based on what other related companies do in Nigeria. Second, the fact that CSR and communication by corporate organizations in Nigeria are regulatory influenced means many organizations may try to evade CSR activities by not budgeting for it.Social implicationsMeanwhile, in this study, deconstructing the evolutionary perspective which sees tribe as a primitive form of organization and relation characterized by the absence of a centralized collaborative system, it is argued that tribalism can catalyze systemic participation and oneness. In line with this perspective, tribal corporate organizations in Nigeria would model an alliance for CSR and communication system on proximity of operational context, that is, Nigeria. Being part of a tribe, corporate organizations as against the public ones will represent an identity reference for social corporate communication in Nigeria.Originality/valueDespite the theoretical problematic issues raised by the notion of tribe, it is deconstructed in this study to define modes of social organization, and it reflects native perceptions of a changing collective identity. Thus, it is also argued in this study, that there will be an increase in works on tribalism in organization communication and CSR in Nigeria as emerging business and global market will continue to shape the operation environment.

CSR and green process innovation as antecedents of micro, small, and medium enterprise performance: Moderating role of perceived environmental volatility

Despite the recognised importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to firms, it is far from clear how and when CSR can drive the success of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Drawing on the dynamic capabilities approach and using time-lagged survey data collected from 176 MSMEs operating in a major sub-Saharan African economy, we examine the role of green process innovation and perceived environmental volatility in linking CSR to MSME performance. We find that green process innovation mediates the positive relationship between CSR and MSME performance. Additionally, we discover that perceived environmental volatility negatively moderates the indirect relationship between CSR and MSME performance through green process innovation, lending support to a moderated mediation model. We conclude with a discussion on the theoretical and managerial implications of our findings and provide avenues for future research.

Corporate social responsibility in family firms: A systematic literature review

ABSTRACT The field of CSR in family firms has experienced remarkable growth recently. Therefore, a literature review on the topic is needed to provide an updated overview of extant research and draw guidelines for future research. Using bibliometric mapping, we conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in family business drawing on the Web of Science (WOS) and Scopus databases. The bibliographic coupling conducted suggests that family involvement, corporate governance, and sustainability are the most frequently studied topics. Furthermore, through our SLR, we systematized the studies into an interpretative framework, identifying the drivers and outcomes of CSR practices, processes, and strategies in family business. The study reveals and organizes the state-of-the-art of CSR research in family business, outlines important theoretical implications and develops a future research agenda.

Trends in Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting. The Case of Chinese Listed Companies

Compared with Western developed countries, corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation in China started relatively late, but so far, its development has been going on for more than ten years. Therefore, the development process of CSR reporting as a vital tool to reflect the CSR related information of Chinese listed companies is worth studying. It has been asserted in a large amount of literature that the government of a country has an important influence on the development of CSR reporting. Thus, in this paper, we aim to study the trends in CSR reporting practices of Chinese listed companies through statistical analysis methods and then consider the role of the government in it. The results show that the number of CSR reports issued by Chinese listed companies has increased year by year; notably, the number of voluntary CSR disclosure and environmental information disclosure has increased significantly. However, the overall disclosure rate of CSR reports is low and shows no upward trend, the published CSR reports lack third-party certification, and the information disclosure level of most CSR reports is concentrated at a relatively low level. The findings provide some useful references for the future development of Chinese CSR related laws, regulations, and guidelines.

CSR Uptake in Non-Western Contexts: the Impact of Institutional Environment and Entrepreneurs

The impact of institutional environment and institutional entrepreneurs for corporate social responsibility (CSR) uptake, practice and process in the context of Western countries has been extensively examined. However, while these examinations are insightful, it is not clear if other conditions and influencing factors in relation to the institutional environment and institutional entrepreneurs foreign to the West exist. If indeed they do, this raises questions related to the extent to which they may influence CSR practice and process. The paucity of such research restricts and prevents a more comprehensive understanding of the role and impact of institutional dynamics and underlying processes for CSR. From a practice perspective, CSR managers and organisational leaders miss the opportunity to utilise CSR as an instrument serving organisational interests and legitimacy. Consequently, this study investigates the impact of institutional environment and institutional entrepreneurs for CSR uptake, practice and process from a non-Western perspective. Employing an exploratory research design within a range of public and private sector organisations, we interrogate the phenomenon from the perspective of key actors involved in its formulation. The findings evidence a set of distinct institutional dynamics and institutional entrepreneurs that contribute to the formulation of specific CSR. The identified forms of CSR reveal organisational attempts for adaptation to the institutional dynamics and for preserving organisational legitimacy. Therefore, our work provides important contributions to the CSR debate by outlining factors and conditions specific for non-Western countries that result in context-driven forms of CSR. These findings offer a number of insightful and substantives considerations for practitioners and policy makers involved in the development of CSR.

Corporate social responsibility of the quasi-public sector: principles and processes

The purpose of the study is to systematize modern ideas about the principles and processes of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the quasi-public sector.Methodology - formalized methods for the analysis of literary sources - contextual analysis, deduction, adaptation method.Originality / value of the research. Research represents the value for companies of the quasi-public sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan, since it allows to eliminate existing gaps of knowledge (research gaps) in the methodology of corporate social responsibility management. To summarize the quality and effectiveness of CSR, the principles of CSR and the principles of effective management of CSR in the quasi-public sector of the economy are formulated. These principles are implemented in practice through CSR processes and projects.Findings - the model of effective CSR management is proposed, linking the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act), CSR processes and principles of effective CSR management. The proposed model can be taken as a general structural framework of the CSR management system in a quasi-public company and further decompose this system to the level of specific CSR procedures and projects.

The stakeholder engagement in the European banks: Regulation versus governance. What changes after the NF directive?

AbstractPrevious studies show regulation and corporate governance play an important role in affecting CSR processes and outcomes. The stakeholder engagement (SE) process represents a good practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and, at the same time, an aspect of substance over form, within the CSR policies. In spite of its relevance, SE represents a little explored field of research. The purpose of this paper is to investigate if the improvements in SE processes are actually driven by regulation rather than by some elements of corporate governance. The study examines the effect of the regulation and some board's characteristics on SE. Specifically, in 2017 the introduction of EU non‐financial information Directive (Directive 2014/95/EU) shifts the disclosure of non‐financial information from the voluntary to the mandatory realm: in this mandatory context, the quality of the SE process that is indirectly disclosed in non‐financial information, could improve. By using a content and statistical analysis, through performing 4 two‐way Analysis of Variance, the study reveals that the effects of the introduction of the Directive 2014/95/EU on the stakeholder engagement process have been limited and the improvements in SE before and after the introduction of the Directive link to the Board of Directors characteristics. These findings are interesting for academics, by enriching the academic debate on mandatory versus voluntary disclosure and the relationship between board attributes and sustainability, for policy makers, by providing suggestions to favour organisational change of the firms, and for managers, by identifying the desirable characteristics of the Board of Directors.

Corporate social responsibility and stakeholder engagement in Ghana\u2019s mining sector: a case study of Newmont Ahafo mines

Even though the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been applauded for several decades, the concept of stakeholder engagement is relatively new to the Ghanaian mining sector. This study investigates the CSR process of an extractive company and examines how stakeholders are engaged in CSR. Using purposive and snowball sampling in identifying its respondents, data was gathered through interviewing 21 selected respondents from various stakeholder groups and documents such as sustainability annual reports were analyzed. It was discovered that Newmont Ahafo Mines has consistently had a prominent CSR drive in Ghana for several years and stakeholder involvement in CSR is important for implementing relevant CSR programs. Findings of this study contribute to the building of empirical reference which will serve as guidelines for management practitioners dealing with stakeholder relations and CSR in Ghana’s mining sector. Therefore, it is recommended that the mining sector put immense effort in engaging various stakeholders in their CSR initiatives.

Firm–civil society organizational collaborations in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives; development of collaboration typology

PurposeBusiness firms operate in society not only for market gains but also for generating positive social externalities. Civil society organisations (CSO) have helped society to develop across various spheres of influence. The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) ushered in an era wherein both business economic objectives as well as socio-environmental responsibilities of firms were prioritized simultaneously. The path of firms and CSOs intersected through CSR. In this work, the authors develop a typology on firm–CSO collaboration regarding CSR initiatives.Design/methodology/approachThe authors through a twin approach of systematic literature review (SLR) with qualitative study developed a categorization of collaborations between a firm and a CSO in the context of CSR engagements. Apart from the SLR, the authors undertook two focus group discussions (FGD) with CSR experts (engaged in firm–CSO collaboration). This was done with a semi-structured discussion agenda frame. The data were content analysed for thematic aspects. Thus, both SLR as well as FGD outputs were considered for the study results.FindingsThe authors found six elements in firm–CSO collaboration and seven archetypes of collaboration. The six elements were CSR action elements (CSRAE) consisting of CSR agenda (CSRA), CSR resources (CSRR), CSR capabilities (CSRC), CSR Pprocess (CSRP), CSR monitoring (CSRM) and CSR stakeholder engagement (CSRSE). The seven typologies were CSO as auditor , outsourcing of CSR , CSO-driven CSR, joint CSR, support to CSO for CSR ,guided support to CSO and coordinated CSR.Research limitations/implicationsDoty and Glick, (1994) had undertaken a seminal work on theory building based upon the unique method of application of typologies. Doty and Glick, (1994) elucidated how application of typologies could through a typology study enhance the scope and level for understanding and modelling in a contextual domain involving theory. This study was a step in this direction in the context of firm–CSO collaboration in the context of CSR initiatives.Practical implicationsThis study would help managers from both CSOs and business firms to comprehend in which sphere they were required to collaborate like in resource /capabilities deployment or in designing CSR agendas or CSR process or CSR monitoring or in stakeholder engagement during CSR management. This typology would enable managers to comprehend what would be the most suitable form of collaboration between a firm and a CSO for a specific CSR engagement.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies that theorizes regarding firm–CSO collaboration in the context of CSR initiatives both in terms of the collaboration building block elements as well as typology presented.

The coevolutionary process of restaurant CSR in the time of mega disruption.

This study investigates how US foodservice conglomerates have embarked on corporate social responsibility (CSR) measures to circumvent dire situations during the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores the evolution of CSR practices from restaurant enterprises to rescue and salvage their stakeholders. By analyzing press releases from ten restaurant chains in three different crisis phases (incubation, acceleration, and climax) through corpus linguistics, we identify a CSR progression mechanism that coevolves with the aftermath of the crisis among their stakeholders. This study improvises the CSR- as-process view to highlight the time-variant dynamic nature of CSR development over the course of major disruption.