Domain Of Corporate Social Responsibility Research Articles

Corporate social responsibility initiatives of banks and customers’ selection of banks in Hong Kong

PurposeThis study examines whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives positively impact customers’ selection of retail banks in Hong Kong (HK) and identifies which CSR domains affect customers’ selection of banks.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a quantitative approach. Primary data were collected from 416 customers of 22 retail banks in HK. The theoretical framework of this study was developed from a literature review, prior studies by Oberseder et al. (2013 and 2014), and CSR initiatives implemented by leading retail banks in HK. Descriptive statistics and statistical tests were used to analyze the data.FindingsThe study found that CSR initiatives positively affect customers’ bank selection. CSR initiatives related to the customer and environment domains are likely to have a greater impact on customers than those related to the society domain and are not likely to significantly impact customers’ bank selection.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the CSR literature by offering enhanced insight into the dynamics of CSR and its effects on customer bank selection. Furthermore, this study tests consumers’ perceptions of CSR initiatives in each CSR domain in the banking sector in Hong Kong – a novel approach that has not been previously explored in existing studies. These findings can help banks review the effectiveness of their CSR initiatives and make informed decisions on which initiatives should pursue improved CSR performance and efficient resource allocation.

Political embeddedness and corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a state-led developing country: evidence from China

AbstractIn many countries, the government plays a regulative role in corporate social responsibility (CSR) as an external overseer of economic and public market sectors. However, owing to the politically embedded nature of extensive corporations in China, the government's influence over CSR is not only exogenous but may even endogenously shape the general scope of CSR of companies in comparison to the West. To date, this has not been extensively examined. We explore this from the standpoint of the scope of beneficiaries and CSR domains, which accurately depict the welfare effects of business in developing countries. Based on a resource dependence perspective, we conduct a quantitative content analysis on a sample of 160 Chinese listed companies and developed a two-level model of political embeddedness. The results show a complex interaction between politics and business, revealing the opposing influence of political embeddedness at different levels.

The Impact of State Ownership on Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting: A Comparison Between State-Owned and Non-State-Owned Enterprises in China

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting is a communication channel between companies and stakeholders. As the literature has largely been confined to exploring privately-owned enterprises, state-owned enterprises (SOEs)—a typical example of public sector organizations—warrant further investigation. This study examines SOEs’ accountability structures and reporting features, which are dominated by state owners and mainly driven by non-financial objectives. Through a content analysis of the CSR reports of 49 SOEs and 111 non-SOEs in China, we analyze the stakeholders and CSR domains involved in the reporting. The findings demonstrate that SOEs disseminate the full coverage of stakeholders and a wider scope of CSR domains in disclosure. We extend the debate on CSR-reporting research by demonstrating how state ownership influences hybrid organizations’ self-expression and accountability frame through our finding of a distinctive specialized sub-organization with strong ties to the state that drives CSR internally.

Assessing the performance of corporate social responsibility (CSR): Impact range-performance analysis and impact-asymmetry analysis

This study assesses the multidimensionality of employee-perceived hotel corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and its influences on three organizational attitudes and behavior. Impact range-performance analysis (IRPA) and impact-asymmetry analysis (IAA) were applied, using data from 410 hotel staff. A five-domain solution (financial, legal, ethical, social/philanthropic, and environmental) was created using exploratory factor analysis. The results of IRPA and IAA indicated that the five domains of CSR were categorized into various performance and impact range segments. These findings provide theoretical and industrial insights that advance the extant CSR literature and the development of managerial tactics.

Impact of different types of corporate social responsibility on fit, attitude and behavior

Purpose Despite the fact that fit positively influences customers’ attitudes toward companies, previous research reveals differing roles of fit in the domain of corporate social responsibility (CSR) based on criteria and degree. Because the impact of fit between customers and service companies in the domain of CSR remains unclear in the hospitality context, this study aims to examine the effects of different CSR types on customer–CSR fit, attitude and behavioral intentions in hospitality settings. Design/methodology/approach A total of 219 usable hotel customer responses were collected and analyzed using SmartPLS software. Findings Results show that companies’ demonstration of CSR toward social/nonsocial stakeholders is most effective for increasing perceived fit by customers, followed by CSR toward employees and toward customers. Also, this study identifies perceived fit as an indicator of customers’ positive attitudes and revisit intentions. This study enhances our understanding of relationships among three dimensions of CSR activities and customers’ responses. Originality/value This study provides guidelines with which hospitality companies can create sustainable growth by engaging the welfare of communities, employees and customers.

Public service announcements: A literature review and way forward

AbstractThis paper presents a literature review of public service announcements (PSAs). Using the SPAR‐4‐SLR protocol, we uncover 119 articles on PSAs in the domains of corporate social responsibility (CSR), the environment, health, finance, safety, and security. The literature review reveals that PSA makers may elicit empathy during their appeal and also juxtapose PSAs with narratives. Further, they may consider using fear, humour, and nurturance appeals. We cull the key takeaways from each domain and identify commonalities and differences across the domains. In addition, we offer strategies to make PSAs effective. PSA makers may run more PSAs, use targeted appeals, and use fewer celebrity appeals. The paper also identifies gaps in the literature and outlines future research directions.

The COVID-19 global crisis and corporate social responsibility

In order to gain greater insight into the nature of corporate social responsibility (CSR) during a time of crisis, the study examines the commitment of firms to continue to engage in CSR activity despite financial pressures to divert their slack resources elsewhere. The setting of the study is CSR activity during the perhaps unprecedented global crisis associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a qualitative research method approach, both a variety of media sources and the relevant academic literature are reviewed in order to identify examples of CSR activity related specifically to COVID-19. The examples are then categorized and situated according to Professor Archie Carroll’s well-known CSR Pyramid framework describing the economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic domains of CSR. As such, this study is the first to extend the rich literature stream utilizing Carroll’s CSR Pyramid within the unique context of a global pandemic.

Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in Selected Nepalese Companies

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a business system through which the production and distribution of wealth are allocated for the betterment of its stakeholders. It includes the economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic domains. It impacts society environmentally, socially, and economically. The paper aims to assess the practices of CSR in selected Nepalese companies and identify the disclosure of CSR activities. Nepal Telecom [NT], Ncell, Chaudhary Group [CG], and Standard Chartered Bank [SCB] are selected companies in this study. Data were collected through relevant documentary scrutiny and evidence such as annual reports and websites and review of previous research studies. The study is based on the qualitative method. Data analysis was used on a thematic basis. Convenience sampling was used. On the one hand, both NT and Ncell make their contribution on their communicating service; on the other hand, all of the sample companies focus their spending on education, health, environmental protection, natural calamities, and sports. Ncell has made a substantial contribution to protecting COVID-19. CG’s various CSR programs are not just for accomplishing the regulatory requirement, it aims to be part of the overall development and bring sustainable social reform. CG has livelihood as well as heritage and spiritual development programs which also should remain under CSR practices for the economic development of the country. The companies have disclosed relatively more philanthropic and ethical information and the least economic information. In this study, the economic domain of CSR is dominant. The economic domain of CSR includes the production of goods and services to earn profits. This is followed by a legal, philanthropic and ethical domain. This study helps the policymaker, business organizations, researchers, and learners to improve knowledge and ideas about CSR.

Not all CSR initiatives are perceived equal: The influence of CSR domains and focal moralities on consumer responses to the company and the cause

Companies engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) in various domains. As the current research establishes, consumers respond to these various domains in distinct ways, depending on the congruence of each domain with the consumer's predominant or focal morality. Two experimental studies involving 1207 consumers—obtained from a single-country sample in Study 1 and a cross-national sample in Study 2—reveal that exposing autonomy-oriented consumers to ethics-based CSR, or purity-oriented consumers to environment-based CSR, leads to more favorable pro-company responses (i.e., attitudes toward the company) and pro-society responses (i.e., intentions to donate money and volunteer for the cause). However, the hypothesized congruence mechanism does not hold when community-oriented consumers are exposed to community-based CSR. These findings suggest that congruence between the CSR domain addressed by the company and the focal morality embraced by consumers can predict consumer responses to CSR. Furthermore, the findings provide practitioners with insights into how to communicate their CSR activities to different consumer targets, in ways that enhance both business returns and societal impacts.

Examining the Mediating Role of Work Engagement in the Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Turnover Intention: Evidence from Nigeria

The subject of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has drawn the attention of many scholars and practitioners in the administrative sciences field. However, few studies have been carried out on Nigerian employees’ perspectives on CSR and on how CSR affects their attitudes and behaviors at work. The present study sought to contribute to narrowing this gap by examining how CSR perceptions, work engagement, and turnover intention are related in a sample of Nigerian workers. More specifically, this study had triple aims: first, describe employees’ perceptions of their employers’ involvement in different CSR domains; second, examine how CSR perceptions were related to employees’ levels of work engagement and turnover intention; third, analyze work engagement intervention as a mediator in the relationship between CSR perceptions and turnover intention. The sample included 118 employees from different organizations who voluntarily participated in an online survey. The findings revealed that respondents consider that their employer organizations have relatively high involvement in CSR activities, especially activities towards customers, employees, and stockholders. Findings also revealed that employees’ perceptions of CSR are related to diminishing levels of turnover intention, via increased work engagement. Therefore, organizations can invest in CSR activities to foster positive employee outcomes in Nigeria.

A corporate social responsibility conceptual framework to address artisanal gold mining in South Africa

The formal sector's role in supporting the informal sector is becoming more recognisable worldwide. In this regard, the International Labour Organisation (ILO, 2002: 73) remarked that it is becoming more difficult for corporations to maintain and improve circumstances in the formal economy without addressing the informal economy. To explore the role corporations can play in developing and addressing artisanal mining in South Africa, this paper engages with the theoretical domain of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Based on empirical data, a CSR framework was developed through the research, which is the first comprehensive framework that mining companies can use to address the current unsustainable artisanal mining sector in the South African context. The CSR framework provides practical initiatives to develop and create opportunities for historically disadvantaged South Africans to benefit from the country's mineral resources.

Bibliometric and Scientometric analysis on CSR practices in the banking sector

AbstractThis paper provides a bibliometric and Scientometric analysis of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) in banking sector. Our study analyzes 551 articles from the Scopus database to find out the relationship between CSR and banking. A bibliometric method was used to visualize the results using R‐studio and VOS viewer software. The Scientometric analysis was conducted to determine the findings and mappings of the research themes, directions of current and future research, impact, co‐occurrence, co‐citations and impact and collaboration trends. We explore how CSR literature has evolved over the years in the banking sector between 1993 and 2021. We find that publication in the CSR and banking domain has increased significantly during 2017 and 2021. Social aspects, board of directors, CSR, environment, competitions, Islamic banking, sustainability, disclosure, ethics, legitimacy theory, sustainable banking, loyalty, and brand equity are the popular research trends and collaboration trends identified. We also provide further scope of the study based on the extensive review of the past literature. Our findings may provide help to future researchers, bankers, and regulators in understanding the current trends and future research progression in the CSR and banking sector.

Challenges and opportunities of brand corporate social responsibility classification: A review, new conceptualization and future research agenda

AbstractScholars have outlined several corporate social responsibility (CSR) classifications to analyse the wide range of CSR initiatives. The usage of diverse CSR types has resulted in independent and fragmented research. Previous literature reviews have analysed the overall CSR domain or focused on specific CSR activity, like cause‐related marketing. A comprehensive review of CSR classifications is not available to the best of the authors' knowledge. This article synthesizes the literature on CSR classification and proposes a holistic brand CSR mechanism classification schema. We review the CSR classifications outlined in 104 academic resources published between 1979 and 2021 (across 47 ABDC listed journals and one book). The review utilizes the 5W1H—Who, Why, What, When, Where and How—analytical framework to reveal the underlying rationale of different CSR classifications. The 5W1H analysis indicates that the majority of CSR classifications are from the overall business perspective rather than the product brand perspective. It also suggests the importance of the CSR delivery mechanism, that is, how CSR is delivered. The review finds a lack of conceptual basis in the extant brand CSR mechanism classifications. To address these challenges, we propose a conceptually grounded classification schema for brand CSR mechanisms with 10 classes to capture the feasible options holistically and parsimoniously. We describe the proposed classes and sub‐classes, provide real‐life illustrations, and assess the proposed classification's robustness. The implications of this study for theory, practice, and consumers are discussed. Leveraging the proposed classification, we identify several avenues for further research.

The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on Brand Equity (BE) in Commercial Banks between Awash International Bank S.C and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

The objectives of this study was to examine the effect of CSR on brand Equity in Commercial Banks particularly between Awash Bank and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Dire Dawa Multidimensional corporate social responsibility (philanthropic, ethical, legal, and economic) on brand equity (brand awareness, brand association, perceived quality, and brand loyalty)in the banking industry, specifically were investigated the case of Awash Bank branch and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia branch in Dire Dawa Districts. Descriptive and explanatory research design quantitative methods were used and also using non-probability sampling technique. This study was used quantitative data collection tools self-administered structured questionnaires for collecting information. Both primary and secondary data sources were used to satisfy both the general and specific objective of the study. The data collected were analyzed through both descriptive and inferential statistics. Inferential statistics such as such as independent-samples t-test and ordinal logistic (O logit) regression data analysis were used. The survey findings the bank managers should be considered, CSR activities can create a positive impact on a bank’s image, as perceived by its customers. Although three CSR components (Legal, Ethical and Economic domains) are found significant, they vary in terms of their importance by the banks’ customers. However, Philanthropic domain of CSR is not significantly influence on Brand Equity in commercial banks particularly Awash Bank and Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in Dire Dawa thus, need to realize and incorporate these activities into their corporate strategy if they want to obtain and sustain a good level of competitive advantage, it will create a positive influence on society engaging in charitable activities, donating to the society and protecting the environment. Keywords: Brand Equity, CSR, Economic, Ethical, Legal, Philanthropic, and Commercial Banks DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/13-7-04 Publication date: April 30 th 2022

Environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility of business schools: is there evidence of transdisciplinary effects?

This study analyses the relationship of environmental sustainability and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of business schools by using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) empirical approach on a sample of 338 students from South East Europe. In support of the extant theory of responsible management education, emphasizing the transdisciplinary relationship between the Ethics, CSR, and Sustainability (ERS) domains, we found a direct relationship between environmental sustainability and CSR of business schools. However, we empirically verified a path of indirect effects at the institutional level, starting with the idealism of individual students, leading to the CSR institutional involvement of a business school, mediated by its environmental involvement. Provided that the idealistic individuals might be driving the functioning of the individual responsible management education and its domains, we propose the existence of a potential halo effect ('ERS halo effect'), which has already been described and verified in the corporate sector. We believe that its dynamics, based on the biased assessment of a single business school ERS domain, with its outcomes reflected in the other domains, should be further explored in different institutional and cultural environments.

Corporate social responsibility in post COVID-19 period: critical modeling and analysis using DEMATEL method

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the post-COVID-19 period and to identify the cause–effect relationships amongst those CSFs.Design/methodology/approachThe success factors impacting CSR activities are identified based on inputs from 14 experts in the CSR domain. Thereafter, authors use a statistical approach to identify CSFs with inputs from useable respondents. Finally, the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method was applied to understand the causal relationship between different CSFs.FindingsUsing the DEMATEL method, the authors developed an analytical model showing cause–effect aspects of the CSFs and identified seven factors which firms need to emphasize more to execute better CSR activities in the post-COVID-19 period.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors asked 14 experts for their inputs, but more experts could have made identifying success factors more comprehensive. In this study, the DEMATEL method found seven CSFs that improve CSR activities in the post-COVID-19 period. Another identification process could have enriched the study. The findings of this study cannot be generalized since this study is based on the inputs of employees from India only.Practical implicationsThis proposed analytical model is effective in determining the complex interactions among all impacting CSFs. Firms' CSR managers and policy makers can use the proposed model, especially in the post-COVID-19 period.Originality/valueThe proposed model provides a precise and most accurate analysis for CSFs impacting CSR activities in the post-COVID-19 period. It also provides a unique opportunity for the competent authorities at firms to understand the interaction of different impacting CSFs and takes necessary actions. No other exhaustive analytical model is available in this context.

Evaluation of Strategies to Improve the Corporate Social Responsibility Performance in Food and Pharmaceutical Industries: Empirical Evidence from Iran

Since there is a lack of a strong CSR platform in the Iranian corporate environment, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries, the proposed and existing strategies can be utilized to empower employees and the general public, improve executive processes, improve quality and customer satisfaction, and finally, organize financial and accounting reports. Hence, this study seeks to determine and evaluate strategies to improve the concepts and domain of corporate social responsibility (CSR) of food and pharmaceutical industries in Iran based on the requirements of sustainable development theory. This study analyzes the data of 22 companies active in the food and pharmaceutical industries listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) over a period of six years (2014–2019). Eighty-three indicators were used to evaluate the performance of social responsibility based on economic, social and environmental dimensions. The Pareto approach has been used to determine the most important unmet current requirements. Then, using the Delphi method and content validity, appropriate strategies were determined. Finally, a correlation matrix was used to determine the most important and comprehensive strategies. Findings showed that 14 requirements in the field of corporate social responsibility are of great importance and with six strategies, the necessary measures to meet those requirements can be covered.

Effects of Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Performance on Hotel Employees’ Behavior

ABSTRACT This study aims to examine the effect of perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance on hotel employees’ behavior, as reflected in their attitude and satisfaction. Understanding employees’ reaction to and perception of hotel CSR is essential before exercising effective CSR practices with customers. This study indicates that the social/philanthropic and ethical domains of hotel CSR enhance employees’ attitude and satisfaction with working for this CSR-implementing hotel and their behavior (organizational citizenship, pro-social, and pro-environmental behaviors) within an organization and society. However, environmental, legal, and financial domains do not significantly affect attitude toward CSR-implementing hotel. In addition, the hotel employees’ organizational tenure partially moderates the relationships among the proposed constructs. This study is the initial empirical attempt to understand hotel employees’ responses to hotel CSR. It provides insights and practical suggestions into human resource departments for maximizing the effectiveness of CSR implementation in the hotel industry.

‘Let's call a spade a spade, not a gardening tool’: How euphemisms shape moral judgement in corporate social responsibility domains

Many organizations, especially businesses, make heavy use of euphemisms when communicating on sensitive issues. We explore whether the use of euphemisms, as opposed to equivalent plain terms, influences the moral judgments made by recipients of these messages, notably pertaining to (un)ethical behaviors in corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. Using six ethical and unethical scenarios in a between-subjects experiment, we find four main results. First, individuals judge ethical actions more favorably when they are presented in euphemistic terms versus in plain terms. Second, euphemisms increase the acceptability of unethical CSR practices, which are judged to be significantly less unethical when described using euphemistic terms relative to plain terms. Third, most examined euphemisms are found to increase (respectively, decrease) the likelihood of stated willingness to sign a petition supporting (respectively, denouncing) the considered practices. Fourth, euphemisms remain effective for respondents who view firms as hypocritical.

Differentiated consumer responses to corporate social responsibility domains moderated by corporate social responsibility perceptions: A Kano model‐based perspective

AbstractThe extant literature has generally overlooked the qualitative differences in corporate social responsibility (CSR) domains. Inspired by this gap, we first propose and justify a new classification of CSR domains (including the must‐be, one‐dimensional and attractive domains) based on the Kano model from the perspective of consumer demand and then experimentally test consumers' differentiated responses to different CSR domains moderated by consumers' CSR perceptions in the cases of both CSR strengths and CSR lapses. Using a sample of adult consumers in China, we find that in both cases, the influences of the three CSR domains on consumers' company evaluation and purchase intention are different, and such influences are moderated by consumers' CSR perceptions and show characteristics of asymmetry. The results not only support asymmetric and nonlinear consumer responses to CSR domains but also provide a novel explanation for such phenomena.