Effect Of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives Research Articles

Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives and Brand Loyalty in Emerging Markets

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and brand loyalty in emerging markets. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and brand loyalty in emerging markets is a complex interplay of various factors. Studies suggest that CSR initiatives positively influence brand loyalty in these markets, as consumers tend to perceive socially responsible companies more favorably and are more likely to develop strong emotional connections with such brands. However, the effectiveness of CSR initiatives in building brand loyalty can vary depending on the specific context of the emerging market, including cultural, economic, and regulatory factors. Moreover, the authenticity and transparency of CSR efforts play a crucial role in shaping consumer perceptions and trust towards the brand. Companies that genuinely integrate CSR into their business strategies and demonstrate tangible social and environmental impact are more likely to enjoy long-term loyalty from consumers in emerging markets. Additionally, engaging in community development programs and addressing local societal needs can further enhance brand loyalty by fostering a sense of goodwill and reciprocity among consumers. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Stakeholder theory, social identity theory and institutional theory may be use to anchor future studies on assessing the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and brand loyalty in emerging markets. Develop CSR initiatives that are tailored to the socio-economic, cultural, and regional contexts of specific emerging markets, aligning them with the prevalent concerns and values of local consumers to enhance brand loyalty. Implement policies that incentivize and encourage businesses operating in emerging markets to adopt CSR practices, recognizing the potential of CSR initiatives to drive brand loyalty while contributing to positive social and environmental outcomes.

An Analysis of CSR and its Expenditure in India in the Terms of Trends, Impact and Challenges

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has defined corporate social responsibility (CSR) as "a management concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interactions with their stakeholders. CSR is a way in which companies achieve a balance of economic, environmental and social imperatives". Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a crucial aspect of business operations worldwide, with companies recognizing their responsibility to contribute positively to society. In India, the CSR landscape has witnessed significant growth and transformation since the introduction of the Companies Act, 2013, mandating qualifying companies to allocate a portion of their profits towards CSR activities. This research paper delves into the CSR expenditure in India, aiming to analyze the trends, impact, and challenges faced by corporations in fulfilling their CSR commitments. The study employs both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including data analysis, case studies, and interviews with key stakeholders to gain comprehensive insights into the subject matter. The paper sheds light on the effectiveness of CSR initiatives and provides valuable recommendations for enhancing CSR practices in India. Since the enactment of CSR provisions in April 2014, companies have spent nearly 1.27 trillion rupees or 1.27 lakh crore rupees in a span of seven years as per the data available on the National CSR Portal based on the disclosures made by companies. This money has been spent across 29 different sectors such as health, education, environment, welfare, development, and others. From over Rs. 10,065 crores spent in 2014-15, the CSR expenditure in India has increased to Rs. 25,715 crores in 2020-21 registering a 2.5-times increase in the seven years of implementation. With nearly Rs. 36,815 crores, the education sector received 29% of the CSR expenditure between 2014-15 and 2020-21. The health sector comes next with 20% of the CSR expenditure of Rs. 25,391 crores. More than Rs. 12,300 crores were spent in Rural development projects which accounted for 9.7%. The three sectors are the only ones to receive more than Rs. 10,000 crores each of CSR expenditure and together accounted for nearly 59% of the total CSR expenditure incurred in the country in seven years. Environmental sustainability, malnutrition, hunger and poverty, livelihood enhancement projects, central government funds including PMNRF, sanitation, art & culture, and vocational skills received more than Rs. 2000 crores each and together contributed to another 29.4% of the expenditure. Safe drinking water, women empowerment, natural resources conservation, gender equality, animal welfare, orphanages, armed forces (veterans, war widows, etc.), special education, SwachchBharathKosh, sports, technology incubators, senior citizens welfare, agroforestry, slum area development, and socio-economic inequalities are the other sectors in which CSR amount is used. These sectors accounted for <9% of the CSR expenditure. For the remaining expenditure (~3%), companies have not disclosed the details of the projects.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Effect on Teaching and Learning: Evidence from an Emerging Economy

This study examined the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the effect of CSR initiatives on teaching and learning from teachers, students, and heads' perspectives. The study relied on in-depth interviews and focus-group discussions to obtain data. The participating schools were selected through a stratified sampling technique, with the individual respondents purposively sampled. Interviews and discussions were tape-recorded and subsequently transcribed, sorted to identify central and recurrent themes in the data. The study showed that corporate bodies have contributed immensely to the teaching and learning processes through improved school infrastructural facilities. It also found that CSR activities have enhanced teaching and learning processes. Thus, resulting in improved quality of teaching delivery, students' academic performance and beneficiary schools' societal status. The findings, however, focused mainly on the perspectives of teachers, students, and heads of schools. The findings are expected to maximize the effective deployment of CSR resources in education service and infrastructure provision in less-developed countries. The results are expected to engender further debate among corporations and other relevant stakeholders on the need for concerted efforts in tackling the school infrastructure deficit prevalent in less-developed nations. This study is one of its kinds on the effect of CSR initiatives on teaching and learning from direct beneficiaries' perspectives within the African context. This study also provides evidence of the need for a deliberate effort to encourage private-sector investment in school infrastructure.
 Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Education financing, Emerging Economy, Teaching and Learning

Influence of corporate social responsibility on firm’s performance during COVID-19: Evidence of the emerging markets

This study analyzed how corporate social responsibility (CSR) affected business performance during the pandemic. The epidemic has allowed businesses to move closer to authenticity, present practical CSR applications, and assist in the urgently needed solutions to environmental and social issues. The effectiveness of CSR initiatives has been evaluated from the CSR activities carried towards several stakeholders, including employees, clients, investors, members of the community, the environment, and suppliers. The effectiveness of a company is evaluated from both financial and non-financial viewpoints. The data has been collected using a self-administered questionnaire from Gujarat, India’s most enterprising state. The data was collected after the COVID-19 impact was reduced in India from January 2020 to May 2020. The CSR activities affecting stakeholders like employees, investors, and suppliers had a favorable effect on the company’s financial and non-financial performance, whereas CSR activities affecting customers just had a favorable impact on the company’s financial performance. This article aids in determining whether CSR initiatives add value, particularly in trying times.

Exploring the effects of prospective corporate social responsibility on firm performance: the mediating role of innovation

ABSTRACT When corporate social responsibility (CSR) plays not only the role of respondent to consumer expectations and government policy, but further connects to innovation output and operating performance, it is likely that prospective CSR will become a forward-looking strategy and operating guideline of the firm. Given the social commentary on enterprise strategic arrangements in relation to environmental protection, green investment, labour rights, and the global concern over CSR, this study integrates a firm’s prospective CSR, innovation, and operating performance into a conceptual framework, taking firms in Taiwan’s technology and manufacturing industry as its survey target. Structural equational modelling is adopted in this research to analyse the response data (n = 230) by applying stakeholder theory, the value chain concept, and the resource-based view. The test results of the conceptual model show that internal CSR, external CSR, and environmental and social CSR benefit firms’ innovation performance through different levels of influence. The effects of CSR initiatives on firm operating performance vary, mediated by the degree of innovation. The importance of knowledge management (KM) related to CSR is identified and explored in this study. KM helps generate innovation and sustainability through distinct integrative CSR implementation practices.

The contribution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to student enrollment and performance in Ghana

PurposeFinancing is a major obstacle to achieving quality education for all persons of school-going age in less-developed countries. Consequently, corporate institutions through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are increasingly becoming government partners in financing education sector projects. The effect of these CSR interventions on education funding gap, school enrollment and academic performance is yet to be adequately evaluated, hence the reason for this study.Design/methodology/approachThis study used in-depth interviews and focus group discussions on examining the contributions of CSR initiatives to school funding, enrollment and academic performance from the viewpoint of teachers, students and heads of schools. The interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, reviewed and sorted according to key and recurrent themes.FindingsThe study shows that CSR interventions have contributed to student enrollment in beneficiary schools, improved academic and core-curricular performances of students. Funding gaps in schools have also being unraveled through this study which will inform policy decisions going forward. However, the informal financiers may have other reasons unknown to the resource recipients for investing in the education sector.Research limitations/implicationsThe research only considered the perspectives of teachers, students, pupils and heads of schools on the effect of CSR interventions on enrollment and performance. The views of CSR initiators (corporations), opinion leaders and other stakeholders of the schools are reserved for future research.Practical implicationsIt is therefore imperative that managers of school systems are cautious in establishing exchange relationship with informal financiers as there may be other hidden reasons behind the corporate support to the beneficiary schools.Originality/valueThe addition of other stakeholders' perspective on the effect of CSR initiatives on school enrollment and students' performance is a novelty.

Bank customers’ preferences and responses to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Ghana

 The study seeks to investigate Ghanaian bank customers’ ranked preference for corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and determine which initiative has the greatest effect on attitude and behaviour toward banks. A sample of 384 retail bank customers is employed in the study. Applying a one-way MANOVA and two uni-variate ANOVAs, the study finds that customers have the highest preference for corporate philanthropy initiatives, followed by customer-centric and community volunteering initiatives. Additionally, the overall effects of CSR initiatives on customers’ attitude and behavioural intentions toward bank brands are found to be significant. More specifically, the study finds, using a ScheffA© post-hoc test, that corporate philanthropy initiative have the greatest effect on both attitude and behavioural intentions towards bank brands. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the best type of CSR initiative that retail banks should apply to stimulate customers’ attitude and behaviour towards their brands in Ghana is corporate philanthropy initiatives.

A Study on Effect of CSR Initiatives of Two Wheeler Industry on Consumer Buying Behavior in Nepal

Recently, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become one of the most influential factors in automobile industry in the world. It has gained a high focus of companies, government and NGOs in around the world. This research article analyzes the essence of social responsibility from consumer perspective in automobile industry in Nepal. The study is based on responses of consumers of automobiles trading companies. The study analyses the effect of CSR activities in customers buying behaviour and how they perceive it. This effect of consumer buying behaviour has been analyzed through respondents’ views through the questionnaire. From the research analysis, it is concluded that the consumers are only aware about the CSR activities of Bajaj, HERO, HONDA and YAMAHA while they are unaware about the activities of TVS, MAHINDRA, SUZUKI, KTM DUKE, ROYAL ENFIELD and HARTFORD. Such awareness has low impact on buying behaviour of the consumers. Consumers are more concerned about the price, mileage and financing facilities rather than the CSR activities. The companies are following the CSR activities just to build the favorable image in the minds of consumers. Low awareness of consumers in CSR has direct impact on environmental and social development. Nepal Government and responsible bodies like NADA (Nepal Automobile Dealer Association should focus enacting compulsion CSR building activities through the dealers.

Corporate Social Responsibility of Mining Industries

Historically, the mining industry has taken a 'devil may care' attitude to the impacts of its operations; operating in areas without social legitimacy, causing major devastation and then leaving when an area has been exhausted of all economically valuable resources. Cost benefit language has often been used to excuse the damage caused in one place because it is outweighed by the overall financial benefits.However, in recent years the global mining industry has addressed its social and environmental responsibilities; numerous factors have contributed to this, and the extractive industry is key in debates about social and environmental sustainability. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes of mining companies tend to focus on community initiatives as their impact in economic, social and environmental terms is felt greatest at the local level.However, the effectiveness of CSR initiatives in the oil, gas and mining sectors has been increasingly questioned. While multinational mining companies have 'remodeled' themselves as good corporate citizens there is little evidence as to how this recognition of the need to address sustainability issues has affected communities, and whether community development initiatives have been effective in contributing to more sustainable communities. There is some risk that in undertaking CSR a dependency on the company will develop. Whether intentional or unintentional this can have serious consequences for the dependant community, particularly after the mine closes.This paper aims to examine the community development approaches of large scale mining companies, with particular reference to how they may engender community dependency. The paper begins with a review of CSR in the mining industry, corporate community initiatives and the problem of mining dependency at a national, regional and local level.

Lost in Translation? The Prevalence and Performance Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility in Franchising

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is much discussed by researchers and executives and often occupies a prominent position on corporate Internet sites. Yet, little is known about CSR initiatives in franchising, although there are significant organizational differences between corporate firms and franchised chains. Building on the strategic view of CSR and using data from 76 franchise systems, this study explores the prevalence and performance outcomes of CSR in franchising. We focus on system‐specific, industry, and competitive factors that determine the degree to which franchise systems behave in a socially responsible manner and on performance effects of CSR initiatives targeted toward various stakeholder groups.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the telecommunications downstream supply chains: the case of MTN in Uganda

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a top management concern in companies within different sectors and the growing telecommunications sector in developing countries cannot be an exception. This paper reports results of an investigation into the effect of CSR initiatives by MTN-Uganda on the development of local communities. The results are from a cross-sectional survey design that used two 5-Likert survey instruments The analysis of data used descriptive and relational statistics where it was revealed that CSR initiatives were in a significant way positively related to community development. The results compare well with international findings and suggestions for policy and management essential for purchasing managers as well as other stakeholders are presented.