Perceptions Of Corporate Social Responsibility Activities Research Articles

Perception of CSR Activities, Organizational Trust, and Employee Outcome: Evidence from Iraq Telecom Market in Post-Pandemic COVID-19

Purpose: This study investigates the intermediary role of organizational trust in the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee outcomes. Theoretical framework: Building on Carroll’s pyramid adapted to the unique context of Iraq, the study explores the dimensions of organizational trust, CSR initiatives, and tangible employee outcomes. Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing a quantitative approach, the research was conducted within four telecommunications firms in Iraq, involving 359 employees with at least one year of work experience. Data collection spanned from September 2021 to October 2022, achieving a commendable 97.55% response rate. Structural equation modeling, utilizing the partial least squares (PLS) method and a bootstrapping technique involving 5,000 resamples, assessed the statistical significance of hypotheses. Findings: The study reveals a subtle yet noteworthy positive influence of CSR on employee loyalty, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. Importantly, organizational trust emerges as a robust mediator, influencing employee outcomes positively. Research, Practical & Social implications: This research suggests extending the conceptual framework to diverse industry sectors and geographical settings. Additionally, the inclusion of alternative mediators, such as perceived organizational justice, warrants exploration in future studies. Originality/Value: In contrast to studies using Western-centric metrics for CSR, this research adopts an alternative conceptual framework tailored to the unique context of Iraq, contributing to a deeper understanding of the interplay between organizational trust, CSR initiatives, and employee outcomes.

Consumers' Corporate Social Responsibility Perception and Anti-Consumer Awareness: Roles of Compassion and Corporate Social Responsibility Authenticity in South Korea.

This study examines the effect of consumers' perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on their anti-consumer awareness. Specifically, this study aims to uncover the mechanisms through which the consumer's CSR perception relates to their formation of anti-consumer awareness. A survey design was adopted to test this study's hypotheses. We collected data from 310 consumers in South Korea and used path analysis and bootstrapping to test the hypotheses. Our results showed that consumers' CSR perception is negatively related to their anti-consumer awareness. Notably, consumers' perception of CSR activities is positively related to their perceptions of compassion toward organizations, which, in turn, is also positively associated with their perception of CSR authenticity. Furthermore, compassion and CSR authenticity serially mediate the negative relationship between CSR perception and anti-consumer awareness. Our findings shed light on the importance of engaging in CSR activities from consumers' perspectives. Specifically, our findings suggest that organizations need to proactively engage in CSR activities with authenticity to maintain and even further their reputation among consumers. Furthermore, by demonstrating the psychological processes of how CSR activities translate into consumers' attitudes toward the organizations, our study provides fruitful avenues for future research.

Status, Wellbeing, and Behavior at Work or in College

This paper investigates how consumers’ perceived motivations for corporate social responsibility (CSR) influence retail store re-visit intentions, and how consumers’ cultural beliefs influence consumers’ perception of CSR activities during the Covid-19 pandemic. Two studies were conducted, the first one was in 2021 when the pandemic was severe and the second was in early 2023 when the pandemic was less severe. Regression results suggest community-motivated (vs. firm-motivated) policy has a substantial positive impact on customers’ re-visit intentions. Moderated mediation models suggest perceived “fit” between CSR policy and Covid-19 mediates the impact of perceived motivation on re-visit intention. Further, results suggest that consumer collectivism and uncertainty avoidance negatively moderate the indirect effect of perceived motivation on customers’ re-visit intention when the pandemic was most severe (study 1). Moreover, the negative moderation effects on consumer revisit intention disappeared when the pandemic became less of a concern (study 2). Summarily, our results indicate consumers favored community-motivated (vs. firm-motivated) CSR policy, and as consumers’ collectivism and uncertainty avoidance increased, re-visit intention was negatively impacted, suggesting this consumer group favors social norms of reducing virus spread and avoiding potential risks by reducing store re-visits under the severe pandemic condition. Overall, the results suggest that regardless of the motivations for adopting CSR activities, managers should focus on improving the relevance and contribution of their CSR policies to help communities cope with a crisis. Other theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Corporate Social Responsibility: The Impact of Employees’ Perceptions on Organizational Citizenship Behavior through Organizational Identification

The impact of the employees’ perceptions of CSR activities on the employee-organization relationship has been little explored in the literature. This study aims to analyze the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) perceptions (Environment-related CSR; Employee-related CSR, Customer-related CSR) on organizational citizenship behavior through the mediating role of the organizational identification of employees in the hotel sector. A questionnaire was applied to a sample of 214 frontline employees who work in four- and five-star hotels. Using Model 4 of the PROCESS macro, a mediation model was designed to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that there is a mediation model that uses the effect of organizational identification in the relationship between perceptions of CSR and organizational citizenship behavior. This study concludes that an increase in identification with the organization based on environmental-related activities, employee-related activities, or customer-related activities impact on OCB. The results of this study represent contributions to the literature in the CSR field, as well as to the case of human resources managers who wish to enhance organizational citizenship behavior and identification among hotel staff.

Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility, Organizational Trust, and Corporate Reputation for Sustainable Performance

In the current study, the authors looked at how companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives affect their reputation in the community using the stakeholder theory. More specifically, it is claimed that CSR initiatives with a particular focus on employees help firms create employee trust, which is an essential component of organizational long-term sustainable performance. Administrative fairness as a boundary condition bolsters the relationship between corporate reputation and trust. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to poll Chinese restaurant managers and non-managers on a 5-point Likert scale. Structural equation modeling was used to conduct structural analyses. CSR is a significant predictor of business reputation in the Chinese restaurant industry. It has also been discovered that trust in the organization is a partial mediator between the two. Furthermore, the data show that organizational justice moderates trust in the organization and the company’s reputation. This research examines the relationship between internal stakeholders’ perceptions of CSR activities and the company’s reputation, i.e., employees, for the first time. The findings provide vital information for restaurant management to boost their reputation in the market by engaging in E-CSR activities to strengthen their internal stakeholders.

The effect of consumers’ perception of CSR activities on their purchasing behavior: the case of the Iranian automotive market

PurposeThis study aims to examine the customer’s perception of corporate social responsibility within the automotive market in Tehran, Iran, and whether it leads to a purchasing behavior directly or indirectly through support intention.Design/methodology/approachA total of 235 customers of luxury and mid-range-priced automobiles were surveyed and analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling method.FindingsRegarding luxury car owners, the authors concluded that both economical and ethical perceptions are indirectly related to purchasing behavior. Concerning mid-range-priced car buyers, both philanthropic and economical perceptions have a direct relationship with purchasing behavior, while the legal perception has an indirect relationship with purchasing behavior. The results show that Iranian car manufacturers and foreign car dealerships for both luxury and mid-range customers should focus on their economical responsibilities. The results show that luxury car manufacturers and dealerships should act ethically. With the importance of the philanthropic dimension for customers of mid-range cars, car dealerships dealing with mid-range-priced cars should focus more on their philanthropic activities. This study can help companies find better solutions to adjust their corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies to the consumers’ beliefs, gain a competitive advantage in the market and fill the knowledge gap regarding Iranian consumers.Originality/valueAlthough some research has been conducted on consumer perception and response regarding CSR in both developed and developing countries, no studies on consumer perception toward CSR have been carried out in Iran.

Raising Perceptions on Corporate Social Responsibility for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 is the United Nations development agenda for developing the economy, society, and environment. Moreover, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an emerging topic in the business world. The paper aims to pursue business students’ knowledge and perception of CSR activities linked to SDGs. The quantitative research design and descriptive research analysis were used. The data were collected from business learning students of three public universities in Bangladesh. CSR’s perception-related items positively correlated with Spearman’s Rho’s formula. The descriptive statistics revealed perceptions of CSR activities among respondents, which are directly and indirectly related to SDGs. In addition, the two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test showed a variation of perceptions among groups. The findings of this study showed respondents had an acceptable knowledge level on CSR activities. There was a positive perception of respondents on economic and social dimensions of SDGs and mainly included in philanthropic and economic fields of CSR. Besides, their consciousness of the environmental dimension related to ethical and legal activities of CSR concepts was comparatively low. Finally, favourable knowledge and perception of business studying students in CSR activities are imperative for the successful implementation of SDGs.

Influence Of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) In Building Corporate Reputation Through Employee Trust As Mediating Variable

This study aims to examine the effect of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through Employee Trust on the reputation of the company PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk. To overcome this, data was collected through questions that were disseminated online using a google form. Responses from 150 respondents with a sample of employees of PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk, then analyzed using PLS-SEM through SmartPLS3 Software. The data collected was tested using the Validity Test and Reliability Test. To find out the results of the analysis of the inner model, outer model. As for testing the hypothesis using the bootstrap method. The results of this study indicate that there is a positive influence of CSR activities and perceptions of CSR programs on the Company's Reputation. the perception of CSR activities and CSR activities will increase employee confidence to improve the company's reputation.

Effect of corporate social responsibility perception on job satisfaction

This study empirically examined the effect of the perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities on job satisfaction, as mediated by compassion and positive emotions toward work. Data were collected from 232 employees working in manufacturing, financial, telecommunications, transportation, and service industries in South Korea. The results confirm that (a) there were positive relationships between the perception of CSR activities and compassion, and between compassion and job satisfaction; (b) there were positive relationships between positive emotions toward work and job satisfaction, and between the perception of CSR activities and job satisfaction; and (c) there was a serial multiple mediation effect of compassion and positive emotions toward work on the pathway from the perception of CSR activities to job satisfaction. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Corporate social responsibility and organizational commitment: evidence from Kazakhstan

Purpose: This study aims to analyze how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) affects employees’ organizational commitment.Design / methodology / approach: Data were collected through a self-administered survey questionnaire. A total of 230 complete questionnaires were obtained from restaurant employees in Kazakhstan. The Cronbach alpha, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression were employed to examine the association among corporate social responsibility and organizational commitment.Findings: The findings reveal that employees show more commitment to organization if involved in CSR activities. Results reveal a significant positive relationship of all four perspectives of CSR with organizational commitment.Practical and Theoretical Implications: This study sheds light on the reconsideration of CSR initiatives in developing loyal employees. This study also confirms the social identity theory and suggests that employees are social actors who join the organization if it best suits their self-interests, especially in context of CSR.Originality / value: Notwithstanding the significance of CSR awareness, several studies have explored customers’ and firms’ perceptions, whereas only a few studies have explored employees’ CSR perceptions.This study deepens the knowledge and aftermath of CSR from the employees’ perception. It is pivotal to know the employees’ perceptions of CSR activities for restaurant management because employees turn CSR statements into actions. According to our best knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the impact of CSR on the organizational commitment of service sector employees in Kazakhstan.

Consumers’ Perception of CSR Activities: What Does it Mean for Companies?

Research Question: The paper develops a conceptual model for exploring the factors which impact the consumers' word of mouth (WOM) and willingness to pay (WTP) for products and services of socially responsible companies. Motivation: The paper is based on the research of Castaldo et al. (2009), Pivato et al. (2007), Rim and Kim (2016), and Jarvis et al. (2017) concerning the consumers’ perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and measurement of the effectiveness of CSR activities. Accordingly, our paper tries to provide companies with valuable information on how the consumers’ perception of CSR activities impacts the consumers’ trust, awareness, purchase intention, and future behaviour. Idea: The proposed model is based on three pillars: Perception of CSR, Moderating effects, and Willingness to pay and recommend and strives to shed light on their mutual relations. The goal is to better understand the complex mechanisms and consequences of the consumers’ perception of CSR activities of companies. Data: To verify the proposed conceptual model, a questionnaire was developed and distributed. In total, 265 respondents participated in the research. Tools: Structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis was employed to explore the relationships between defined factors. Findings: The findings illustrate that both attitudes towards CSR and CSR companies have an impact on the level of trust and purchase intention. When it comes to WTP and WOM, only the level of trust and purchase intention have an impact. Interestingly, the respondents' awareness of the companies’ CSR activities did not have an impact on WTP and WOM. The model indicates that the companies should communicate their CSR activities which will lead to greater trust and purchase intention leading to higher consumers' willingness to pay and recommend the companies’ products/services. Contribution: The study empirically explores how the perception of CSR and CSR activities potentially influences the WOM and WTP on products and services of socially responsible companies and provides a roadmap on how companies can increase the benefits of their CSR activities.

The Role of Anthropomorphic Messengers in Sustainable Participatory Corporate Social Responsibility: Focusing on Messenger’s Facial Expression and Participation Effort

This study examines the role of participation effort, focusing on the effect of anthropomorphic messengers’ facial expression on consumers’ perception in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR). CSR activities requiring consumer participation can elicit their positive responses. Although companies’ interests in participatory CSR are increasing, academic interests in this area are still insufficient. Existing studies have not provided clear results on the effective level of participation effort and its effect on consumers’ perception of CSR activities. In this context, we conducted a study that investigated the effect of participation effort, focusing on the facial expression of an anthropomorphic messenger. The study shows that participation effort has a positive relationship with the intention to participate in CSR because consumers perceive messengers with a sad facial expression as victims. However, they perceive messengers with a happy facial expression as marketing agents. Hence, participation effort decreases participation intention. Finally, we discuss the meaning of the study and propose suggestions for future research.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Individual Outcomes: The Mediating Role of Gratitude and Compassion at Work

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and activities are aimed at, executed for, and witnessed by individuals, yet CSR literature has long overlooked assessing CSR outcomes at the individual level. Previous CSR research has focused primarily on macro- and institutional-level outcomes. The current paper addresses this issue by analyzing the influence of CSR on a crucial stakeholder for hospitality organizations: their employees. Specifically, gratitude and compassion at work were tested as parallel mediators between employees’ perceptions of CSR and their well-being and organizational citizenship behavior directed toward the organization (OCBO). Drawing from the affect theory of social exchange and moral emotions, this article aims to understand how CSR leads to improving employees’ well-being and OCBO through the underlying emotional mechanisms of gratitude and compassion. Survey data from two independent samples were gathered to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed that employees’ perceptions of CSR activities had a significant positive direct effect on eudaimonic well-being but not on hedonic well-being. Gratitude mediated the relationship between perceived CSR and OCBO as well as hedonic well-being. Compassion mediated the relationship between perceived CSR and hedonic well-being as well as OCBO. Besides theoretical contributions of testing these mechanisms together in a hospitality context and evaluating the influence of CSR efforts on certain dimensions of well-being, this research will be particularly relevant to hospitality managers when formulating CSR strategies and promoting a CSR culture.

The Perception of CSR Activities in a Selected Segment of McDonald’s Customers in the Czech Republic and Its Effect on Their Purchasing Behavior—A Case Study

This case study presents the results of research which focused on the perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities by customers in a target segment of a selected fast-food chain in Czechia and its impact on their purchasing behavior. A total of 264 duly completed questionnaires were analyzed. Furthermore, the article presents the specifics of the development and fulfillment of the CSR concept in Czechia and at the same time points out differences in the implementation of the McDonald’s CSR concept at the global level compared to its implementation at the national level in the Czech environment. Statistical dependence between age as well as education and understanding the essence of CSR was proven, while no correlation was identified when it comes to gender. Among factors affecting the purchasing decision-making process in the target segment of a selected company, CSR activities (i.e., the environmental mindset of the company) rank fourth after price, quality, and recommendations from friends. The results of this research can be applied to other restaurant establishments in Czechia, taking into consideration their target segments, and used for further research into the awareness and effect of CSR on consumer purchasing behavior and its comparison at the international level.

The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Employee Commitment: Mediating role of Meaningful Work and Positive Affect

This paper aims to theoretically explain the relationships between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and employee commitment using both Social Identity Theory (SIT) and Social Exchange Theory (SET) by developing a conceptual model which incorporates mediation effects of meaningful work and positive affect. Further, this paper highlights the importance of examining employees’ perception of CSR activities in the licensed commercial banking sector. A structured questionnaire that was developed based on a comprehensive review of literature and refined using both expert opinions and a pilot survey was used for data collection. Sample comprised of 410 respondents, and a convenience sampling strategy was used to secure these responses from 13 local licensed commercial banks in Sri Lanka. Structural equation modelling was utilized to test the proposed relationships. The findings indicate that there are significant (p<0.05) positive relationships between CSR perceptions and employee commitment. Furthermore, meaningful work and positive affect were found to partially mediate the relationship between CSR and employee commitment. In terms of theoretical significance this study filled a gap by utilizing both SIT and SET in explaining relationships between CSR perceptions and employee commitment. Findings also contribute to the extant empirical literature on CSR perceptions and employee commitment particularly in the banking sector. Moreover, this study adds new insights on mediating capability of psychologically related variables.

Client Awareness and Perception of CSR Activities in Islamic and Conventional Banks: a Survey in Bahrain

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is considered one of the highest priorities of corporations and is one of the hottest topics in academic research, that several researchers found positive significant relationship between company’s performance and CSR activities. The current study aims to explore the clients’ awareness and perception of CSR in Islamic and conventional banks across Bahrain. The study surveyed 305 clients, 175 from the Islamic banks, and 130 from the conventional banks. The results indicated that the clients of Islamic banks are more aware of their banks CSR activities than the clients of the conventional banks. With regard to the clients’ perception of their banks CSR, it has been found that Islamic banks clients have more positive perception about their banks’ CSR than those of the conventional banks. Additionally, the results indicated that there are statistically significant differences in the clients’ awareness and perception of banks’ CSR activities when the clients are grouped according to age, income, education, and bank type.

The effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employee well-being in the hospitality industry

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine hotel industry employees’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the influence of these perceptions on their quality of working life (QWL), job satisfaction and overall quality of life. By applying need satisfaction theory and bottom–up spillover theory, the study hypothesizes that employees’ overall quality of life is affected by QWL and job satisfaction. CSR serves as an antecedent to the hypothesis.Design/methodology/approachThe target population for this study consisted of hotel industry employees working for companies in which CSR practices are conducted. The data collection method involved distributing a survey questionnaire. Using a sample drawn from employees in upscale hotels in South Korea, 442 usable responses were analyzed using a SEM approach.FindingsThe results revealed that philanthropic and economic CSR positively affected QWL, while legal and ethical CSR did not affect QWL. The study also confirms the need satisfaction theory, which suggests that employees’ QWL and job satisfaction affect their overall quality of life.Originality/valueDespite the importance of CSR perception, most of the previous studies in this area have examined company and customer perspectives, while only limited research has examined employees’ CSR perceptions. The results of this research enrich knowledge of the outcome of CSR from the employee perspective. Information about employees’ perceptions of CSR activities is valuable for hotel management as it is the employees who turn CSR statements to actions.

The Effect of Employees’ Perceptions of CSR Activities on Employee Deviance: The Mediating Role of Anomie

This study hypothesizes that employees’ positive perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities at the individual level have a negative effect on employee deviance—a negative job-related behavior—and that anomie plays a mediating role in this relationship. In order to verify the relationship, this study conducts an empirical analysis with a questionnaire survey on employees of firms that implement CSR activities at the company level. Based on Social identity theory, this study examines the causal relationship between the employees’ perceptions of CSR activities and their deviance, and mechanisms by which anomie decreases in the process. The findings are as follows. First, employees’ perceptions of CSR activities had a negative effect on employee deviance. Second, employees’ perceptions of CSR activities had a negative effect on anomie. Third, anomie had a positive effect on employee deviance. Fourth, anomie fully mediated the relationship between employees’ perceptions of CSR activities and employee deviance. This study is the first to document this relationship, which has great practical and academic significance, as it indicates the importance for companies to consider employees’ perceptions of CSR activities. In addition, the study identifies the mediating role of anomie as mentioned above. The results suggest that methodological considerations of CSR awareness enhancement at the company level be discussed more in depth, helping top management and middle managers understand that enhancing employees’ positive perceptions of CSR activities should be the first priority for reducing collective normlessness under the pressure of goal attainment and resolving ethical conflicts among employees.

The influence of cultural aspects on public perception of the importance of CSR activity and purchase intention in Korea

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is important for successful businesses; thus, companies spend large amounts of money participating in CSR activities. However, the fact that no single activity can ensure consumers' favorable perception or greater purchase intention leaves room for consideration of consumers' individual-specific factors leveraging the impact of CSR activities. This study suggests that consumers' cultural characteristics, namely, individual-specific factors, could affect their perception of CSR activities. Using the five cultural dimensions introduced by Hofstede, this study reveals that the different cultural characteristics of Koreans tend to influence the importance they attribute to CSR activities (in economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic dimensions). The study also shows that the differences in the perceived importance of each CSR dimension could influence consumers' purchase intention to buy products made by for-profit companies that are fulfilling social responsibilities. The theoretical and practical implications of CSR for public relations are also discussed.

Does Stakeholder Perception of Firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility Affect Firm Performance?

In the present-day business landscape characterised by global competition, demanding customers and depleting natural resources, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an important strategy for corporations for creating competitive advantage. CSR involves a corporation’s commitment to align performance (revenue growth and profit) motives with fulfillment of social, ethical, community and environmental obligations. Researchers have found a positive correlation between stakeholder perceptions of firm’s CSR performance and financial performance, assuming other factors as constant. This paper, based on analysis of Wal-Mart’s performance from 2001 to 2011, found, seemingly significant negative perceptions of CSR activities of corporations result in lower performance. Once formed, changing negative perceptions is often difficult and the effort involves considerable amount of resources with questionable outcomes. This study has come to the conclusion that being a good ‘Corporate Citizen’ and creating positive stakeholder perceptions is a better strategic approach for firm’s continuing success.