Perceptions Of Corporate Social Responsibility Research Articles

From personal to corporate social responsibility: (de)individuation in luxury retailing

PurposeThe New York Times has suggested replacing sustainable fashion with responsible fashion, emphasizing the need for joint efforts by both individual consumers and retailers to take responsibility for their own decisions and actions. This study seeks to investigate the mechanism that activates individuals' personal social responsibility (PSR) and its association with their perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) from a responsible luxury fashion retailer.Design/methodology/approachAn online experiment was conducted with a nationwide US sample of luxury consumers who were randomly assigned to either individuation or deindividuation groups. Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) and multi-group SEM were employed to test the hypotheses.FindingsIndividuals' universalism positively affected PSR, which then enhanced their recognition of a responsible luxury retailer’s CSR and led to a greater willingness to pay a premium. More importantly, the positive effect of universalism on PSR was strengthened when consumers’ unique individuality, rather than their deindividuated state, was emphasized. Moreover, the moderating effect of individuation was indirectly transmitted through PSR to perceived CSR, hence reinforcing the relationship between PSR and CSR.Originality/valueThis study significantly advances existing scholarship on sustainable luxury retailing and adds rigor to deindividuation theory by demonstrating the central role of PSR and the moderating effect of individuation in enhancing recognition of a luxury fashion retailer’s CSR commitments. The findings provide luxury fashion retailers with communication and marketing strategies that highlight consumers' unique individuality to more effectively activate their sense of personal responsibility and thereby increase their recognition of the retailer’s CSR.

CSR perceptions and practices in small hotels in urban cities

PurposeThis study aims to examine the perception and practices related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implemented in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), focussing on small hotels in London.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative research design comprising detailed semi-structured interviews was employed with 12 small hotel owner-managers in central London and its outskirts. The study adopts a social constructionist approach to explore CSR perspectives and practices, along with a social capital framework to investigate how CSR is perceived at the individual level and consequently manifested into CSR practices.FindingsThe findings indicate that a small hotel’s implementation of CSR is influenced by long-term versus short-term considerations, as well as socio-economic and socio-political conditions. Individual-level factors, like hoteliers’ CSR conceptualisation and personal and business values, affect CSR adoption in small hotels. Lastly, institutional-level factors, such as ineffective institutional participation and the hotelier’s cultural background against the cosmopolitan context of a big city, have contributed to a muted response to socially responsible issues.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was conducted with a limited sample of 12 participants from small hotels in London and its outskirts, which may limit the generalisability of the findings. Future research could enhance these findings by involving a larger and more diverse group of participants from various urban areas, potentially employing a quantitative research approach for broader applicability. This study’s insights can guide policymakers in educating small business owners on CSR benefits and implementation. It also proposes how governments could encourage sustainable practices among small hotels seeking to enhance their reputation. Moreover, these findings enable small businesses to develop their stakeholder strategies for greater CSR initiatives.Originality/valueThis study integrates social capital theory into investigating CSR in small hotels in London, broadening the literature on CSR perception and integration, particularly in SMEs and the hospitality sector.

Recreational marijuana: Ethical positions and consumption status in explaining attitudes, perceived law ethicalness, and perceived corporate social responsibility

AbstractDrawing from the Ethics Position theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study was conducted with a comprehensive four‐part goal. It seeks to explore the moderating influences of the consumption status and ethical positions in elucidating (i) individuals' attitude toward recreational marijuana consumption, (ii) individuals' perceived ethical stance regarding recreational marijuana legalization, (iii) individuals' CSR perception of firms operating within the marijuana industry often deemed as morally contentious, and (iv) the interrelationships among the aforementioned variables. Based on a sample of 411 Canadians and two grouping variables, ANOVA tests and a structural Equation Modeling were used to test the research hypotheses. The results show that individuals' attitudes toward the consumption of marijuana, perceived ethicalness of legalizing it, and perceived CSR significantly vary across the three groups of consumption status (i.e., non‐consumer, occasional, and regular) and the four groups of ethical positions (i.e., absolutism, exceptionism, situationism, and subjectivism). The SEM results, however, show that, except for a few cases, there were no notable variations in the model's path coefficients among the identified groups. This study has intriguing implications for academicians, practitioners, politicians, managers, social welfare activists, and other stakeholders.

Does CSR Perception Matter to Brand Loyalty? The Mediating Roles of Brand Trust and Brand Image

It is no secret that the grocery retail industry has played a critical role in food security, nutrition and sustainability, but what happens if these practices result in food waste? Recent reports suggest that supermarkets may contribute to this global issue by using unethical promotion strategies that lead to consumers buying more food than they need. This not only affects the environment but also has the potential to damage brand loyalty. To address these issues, this study aims to determine whether the three dimensions of consumer Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) perceptions create more positive outcomes, such as brand trust, image and loyalty, in the Malaysian grocery retail sector. Grounded in stakeholder and resource-based view theories, scholars support the notion that brands need to embrace purpose and sustainability to fulfil their responsibility to stakeholders and enhance their competitive advantage. A multistage sampling technique was used with 536 Malaysian grocery retail consumers. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) results revealed that consumer CSR perception matters to brand loyalty, with the mediating effects of brand trust and image. These findings have theoretical and practical implications for supermarkets and policymakers seeking to improve the effectiveness of CSR activities and brand loyalty.

Can the consumer perception of corporate social responsibility be saved? An examination into the effects of corporate greenwashing on the consumer and financial market

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence that the occurrence of greenwashing has on the consumer perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach This paper observed the market indication that a consistent undermining of authentic commitment to CSR taints consumer perception. Investigating how the motivations behind greenwashing contribute to the presentation of CSR was the first means of examining the market forces. Consumer orientation was used as a guiding principle to consider the short- and long-term perspective of a greenwasher. Findings Individual instances of greenwashing contribute to a collective deterioration of marketplace trust in the promises of CSR. The negative influence on CSR is not isolated to the greenwashing perpetrator but casts a wider effect. The consequences of greenwashing are not isolated but widely dispersed. Originality/value Whilst much of the literature focuses on the stigmatisation of individual firms, it is crucial to note how marketplace trust is eroded. In addition, the perception of CSR-related regulations is for example influenced but rarely recognised as a consequence of greenwashing behaviour.

Consumer Citizenship Behavior in Online/Offline Shopping Contexts: Differential Impact of Consumer Perceived Value and Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility

The digital era has profoundly reshaped consumer behavior, with social media and e-commerce platforms revolutionizing shopping experiences. This study integrates interviews with questionnaire survey to investigate the nuanced differences in consumer citizenship behavior (CCB) across online and offline shopping contexts, as well as the influence of consumer perceived value (CPV) and consumer perceived corporate social responsibility (CPCSR). Through the use of multiple regression and permutation tests to analyze the interplay between consumer perception and CCB, the study reveals the following: (1) CPV positively influences all four dimensions of CCB, while CPCSR significantly impacts only recommendation and feedback; (2) the influence of CPV on dimensions other than recommendation and of CPCSR on dimensions other than helping varies significantly between online and offline contexts. These results enhance our understanding of consumer behavior and offer actionable insights for businesses to build and enhance consumer connections in the digital age.

Impact of corporate social responsibility on employee loyalty: Mediating role of person-organization fit and employee trust.

The study explores the impact of employee perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in improving employee loyalty by examining the direct and indirect role of person-organization fit and employee trust. A convenient sampling technique was employed to collect the data sample. A total of 338 questionnaires were collected at three different China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in Pakistan. The SmartPLS-3 was used to test the study hypotheses. The results revealed that CSR positively and significantly influenced employee loyalty. The findings indicated a partial mediating impact of P-O fit and employee trust in the relationship between CSR and employee loyalty. Discussions, implications, limitations, and future research direction are also given.

The Impact of Company Field Trips and Representative Image on Students’ CSR Knowledge Sharing Intentions

This study examines the effect of company field trips on Vietnamese university students’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) awareness and their intentions to share CSR-related content. Utilizing pre- and postvisit surveys among 136 students, the research reveals that these trips significantly enhance students’ understanding of CSR, particularly its ethical dimensions, and encourage them to share CSR information through social media and word-of-mouth. The research also finds that the perceived image of the company representative plays a critical role in shaping students’ intentions to disseminate CSR information, with complex interactions affecting their overall CSR perceptions. These findings underscore the importance of field trips in CSR education and suggest that both companies and educational institutions should focus on ethical and legal aspects of CSR communication to maximize its impact.

Corporate Social Responsibility's Impact on Purchase Intention: The Role of Involvement

As education levels rise, consumers become more aware of their consumption choices, and the flow of information becomes increasingly transparent, the significance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has grown in public and corporate spheres. This heightened attention reflects a growing consensus on the pivotal role CSR plays in shaping consumer behaviors, particularly their purchase intentions. In this evolving landscape, understanding the impact of CSR on consumer purchase decisions has become critically important for businesses aiming to align their values with consumer expectations and foster loyalty. This study leverages expectation theory and rationality theory to construct a comprehensive model that examines the influence of CSR on consumer purchase intentions. By delving into how consumers perceive CSR activities and the extent to which these perceptions influence their willingness to buy products from socially responsible companies, the research aims to provide valuable insights for businesses looking to enhance their CSR strategies. The research methodology included the distribution of questionnaires to a broad audience, resulting in 426 valid responses. Through a rigorous analytical process involving exploratory factor analysis for reliability, alongside correlation and regression analyses, the study sought to validate the hypothesis that CSR and consumer involvement have a positive impact on purchase intentions. Notably, the study also explored the moderating effect of consumer involvement in the relationship between CSR perceptions and purchase intentions. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between CSR initiatives and consumer purchase intentions, underscoring the importance of companies engaging in socially responsible practices. Moreover, the degree of consumer involvement was found to enhance the positive impact of CSR on purchase intentions, suggesting that more engaged consumers are likely to place greater value on CSR efforts when making purchasing decisions.

Skeletons in the closet: How and when internal and external corporate social responsibility affect employees' internal whistleblowing behaviors

AbstractThe micro‐level corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature has underscored the economic benefits of an organization's CSR investments, such as bolstering employees' organizational commitment and improving work performance. Yet, research on the potential influence of CSR in fostering socially oriented outcomes among employees has been rather scarce. This study aims to investigate the influence of CSR on employees' internal whistleblowing behaviors and the underlying mechanisms. A three‐time‐point survey was distributed across the service, manufacturing, construction, and financial insurance industries in Chinese enterprises. The findings reveal that both internal and external CSR positively impact employees' internal whistleblowing behaviors through the mediating role of moral courage, with internal CSR demonstrating a stronger effect. Organizational loyalty positively moderates the mediating role of moral courage in the relationship between internal CSR/external CSR and internal whistleblowing behaviors. Theoretically, this study presents a pioneering endeavor in establishing the link between CSR and employees' internal whistleblowing behaviors, underscoring the significant role that employees' perceptions of CSR play in enhancing societal well‐being and ethical governance. Besides contributing to the micro‐level CSR literature, this study also provides practical insights for organizations seeking to leverage CSR as a tool for promoting employees' ethical conduct.

Impact of perceived CSR practices on customers loyalty. The mediating role of reputation and customer satisfaction

AbstractCustomers' loyalty is considered as an important factor ensuring overall organizational success in the long run. The purpose of this investigation is to determine how customer loyalty in Pakistan's banking sector affected by perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice. To end this, the present study collected data from 378 respondents using convenience sampling technique. To test proposed hypothesis, the study used correlation analysis, regression analysis, and Baron and Kenny method used to test mediation effect of variables together with the Sobel test. The result of the study shows a significant positive association among perceived CSR, bank reputation and customers loyalty and customer satisfaction. This study further shows that bank reputation has a mediating effect between perceived CSR and customer loyalty, but the relationship between CSR practices and customer loyalty has a negative effect on customer satisfaction. It was found that there was no mediating effect of degree. The findings highlight the importance of allocating resources to CSR initiatives and reputation management as a means of increasing customer loyalty. The results provide an important academic addition to the current body of research on the impact of CSR on the development of customer loyalty, with a particular focus on the Pakistani banking industry.

Pengaruh Job Satisfaction, Perception Corporate Social Responbility, Organizational Trust, Artificial Intelligence Terhadap Employee Performance Karyawan RS An-Nisa Group Tangerang

This study aims to determine the effect of Job Satisfaction, Perception Corporate Social Responsibility, Organizational Trust, Artificial Intelligence on employees of An-Nisa Group Hospital Tangerang. The independent variables in this study are Job Satisfaction, Perception Corporate Social Responsibility, Organizational Trust, Artificial Intelligence and for the dependent variable in this study is Employee Performance. The method used in this research is quantitative method and the data used is primary data obtained directly from the results of distributing questionnaires and measured using a Likert Scale. This research was conducted at An-Nisa Group Hospital Tangerang with a total of 150 respondents. The data analysis technique uses SPSS. The data in this study were collected using a questionnaire and then processed using the SPSS program. The results showed that the variable Job Satisfaction (X1), Perception of Corporate Social Responsibility (X2), Artificial Intelligence (X4) had a positive influence on the variable Employee Performance (Y). While the Organizational Trust (X3) variable does not have a positive influence on the Employee Performance (Y) variable.
 Keywords: job satisfaction, perception corporate social responbility, organizational trust, artificial intelligence, employee performance.

Flying responsibly: effects of perceived corporate social responsibility on attitudes and behaviors of employees in the European aviation industry

PurposeThis study aims to examine how corporate social responsibility (CSR) affected the attitudes and behaviors of employees in the European aviation industry amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore any moderating effect of empathetic leadership.Design/methodology/approachBased on the social identity and social exchange theories, a research model was developed and tested against empirical data collected from employees of the European aviation industry, in 2021. Structural equation modeling and regression analyses were used for testing the hypothesized causal relationships.FindingsPerceived CSR is directly related to work engagement and indirectly associated with work engagement and job insecurity via organizational pride. The presence of an empathetic leader does not intensify the effects of perceptions of CSR on organizational pride. Work engagement, in turn, impacts organizational citizenship behavior, while no such effect of job insecurity is supported.Originality/valueThis study provides insight into the underlying mechanisms via which CSR affects employees during a crisis. It, also, has significant implications on human resources management within the industries severely affected by the pandemic.

Beyond taste: examining sustainable value, perceived CSR and consumer behaviour in the restaurant industry

PurposeAs perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become one of the long-term sustainable development strategies for many companies, this paper investigates the interrelationships between sustainable values (SVs), perceived CSR and customer behaviour in the restaurant industry.Design/methodology/approachTo gather data needed to meet the study aims, we conducted an online survey of restaurant patrons in China, and used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse the proposed models and test the hypotheses.FindingsThe obtained findings confirm that the three studied SV dimensions (equality, respect for nature and shared responsibility) have positive effects on perceived CSR, which in turn significantly affects word of mouth (WOM). Moreover, perceived CSR mediates the relationship between the three SVs and WOM but has no impact on the relationship between SVs and revisit intention.Practical implicationsThe results of this study have practical implications for managers in the restaurant industry. Restaurant managers can prioritize their CSR efforts based on the relative importance of SV dimensions, which is useful in generating positive WOM.Originality/valueEven though the importance of CSR is widely recognised, it is insufficiently studied from the perspective of restaurant customers. This research not only addresses this gap, but also expands the current understanding of SVs and their impact on CSR.

Mediating role of green culture and green commitment in implementing employee ecological behaviour

PurposeThe present work investigated the effect of corporate social responsibility and top management support on employee ecological behaviour (EEB) with the mediating role of green culture and green commitment. Social identity theory (SIT) was used to describe the association between green culture, green commitment and EEB. Further, a conceptual model that summarises the interaction between perceived corporate social responsibility, top management support, green commitment, green culture and the adoption of ecological behaviour was developed.Design/methodology/approachThe paper opted for a quantitative design using convenience sampling by collecting the data through a structured questionnaire gathered from 308 academics working in five Malaysian higher education institutions.FindingsCorporate social responsibility and top management support positively influence green culture and commitment. Moreover, green commitment positively influenced EEB and fully mediated the relationship between corporate social responsibility and EEB and between top management support and EEB.Research limitations/implicationsThe academic staff of universities was the target population of this research. Nevertheless, universities have a diverse population with complex activities that can affect the implementation of a sustainable workplace within the campus. Future research should also examine non-academic staff, including administrative, technical and operational staff, due to different employees' perceptions.Originality/valueAs far as the authors know, this is the first study to assign the mediator role to green culture in a relationship between top management support and EEB amongst academic staff in the Malaysian context. Future research should consider other intervening variables that influence adopting ecological behaviour.

How does perceived corporate social responsibility affect job performance during the COVID-19 pandemic? The roles of resilience and help exchange dynamics

How does perceived corporate social responsibility affect job performance during the COVID-19 pandemic? The roles of resilience and help exchange dynamics

Firms’ corporate social irresponsibility behaviors during interplay with consumers in evolutionary game models

We employ an evolutionary game model to investigate the interaction between firms’ engagement in corporate social irresponsibility (CSI) behaviors (without violating laws) and consumers’ perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) within a consumer market. The core paradox revolves around the trade-off between firms benefiting from pursuing economic performance without adhering to social responsibility and the maximization of social welfare achieved when firms are socially responsible, and consumers possess strong CSR perception. Through an asymmetric two-population evolutionary game model, we identify two distinct scenarios of evolutionary stable strategies based on different industrial environments. Additionally, the evolution of a healthy market is contingent upon an increase in consumers’ bargaining power, although it is also influenced by the initial states of the two-group system, resulting in path dependence as a significant feature of the system’s evolutionary equilibrium. Furthermore, we observe that the added willingness to pay for CSR, while not impacting the evolutionary outcomes, could increase the likelihood of a healthy market when consumers’ bargaining power is high. These findings underscore the diverse dynamics of firms’ CSI behaviors, which depend on transaction costs, industrial structure, and consumers’ willingness to pay, offering valuable insights from a micro perspective.

Corporate social responsibility and individual behaviour.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) research can help to address some of society's grand challenges (for example, climate change, energy sustainability and social inequality). Historically, CSR research has focused on organizational-level factors that address environmental and social issues and the firm's resulting financial performance, with much less focus on individual-level factors. In response to research calls to consider the individual level of analysis, we provide a narrative review to improve our understanding of the interconnections between CSR and individual behaviour. We organize existing research around three individual-level categories: CSR perceptions, CSR attitudes and CSR behaviours. We summarize research elucidating how perceptions and attitudes influence behaviours and how organization and higher-level CSR context and individual-level CSR readiness moderate perceptions-behaviours and attitudes-behaviours relationships. We offer a conceptual model that organizes the diverse, conflicting and multidisciplinary research on the CSR-individual behaviour link and that can be used to guide future research.

Employees' positive perceptions of corporate social responsibility create beneficial outcomes for firms and their employees: Organizational pride as a mediator

AbstractWe studied employees' responses to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program implemented within the Canadian headquarters of a global consumer goods company. Our study is timely since recent studies indicate that employees place more importance on CSR activities when evaluating current or prospective employers. A novel theoretical contribution of our study is that we combine social identity theory and the theory of appraisal of emotions to better understand employee responses. We developed and tested a model that indicates that employees' evaluation and perceptions of the authenticity of their company's CSR efforts can create both firm‐beneficial (loyalty, trust in management, positive word‐of‐mouth) and employee‐beneficial outcomes (job satisfaction, emotional well‐being). The impact of CSR does not result directly—it is mediated by organizational pride. We also collected qualitative data that suggested that the company's CSR initiatives can contribute to employees' sense of meaning of their work. We discuss implications for researchers and managers, as well as limitations of the study.

Does perceived corporate social responsibility improve customer engagement - An empirical evidence from Indian banks

Does perceived corporate social responsibility improve customer engagement - An empirical evidence from Indian banks