Social Responsibility Research Articles

Examining Consumer Purchase Intentions in China Through Entrepreneurial Endorsement and Corporate Social Responsibility Marketing

This article explores the synergistic relationship between corporate social responsibility initiatives and marketing strategies within enterprises, highlighting their innovative development. Grounded in stakeholder theory, the study investigates how corporate social responsibility marketing influences consumer purchase intentions. It classifies corporate social responsibility marketing activities into three dimensions: (1) social welfare, (2) environmental protection, and (3) consumer rights advocacy. The research confirms the moderating influence of entrepreneurial endorsement on the relationship between corporate social responsibility marketing and consumer perception. Furthermore, it identifies consumer perception as a mediating factor between corporate social responsibility marketing efforts and consumer purchase intentions. This study contributes to the expansion of marketing research by addressing theoretical, practical, and methodological aspects of the impact of corporate social responsibility marketing on consumer behavior.

The Double-Coded Self in Higher Education: Student Self-Formation and Social Sustainability

ABSTRACT Education for social sustainability rests on (1) individual learning agency, and (2) graduates prepared in relations between the individual and collective society, in the context of open ontology and emerging ecological, social and political challenges. The self-determining learner in higher education, with antecedents in Confucian self-cultivation and Bildung, is engaged in conscious self-formation, incorporating reflexive autonomous agency, the will to learn, and immersion in knowledge and relational experiences. Self-making is pervasive in other spheres of life suggesting that it can become integral to higher education. The article reviews self-formation, and individual/social relations, in two traditions: the Chinese civilisational zone and Euro-America. It focuses especially on the double-coded self in each tradition (the reflexive coupling of the inner self and social self), emerging forms of individuality in China, and Michel Foucault’s account of the impact of early Christianity in separating the individual and social in Euro-America. In the Sinic configuration, individual growth and social responsibility are well understood but the individual is crowded by layers of social demands. Euro-America gives students more room but renders the social domain opaque: individual detachment from social responsibility is rife. What is needed is a half-way house: students free from coercion who are prepared in their duties to the community.

Enhancing civic engagement through podcasting: a modern approach for higher education

ABSTRACT Civic Education in higher education often struggles with student disengagement, largely due to traditional, less interactive teaching methods. This study explores the integration of podcasts as an innovative tool to enhance civic engagement among students. Grounded in andragogical principles, podcasts offer a dynamic platform for active participation, fostering critical discussions and reflections on pressing social issues. Conducted within the Faculty of Languages, Arts, and Culture at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia, this research involved students from the English Education Program and employed a qualitative descriptive approach to assess the impact of podcasts on critical thinking, collaborative learning, and the understanding of civic concepts and social responsibility. The findings indicate that podcasts significantly enrich the learning experience, equipping students to become more critical, socially conscious citizens who actively contribute to societal change. This study contributes to the field by highlighting the effectiveness of innovative teaching strategies in Civic Education, particularly the use of podcasts to strengthen civic engagement and social responsibility in higher education. The implications of this research underscore the need for educators to adopt more engaging and interactive methods, thereby equipping students with the essential skills and knowledge to actively participate in civic life and address social issues effectively.

Implications of Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Entrepreneurship—Solutions to Combat Climate Change

We face significant challenges related to sustainability and social responsibility, so sustainable entrepreneurship is a key way to help address these issues. How can sustainable entrepreneurship contribute to combating climate change? This is the question from which this research started. The paper proposes important research directions to develop innovative and sustainable solutions tailored to the problem. By investigating the impact of different innovation strategies, the study aims to provide concrete recommendations to all stakeholders. Recognizing that effective climate action requires collaboration among government, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and citizens, the study emphasizes the importance of raising awareness, education, and access to information. Using fsQCA software version 4.1, the research analyzes various innovation strategies to develop tailored, sustainable solutions. The findings offer concrete recommendations for stakeholders, aiming to facilitate the implementation of sustainable practices and foster a supportive framework for green initiatives. Ultimately, this study contributes to efforts aimed at reducing the carbon footprint and promoting a more responsible economic model in Romania. The results not only provide concrete recommendations for relevant actors but also outline a strategic vision on how a more responsible economic model can be promoted in Romania, with the potential to influence sustainable development policies and inspire future initiatives.

Enhancing Supply Chain Sustainability and Reliability Through WSM and TOPSIS: A Symmetrical Real-World Case Study

Large corporations have recently demonstrated an increasing propensity to enhance the sustainability and reliability of their supply chains in order to comply with environmental regulations and improve customer satisfaction through on-time demand fulfillment. There are two phases to this study: mathematical modeling and model solution using precise techniques. In the first step, a mixed-integer linear programming model is developed. This model is an improvement of an existing supply chain model. Further, our suggested strategy is verified by using numerical data based on three criteria and four suppliers. The goals of the proposed model are to maximize supply chain reliability, economic profit, and social responsibilities by taking suppliers’ priorities into account. Modeled as a mixed-integer linear programming problem, the constraints on the problem include budget, emission, demand, allocation, facility, and shipping capacity. Power symmetry and information symmetry are incorporated in order to perform symmetric analysis. The weighted sum method (WSM) and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) are the two methods used in the second step of solving the model to identify the best supplier. In order to evaluate how well the proposed methodology was applied, a practical case was considered and implemented.

Green human resource management and corporate social responsibility as drivers of organizational performance: mediating effects of employee engagement and corporate reputation in Vietnam

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between green human resource management (GHRM), corporate social responsibility (CSR) and organizational performance (OP) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by examining corporate reputation (CR) and employee engagement (EE) as mediators in Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach This study used the quantitative method with 458 valid responses from mid- to senior-level managers and chief executive officers (CEOs) were obtained and used for data analysis. To analyze and explore the relationships between constructs and mediators, SmartPLS version 4.0 structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data of the SMEs of Vietnam in 2023. Findings The results showed strong and positive relationships between GHRM, CSR and OP in SMEs, with CR and EE serving as significant mediators. Originality/value This research provides new insights into how GHRM and CSR enhance OP by using an integrated model that examines how CR and EE mediate this relationship. It demonstrates that businesses implementing GHRM and CSR can promote sustainable development among stakeholders, leading to improved OP in Vietnam’s dynamic economic environment. The findings have practical implications for executives and managers, emphasizing the need to balance stakeholder, environmental and social interests to optimize GHRM and CSR initiatives and foster sustainable growth. This study’s insights could significantly influence SMEs in the Vietnamese economy.

Artificial Intelligence and Corporate Social Responsibility: Synergies, Challenges, and Future Directions

Corporate social responsibility, or CSR, has been the subject of an increasing amount of interest with the infusion of artificial intelligence or AI. AI may open up much-needed improvements in CSR practice, including better decision-making, transparency, and sustainable benefits, but it also poses challenges related to the ethical concerns of data privacy, bias, and accountability. This paper focuses on how an AI-based approach enhances CSR activities and identifies risks embedded in AI adoption in approaches to CSR. The study combines qualitative interviews with industry experts and quantitative analysis of CSR reports from AI-adopting firms and thus sheds lights on the upside and downside of AI-enhanced CSR. Finally, this article ends with recommendations in developing a framework that would align AI capabilities with CSR objectives and indicates how that may potentially challenge future research directions in order to mitigate the ethical challenges involved.

Mediation of brand reputation and image in the relationship between perceived corporate social responsibility and brand equity and loyalty of technology companies among Generation Z: the moderating role of gender

Mediation of brand reputation and image in the relationship between perceived corporate social responsibility and brand equity and loyalty of technology companies among Generation Z: the moderating role of gender

Strategic corporate social responsibility in the tourism and hospitality industry: Conceptual proposal

Considering the growing significance of CSR in the corporate world, this study critically reflects the extant CSR literature and CSR practices, and proposes a conceptual CSR framework, called Strategic CSR, to highlight the importance of developing and implementing CSR practices that can create and optimize both social and business value. Strategic CSR incorporates four existing concepts and frameworks: creating shared value, enlightened stakeholder theory, resource-based theory, and CSR fit perspective. The essential argument for Strategic CSR is that businesses should develop and implement CSR practices that are directly related to the businesses’ core operations and competencies. This study also discusses several additional important issues to consider in developing and implementing Strategic CSR to enhance the understanding of the framework along with tourism and hospitality industry examples. This study conducted survey of which results generally support the proposed framework. Lastly, the study suggests several research directions for CSR scholars.

Scientific production on risks and financial instruments for commodity management

Introduction: Commodity management benefits from a variety of financial instruments and tools that allow companies to mitigate risks and optimize their operations. Among the most used are futures contracts, contracts for difference, risk management tools such as insurance and investment funds. The objective of this article is to analyze the scientific production on risks and financial instruments for the management of raw materials. Methodology: The research paradigm is mixed, through the combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. A bibliometric analysis was carried out which was complemented with a documentary review. The study was synthesized in three stages and was carried out in the Google Scholar, Scielo and SCOPUS databases, during the period from 1991 to 2024, without limitations in language. Results: The literature review shows an increase in the adoption of digital technologies to improve internal communication and employee engagement, with Brazil as a leader in the Latin American region. In addition, endomarketing is identified as a key element for attracting and retaining talent, especially in sectors with high competition and a shortage of specific skills. Likewise, its contribution to organizational sustainability is highlighted, focusing on the social dimension by promoting the well-being and development of employees. Conclusion: These findings reflect how endomarketing has been integrated into business strategies to align corporate objectives with the values ​​of social responsibility and job satisfaction, consolidating itself as an essential tool in improving productivity and long-term commitment.

Tipping Dilemma in Restaurants’ Age of Automation: Exploring the Role of Social Obligations, Explicit Requests, and Their Timing

ABSTRACT Despite the wide implementation of automated services (e.g. self-service kiosks and mobile checkouts) to optimize service efficiency, restaurant customers’ perceptions related to tipping in this context have received less attention. Two between-subject experiments were conducted among US consumers. The findings reveal that explicit tip requests increase unfairness perceptions when people feel more obliged to tip (Study 1), and for those who feel a higher obligation to tip, the unfairness perceptions are enhanced when the tip is requested before the service delivery (Study 2). This study enhances the existing literature on tipping behavior and service automation, additionally providing valuable insights for restaurant managers by offering guidelines for tip requests aimed at mitigating negative customer reactions such as perceptions of unfairness and decreased trust in the restaurant.

Revealing the Strength of CSR Endorsement in an Environmental CSR Advertising Campaign on Instagram: The Role of Interdependent Self-Construal, Regulatory-Focused Messages, and the Number of Followers

The purpose of this research is to study the strength of corporate social responsibility (CSR) endorsement in an environmental CSR advertising campaign on Instagram. A 2 (promotion- vs. prevention-focused messages) × 2 (low vs. high number of followers) between-subjects design was conducted online. Results showed that the indirect effect of interdependent self-construal on CSR endorsement through attitudes toward the environmental CSR advertising campaign on Instagram existed when only promotion-focused messages were presented. However, the moderation of the indirect effect of interdependent self-construal by promotion (prevention)-focused messages did not significantly differ between low and high numbers of followers. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed in more detail.

The effects of crisis type and CSR fit on organizational outcomes: The moderating role of authentic leadership in shaping organizational reputation, word-of-mouth, and purchase intentions

This study investigates how crisis type (moral-harm vs. product-harm) and the alignment between an organization's goals and its corporate social responsibility (CSR) values (CSR fit) influence crisis outcomes like organizational reputation, the spread of negative word-of-mouth, and purchase intentions. Additionally, the research examines whether authentic leadership (AL) moderates the relationship between crisis type, CSR fit, and crisis outcomes. Using a 2 (crisis type: moral-harm vs. product-harm) x 2 (CSR fit: high fit vs. low fit) between-subjects design (N = 427) recruited through CloudResearch, the results suggest that product-harm crises have more damaging effects on organizations than moral-harm crises. Also, organizations that align their CSR activities with their business goals receive favorable ratings during a crisis than those with low CSR fit. Lastly, AL moderates the relationship between crisis type and negative word-of-mouth as well as organizational reputation. Theoretical and practical implications of the current study are discussed.

The Impact of Fulfilling Social Responsibilities for Listed Companies on Financing Constraints: A case study of Kangmei Pharmaceutical

The Impact of Fulfilling Social Responsibilities for Listed Companies on Financing Constraints: A case study of Kangmei Pharmaceutical

Corporate social responsibility and energy efficiency: Empirical evidence from the manufacturing sector of India

AbstractThe strategic business firm manages today's profitability and tomorrow's sustainability to achieve a comparative advantage in the emerging market economy. Considering India's ambitious emission reduction target and rapid economic development, this study explores the potential relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the energy efficiency of manufacturing firms in India. Using firm‐level data, the panel fixed effects model shows that CSR negatively explains energy intensity (EI). We observed a consistent negative relationship between CSR and EI for all models, with and without controlled firm‐specific variables. Firms that manufacture chemical and chemical products, pharmaceuticals, medical chemicals and botanical products are energy intensive without CSR; however, CSR activities helped these firms become energy efficient. Our result confirms that voluntary CSR is less efficient than mandatory CSR in contributing to environmental and energy‐related indicators at the firm level. Our empirical results indicate several policy implications: (1) CSR should also focus on sustainable business models related to energy efficiency and reduction in carbon emissions; (2) firms should be encouraged to use CSR related to environmentally friendly innovations. We conclude that CSR spending and environmental expenses will increase energy efficiency at the firm level, which will help achieve net‐zero targets and sustainable industrial development.

Exploring food delivery app adoption: Corporate social responsibility and perceived product risk's influence

Exploring food delivery app adoption: Corporate social responsibility and perceived product risk's influence

Trickle-down effects of corporate social responsibility on employee outcomes: the mediating role of family-supportive supervisor behaviors

Trickle-down effects of corporate social responsibility on employee outcomes: the mediating role of family-supportive supervisor behaviors

Grocery retailers’ CSR: the role of claim type

PurposeThis study examines how substantive and/or associative claims about the local origin of organic products moderate the determinants and consequences of a grocery retailer’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).Design/methodology/approachAn experiment with four different conditions – no claim, substantive claim (i.e. number of kilometres), associative claim (i.e. photograph of the producer) and a combination of substantive and associative claims – was carried out in a laboratory store in France with 249 consumers who were randomly divided into four independent samples (a between-subjects design). To analyse the data, partial least squares structural equation modelling was mobilised using XLSTAT (2022) software.FindingsThe study indicates that using claims about the local origin of organic products via in-store signage is an appropriate tool for grocery retailers. For the three types of claims considered, the ethics of the offering influences the retailer’s CSR, which has an indirect impact on consumers’ actual purchases of local organic products via two routes: trust and affective commitment and trust and preference for the retailer. However, grocery retailers should favour a combination of substantive and associative claims to create a stronger impact on purchases.Originality/valueThis research extends the use of substantive and associative claims to sustainable products.

Navigating the Skies: The Aviation Industry’s Corporate Social Responsibility Communication for Human Trafficking Awareness

ABSTRACT Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication has not yet fully explored the issue of human trafficking, especially not specifically in the aviation industry. The present study examines Group III mainline passenger airlines in the United States to understand how those airlines communicate their CSR efforts related to human trafficking as well as how those airlines engaged with stakeholders in this work. Using a six-phase thematic analysis approach, the analysis of airline CSR communication revealed that 7 of 10 airlines used a human rights lens to frame human trafficking, that human trafficking was part of airline community outreach and community connection efforts and important to combating labor trafficking in airline supply chains; and that training and partnership efforts were employed to engage key stakeholders. Findings present theoretical and practical implications for students, researchers, and communication practitioners working in CSR for human trafficking.

Application of hybrid multi-criteria decision-making method to the evaluation of corporate social responsibility: An example of the banking industry in China

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a popular research topic, but there have not been comprehensive discussions on CSR evaluation in the banking sector. The purpose of this study is to propose a two-stage analysis combining the modified Delphi method (MDM) and Analytic Network Process (ANP) in order to construct a model for evaluating banks’ CSR. First, we use MDM to select and determine the interdependence of the criteria and then employ ANP to obtain their weights and to rank the alternatives. The results show that 5 criteria and 18 sub-criteria need to be considered in CSR evaluation. The most important criterion and sub-criterion are bank governance and regulatory compliance, respectively. The evaluation model constructed herein can be taken as a decision-making guide for evaluating banking organizations’ CSR and to help promote CSR development in China’s financial industry.