Social Responsibility Communication Research Articles

The Performance of Corporate Social Responsibility Communication in the Web2.0 Era: A Bibliometric Analysis of CSR Communication in Social Media Field

With the advent of the web2.0 era, the role of CSR communication in social media has become a hot topic in research and business. However, research on the topic in this area is still relatively new and has not been fully researched. In this study, citespace software is used to analyze the performance of literature in this field. The main results show that the use of social media for CSR communication is a long-term and significant research topic. According to the analysis of 490 research articles in this field from 2007 to 2023, the research trend shows an increasing state year by year, and the explosive growth began in 2017. The United States, China and Spain are the countries that contribute the most in this field. Perez Andrea, Camilleri, Mark Anthony and others are among the most influential authors. The network of co-authors is decentralized, while transnational cooperation takes the form of institutions and groups. Twelve clusters of high concern were identified, with "institutional theory," "web," and "citizenship" having been around longer. The changes in 19 burst terms over 17 years (2007 to 2023) indicate the evolution of the research frontier in the field, with the earliest "institutional theory" moving to "web," "image," then "citizenship," "perspective," and more. "loyalty" and "satisfaction" etc. The evolution can be divided into three phases: the initial phase (2007-2011), the debate phase (2012-2017), and the research specialization phase (2018-2023). Finally, the contribution, limitation and further research direction of this paper are discussed.

Constructing Care-Based Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of Fortune 500 Companies in China and the United States

Constructing Care-Based Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Communication During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comparison of Fortune 500 Companies in China and the United States

The Community Social Responsibility of Rural Small Tourism Enterprises: Scale Development and Validation

Rural small tourism enterprises (STEs) are involved in many discretionary, spontaneous, and supporting activities toward the host communities, which is labeled as community social responsibility (CoSR) in this study. This study develops and validates a scale to measure rural STEs’ CoSR. Stage 1 found four dimensions and 33 initial items through a thorough literature review and focus group discussions. In stage 2, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the dimensionality of the CoSR scale. Stage 3 used confirmatory factor analysis and supported a 22-item five-dimension scale ( promoting economic development, cultural preservation, cultural production, environmental protection, and political participation). An additional study was conducted to further assess nomological validity of the developed scale. The development of the CoSR scale provides a measurement instrument to spur additional empirical studies on CoSR. This scale also provides a useful tool for rural STE owners to measure and manage CoSR activities.

Communicating for the Common Good. The Strategic Approach of Communications for Sustainability in Ecuador, Colombia, and Chile

This study aimed to describe and analyze social responsibility communications management at large companies in Ecuador, Colombia, and Chile and contribute empirical observations to understand sustainability management in Latin America better. The study followed a quantitative approach and conducted a survey based on the Communications and Sustainability Convergence Model. The survey was administered to 96 executives in the three countries, who were asked to rate their practices in these two dimensions. Notwithstanding the limitations associated with survey respondents self-evaluating their practices, we found that most of the companies surveyed categorize their communications and sustainability management as more strategic than tactical and that their practices fit within a scenario known as the Common Good, which aims at creating a triple social, economic and environmental value. However, conceptual differences emerge when understanding sustainability and where it should be focused within the organization. Further research is recommended to help achieve a consensus on the concept of sustainability and how it can be implemented through communications initiatives that benefit both organizations and the communities in which they operate.

Corporate social responsibility communication in the ICT sector: digital issues, greenwashing, and materiality

Digitalization brings with it new social and governance issues and heightened responsibility, particularly for corporations. In recent years, society has demanded more transparency from companies about digital technology practices, oversight, and impacts. One sector that sharpens the view on these dynamics is information and communication technology (ICT). This study introduces for the first time an examination of corporate social responsibility (CSR) discourse on digital issues among large ICT firms by using signaling theory to analyze a broad set of media (sustainability, ESG, CSR, integrated, impact, purpose, consolidated management, and annual reports as well as issue briefs and webpages). It clarifies how ICT firms present materiality—a reporting concept associated with fair representation and relevance of information—in their CSR reporting on digital topics. It then discusses implications for greenwashing and makes recommendations for improving disclosure credibility.Graphical

Environmental Sustainability Through Corporate Social Responsibility

This paper pondered on the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Communication of Starbucks Corporation. CSR integrates social and environmental responsibility of the company, anchored with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) # 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and # 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The purpose of this paper was to elucidate the company’s role in environmental preservation through a robust CSR Communication campaign, discussed and critiqued. The study utilized secondary sources for data gathering, analyzed and interpreted using critical analysis.The result of the paper revealed that Starbuck’s report can expand its sustainability efforts in the light of the company’s strong advocacy on climate change. In achieving corporate expansionism, the paper provides robust knowledge on resilience and preservation for a resilient community.

Psychology in action: Social media communication, CSR, and consumer behavior management in banking.

In today's digitally interconnected world, social media emerges as a powerful tool, offering different opportunities for modern businesses. Not only do organizations use social media for marketing purposes, but they also endeavor to influence consumer psychology and behavior. Although prior studies indicate social media's efficacy in disseminating corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications, there remains a dearth of research addressing the impact of CSR-related messaging from banks on consumers' brand advocacy behavior (CBAB). Our study seeks to bridge this gap, exploring the CSR-CBAB relationship within the banking sector of an emerging economy. Additionally, we investigate the roles of consumers' emotions and values in mediating and moderating their CBAB, introducing two mediating factors, consumer happiness (HP) and admiration (BRAD), and moderating variable altruistic values (ATVL). Data collection involved an adapted questionnaire targeting banking consumers. The structural analysis revealed a positive correlation between a bank's CSR-related social media communications and CBAB. HP and BRAD were identified as mediators in this relationship, while ATVL emerged as a moderator. These findings hold significant theoretical and practical implications. For instance, our research highlights the indispensable role of social media in effectively conveying CSR-related information to banking consumers, subsequently enhancing their advocacy intentions.

Helping Dwight: how gamification can improve CSR communication effectiveness?

PurposeThe main purpose of this study is to check the potential impact of gamification on communicating CSR issues.Design/methodology/approachThe examination was conducted concerning the correlations between income/education level and communication effectiveness with and without gamification application. For the need of this study the survey was prepared, containing inter alia narration resting on helping Dwight to deal with the problems with adjusting to work environment, the problem often avoided in corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication research, especially gamified.FindingsFindings show that gamification can help in this area, but depending on the author’s goal (spreading the news is the most relevant one).Originality/valueAlthough the gamification gained substantial interest over the last decade, the results of applying the same into CSR communication are still very rare.

MCAST Foundation Students Journey of the Self through the Community Social Responsibility Unit: A Micro-ethnographic Approach

Even though to date there are several studies which have dealt with the themeof self-awareness, only a fraction of them have investigated whether, and when, studentsdeem self-exploration-related curriculum to be relevant. Thus, this micro-ethnographicstudy attempts to address this research gap by acquiring insights into how foundationstudents, most of whom happen to come from challenging backgrounds, are influencedby self-awareness sessions presented through the Community Social Responsibility (CSR)unit. The research additionally focuses upon the point at which foundation studentsrecognise the curriculum being offered during such sessions as relevant. The initial primarydata for this qualitative study was acquired by means of micro-ethnography. The analyticmemos extracted through an iterative-inductive approach served as a basis for thecompilation of specific guiding questions, which were later used to conduct a number ofsemi-structured interviews. These were followed up by a final focus-group. The analysisof the data indicates that a student perceives curriculum and its content as relevant,specifically upon recognition of its utility value. Recognising the experience as useful gavethe sessions appeal and augmented the students will to be present. Yet it also resultedthat the students state of mind, which is conditioned by their emotional state, is a majorinfluencing factor. Emotions, which actively influence ones interpretation and approachtowards an experience, may be externally induced, yet they can also be of a latent nature,lodged at a more subconscious level. The findings of this research suggest that to instiland increase relevance, the educational experience at MCAST Foundation Programmesrequires to be perceived as both valuable and enjoyable by the students.

Enhancing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Strategies for Building Trust and Fostering Social Impact.

This research aims to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication and stakeholder engagement in contemporary business settings. The significance of CSR has grown globally, as organizations are expected to go beyond legal requirements and address the needs and expectations of various stakeholder groups. However, several issues hinder the effective implementation and communication of CSR initiatives. These include a lack of knowledge and experience in CSR sustainability, inadequate skills within public relations teams, employees' commitment and satisfaction, and growing public skepticism towards CSR goals. The research seeks to investigate how businesses can enhance their CSR communication strategies to build trust, reduce skepticism, and foster meaningful social impact. It will examine the role of social media as a platform for disseminating CSR messages, the relationship between CSR activities and organizational citizenship behavior, and the importance of clear communication channels between organizations and the public. Findings from this study will provide practical insights for businesses in optimizing their CSR communication efforts, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and contributing positively to society.

Unveiling The Impact of Electronic Word-Of-Mouth On Corporate Social Responsibility Communication In The Banking Sector

Unveiling The Impact of Electronic Word-Of-Mouth On Corporate Social Responsibility Communication In The Banking Sector

Corporate Social Responsibility Communication: A Brief Review

Corporate Social Responsibility Communication: A Brief Review

Green CSR Communication to Internal Audiences: The Persuasive Power of Normative Appeals to Employees’ Green Behaviors

Given the increasing attention being paid to companies’ microlevel green efforts, this study aims to provide insights into green corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication targeting internal audiences (i.e., employees). Building on the social identity theory and group engagement model, this research examines the persuasive power of two types of social norms—descriptive and injunctive—in green CSR messages. Also, it investigates the underlying mechanism of individuals’ green behavioral decision making at work. Across two studies, results demonstrate that a descriptive norm message is more effective than a standard or injunctive norm message to enhance employees’ intentions to adopt green actions, engage in the company’s green programs, and help their colleagues to perform green behaviors. Additionally, a descriptive norm message advances three antecedents of motivation—expectancy, instrumentality, and valence—which in turn positively influence green behavioral decisions. This research contributes to developing the literature stream of green message framing by targeting a specific internal audience group and provides empirical implications for practitioners.

Impacts of Industrial Wastewater Effluent on Ekerekana Creek and Policy Recommendations for Mitigation

This study investigated the impact of industrial wastewater originating from the Port-Harcourt Refinery Company Limited on Ekerekana Creek in Rivers State, serving as a primary fishing source for various communities. Water samples were collected and tested using established laboratory techniques, focusing on parameters such as heavy metals, pH levels, Phosphate, Nitrate, Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, and BOD5. The findings revealed varying concentrations of heavy metals and other parameters in the water samples, with the highest concentrations observed at the discharge point (station 2), negatively affecting the flora population. The values of most parameters analyzed were below NESREA/WHO standards; however, the results underscore the importance of proper wastewater treatment and management from industrial sources to protect the environment and ensure the health and well-being of communities that rely on the creek.Based on the study's findings and best practices from the UK, US, and France, a set of comprehensive policy directions and community social responsibility measures are proposed. These recommendations include proper treatment of effluent by the Port-Harcourt Refinery Company Limited before discharge, active regulatory agency involvement, the adoption of an efficient and modern wastewater treatment facility, and the initiation of a clean-up procedure to reduce heavy metal concentrations and mitigate environmental hazards. Additionally, we advocate for the establishment of collaborative partnerships, community engagement, integrated watershed management, enforcement and compliance, research and innovation, and climate change adaptation and resilience measures. Implementing these recommendations will contribute to lasting improvements in water quality and the overall health of Ekerekana Creek and its surrounding communities.

“Not enough yet”: CSR communication of stigmatized industries through news coverage

PurposeCorporate social responsibility (CSR) communication covered by the news media is considered as more credible and effective in shaping public perceptions toward corporations than CSR shared by corporations themselves. This is particularly true when CSR is about corporations with social stigma inherent in business practices. This study examines the CSR publicity of stigmatized industries from the journalism lens.Design/methodology/approachA content analysis was conducted with CSR stories from 2019 to 2020 by USA newspapers (n = 348).FindingsResults of this study showed that the overall volume of CSR from stigmatized industries has decreased, with fewer responses to the recent pandemic. Further, the media brought promotional CSR activities and the business motives behind the activities into focus. Opposing patterns were found for CSR of non-stigmatized industries presented with philanthropic activities based on corporations' social motives to help communities. Similarly, economic and legal responsibilities reflected in the CSR pyramid were more prominently reported for stigmatized industries, and ethical and discretionary responsibilities appeared more frequently for non-stigmatized industries.Practical implicationsIntegrating business and media literature, this study enriches scholarly discussions on media processes and effects for CSR communication. This study also provides practical implications for stigmatized industries by highlighting more authentic and careful approaches for CSR communication to earn positive publicity.Social implicationsThis study provides social implications by highlighting the importance of CSR communications through the lens of news media when corporations are socially stigmatized.Originality/valueStigmatized industries are known to be active in CSR communication to nullify social stigma surrounding themselves. The authors' findings provide empirical evidence suggesting that not all publicity benefits CSR communication for stigmatized corporations.

Make me happy, make it credible – the effect of CSR message framing on online brand engagement

PurposeThe objective of this study is to investigate the differential impact of gain versus loss message framing on the effectiveness of corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications in eliciting online brand engagement within the hospitality industry. Furthermore, this research aims to examine the extent to which evoked happiness and message credibility mediate the relationship between CSR message framing and online brand engagement, as these mediating factors have not been thoroughly examined in the existing academic literature.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes a between-subjects experimental design to test an integrative research framework, which is grounded in message framing theory and the elaboration likelihood model (ELM), in order to examine the interrelationships among the various constructs of the study within a coffee shop context on Facebook.FindingsThe findings of this study indicate that gain framing is a more powerful predictor of online brand engagement than loss framing. A mediation analysis supports the assertion that the effects of CSR framing communications on online brand engagement are mediated by evoked happiness and message credibility. Specifically, when the CSR message was framed in a positive (gain) manner, it was perceived as more credible and evoked more happiness, leading to increased online brand engagement. Additionally, the study’s results provide empirical evidence for the notion that the happiness elicited by brand messages enhances their credibility, leading to further online brand engagement.Originality/valueThis research makes a novel contribution to the literature by investigating the distinct effects of message framing on online brand advocacy and examining the complex interrelationships that modulate consumer engagement within the context of the hospitality industry.

Interactive CSR campaign and symbolic brand benefits: a moderated mediation model of brand trust and self-congruity in the restaurant industry

PurposeDrawing on symbolic interaction theory (SIT), this study aims to identify what makes corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication more favorable to customers in the chain restaurants context. Specifically, this study examines the direct relationships between the interactivity of CSR communication, brand trust and brand sincerity. In addition, the mediating role of brand trust (i.e. separate dimensions of brand reliability and intentions) and the moderated mediating role of self-congruity are explored.Design/methodology/approachA total of 418 US consumers with past experiences of participating in CSR campaigns organized by chain restaurants on social media were recruited using the online survey method of nonprobability sampling through Amazon Mechanical Turk in December 2021.FindingsThe results of this study revealed that the interactivity of CSR communication on social media affects brand sincerity; brand reliability and brand intentions mediate the positive effect of interactivity of CSR communication on brand sincerity; and customer’s self-congruity moderated the positive mediation effect via brand reliability.Practical implicationsChain restaurant marketers need to understand the important role of interactivity as a key element of CSR communication on social media to help develop brand trust and brand sincerity in chain restaurants.Originality/valueThis study expands on SIT to support the symbolic benefits of interactive CSR communication on social media.

Corporate Sustainability Communication as ‘Fake News’: Firms’ Greenwashing on Twitter

Fake news on social media has engulfed the world of politics in recent years and is now posing the same threat in other areas, such as corporate social responsibility communications. This study examines this phenomenon in the context of firms’ deceptive communications concerning environmental sustainability, usually referred to as greenwashing. We first develop and validate a new method for automatically identifying greenwashing, using linguistic cues in a sample of tweets from a diverse set of firms in two highly polluting industries. We then examine the relationship between greenwashing and financial market performance for the firms in our sample. Prior research has identified these issues as some of the most important gaps in the extant literature. By addressing them, we make several important contributions to corporate sustainability research and practice, as well as introducing notable improvements to automatic greenwashing detection methods.

Linking Informative and Factual CSR Communication to Reputation: Understanding CSR Motives and Organizational Identification

The way corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication relates to corporate reputation has attracted an increasing amount of attention from communication and business researchers and practitioners. To place our study in the context of CSR and employee communication, we proposed a CSR communication—motives—organizational identification—corporate reputation model. Data collected from an online Qualtrics survey (n = 811) supported all the proposed hypotheses linking informativeness and factual tone in CSR communication, employee-perceived intrinsic/other-serving motives of their organizations’ CSR activities, organizational identification, and corporate reputation. Specifically, informativeness and a factual tone in CSR communication were positively related to employee-perceived intrinsic/other-serving motives of their organizations’ CSR activities. Employee-perceived intrinsic/other-serving motives of their organizations’ CSR activities were positively associated with employee organizational identification. Employee organizational identification was positively related to corporate reputation. In addition, employee-perceived intrinsic/other-serving motives of their organizations’ CSR activities and employee organizational identification turned out to be two significant mediators in the proposed model between CSR communication and corporate reputation. We conducted a two-step structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis to analyze the collected data. The theoretical and practical implications of the study were discussed.

Symbolic power for student curators as social agents: the emergence of the museum of World Languages at Shanghai International Studies University during the COVID-19 era

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has hindered the effectiveness of museum management and curatorship, a growing concern for the movement of international heritage conservation. Accordingly, this participatory action research explores the emergence of the Museum of World Languages at Shanghai International Studies University during the COVID-19 pandemic. By drawing insights from Pierre Bourdieu’s concepts of symbolic power and social agency in the new museology, this paper explores the educative, social, and political roles of the new language museum and the experiences of student curators with the new language museum. This paper promotes scholarly conversations about the curatorial narration of the language halls, the new coordinator’s responsibility, curatorial philosophy, experiential learning, social responsibility, political savvy, and intercultural communication and digital literacy competencies among the student curators. This study enhances the theoretical rigor and provides practical action agendas for diverse stakeholders in higher education administration and museum management beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.