Corporate Social Responsibility Research Articles

Corporate Social Responsibility and Virtual Reality: A Synergistic Approach to Building Sustainable Brand Image

This study explores the intersection of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Virtual Reality (VR) as a novel approach to fostering sustainable brand image. Utilizing a qualitative research method through literature review and library research, the paper analyzes existing frameworks and theories on CSR and their potential enhancement through immersive VR experiences. The findings indicate that CSR initiatives, when integrated with VR, offer companies a unique opportunity to engage consumers more deeply by creating interactive and impactful experiences that highlight their commitment to sustainability. VR can simulate real-world scenarios of a company’s social and environmental efforts, making these initiatives more tangible and relatable to consumers. This immersive engagement not only enhances consumer understanding of CSR efforts but also builds stronger emotional connections, which are essential for long-term brand loyalty. Additionally, the synergy between CSR and VR contributes to a more transparent and authentic brand image, as VR allows for a more compelling demonstration of CSR activities. The study concludes that this innovative approach of combining CSR with VR can significantly improve brand perception, foster consumer trust, and establish a sustainable brand image that aligns with modern consumer expectations of corporate responsibility and ethical behavior. Further research is suggested to explore the long-term effects of this integration on consumer behavior and brand equity

Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Dialogue: Bypassing Elected Staff Representatives?

ABSTRACTThe adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has implications for a company's relationships with its stakeholders. Specifically, by engaging in social dialogue, companies can promote direct relationships with employees, or indirect relationships with them, through elected staff representatives. This study investigates the relationships between companies' involvement in CSR and their engagement in social dialogue, both with employees and elected staff representatives. The results of two surveys, carried out among company representatives and elected staff representatives, indicate that employers do not implement CSR to bypass elected staff representatives. Instead, CSR relates positively to direct relationships with employees and these relationships are not substitutes for dialogue with elected staff representatives, but instead, a factor that can weaken it.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance of Automotive Companies: A Basis for Corporate Social Responsibility Framework

This study determined the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and the financial performance of automotive companies in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, using data from 2020-2022. Descriptive statistics, financial metrics analysis, ANOVA, and Chi-Square Pearson tests were employed. Results showed that while environmental and ethical CSR initiatives were emphasized, economic community development was less prioritized. No significant differences were found in CSR activities based on firm profiles, and there was no significant link between CSR activities and financial performance. The study recommends a more balanced CSR approach, with greater emphasis on local economic development and partnerships with community and educational institutions. Due to limitations in sample size and data variety, future research should involve a broader participant base.

Can Corporate Social Responsibility Shift Consumer Behavior? Insights from Scenario-Based Experiment in the Fast Fashion Industry

This study investigates the interplay between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagement and pricing strategies in shaping consumer purchase intentions in the fast fashion industry. Using a scenario-based experimental design with 267 participants, this research explores how different levels of CSR and two distinct price points influence purchasing behavior. Additionally, the moderating effects of individual differences, such as consumer wealth, motivations for sustainable behavior, and income, are examined. The findings indicate that higher levels of CSR engagement significantly enhance purchase intentions, particularly when combined with higher price points, perhaps due to consumer perceptions of CSR programs associated with more expensive brands as more authentic. However, price remains a critical factor for lower-income consumers, revealing an “ethical consumption gap” where affordability outweighs ethical concerns. Extrinsic motivations, such as social pressure, strongly influence wealthier consumers’ decisions, while intrinsic motivations show a more complex relationship with purchasing behavior. The findings provide practical insights for fast fashion brands, suggesting that aligning CSR with competitive pricing and authentic messaging is crucial for appealing to both price-sensitive and ethically conscious consumers.

Corporate social responsibility and earnings management: The moderating effect of CEO personality traits

ABSTRACTThe debate surrounding the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on earnings management (EM) remains inconclusive, featuring two opposing perspectives. The opportunistic viewpoint suggests that CEOs use CSR as a tool for manipulating earnings, employing it as a strategic shield to conceal opportunistic behavior. Conversely, the ethical viewpoint posits that CSR aims to cultivate trust with stakeholders, promoting long‐term performance while avoiding EM. This paper aims to address this question by considering the role of psychological traits. Specifically, we examine the relationship between CSR and EM and investigate whether psychological traits moderate this relationship. Using a sample of 318 firms from the S&P 500 index from 2015 to 2019, the results show that CSR has a positive impact on EM, indicating that CSR creates more favorable conditions for EM and supporting the opportunistic behavior hypothesis. Furthermore, CEO narcissism moderates the relationship between CSR and EM, influencing an increase in income. Finally, CEO hubris positively moderates the relationship between CSR and both the absolute value of discretionary accruals and positive discretionary accruals. Our findings lead us to the conclusion that narcissistic or hubristic CEOs reinforce the opportunistic behavior hypothesis.

Pengaruh Sustainability Report (SR), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Dan Leverage Terhadap Tax Advoidance

Tax avoidance, especially if done through tax planning, is a legitimate way to reduce taxes while still complying with tax rules. This study aims to determine the influence of leverage, sustainability report (SR), and corporate social responsibility (CSR) on tax avoidance. Secondary data is one type of data used in this quantitative research procedure. Samples were taken from nineteen mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) and produced 94 samples between 2018 and 2022. IBM SPSS 26 software was used as a test tool in this study. Sampling was done using purposive sampling techniques

Corporate Social Responsibility Reports: An Analysis of Dialogicity Across Sectors and Countries

The paper explores Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports in their dialogicity, i.e. as an interactive communication practice taking place between the company and a multifaceted audience of stakeholders. In particular, it investigates the linguistic and discursive resources used by a sample of companies in their CSR disclosures to articulate corporate values and performance, and voice stakeholders’ concerns. The analysis was conducted on a small collection of documents belonging to firms operating in three different sectors: Banking, Food, and Oil and Gas, and headquartered in three European countries: Italy, Switzerland and the UK. With the support of corpus linguistics tools, the CSR reports were examined in a selection of key dialogic elements and their phraseology. The quantitative and qualitative analysis was intended to map out the strategies (dis)similarly adopted by the firms across the sectors and countries to project themselves into the text, establish a connection with stakeholders, and address their needs and expectations.

Unraveling contemporary trends on United Nations sustainable development goals: A new global bibliometric and literature review analysis

AbstractThis review presents a bibliometric performance and systematic literature review of research publications related to the 17 United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) in business studies. The study employs the 2020 revised Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) framework to systematically evaluate and identify 583 articles sourced from esteemed academic databases, including Scopus and Web of Science, as well as seven reputable publishers and digital libraries, for subsequent analysis and synthesis. The identified 583 papers on SDGs, authored by 1610 scholars and published in 207 peer‐reviewed sources, are analyzed using VOSviewer and R Studio software. The analysis reveals the existence of nine independent clusters of SDGs business research: artificial intelligence and digitalization (red cluster), business collaboration (green cluster), corporate sustainability (blue cluster), circular economy and corporate social responsibility (yellow cluster), entrepreneurship and innovation (purple cluster), education for developing countries (aqua‐cluster), climate change and tourism (orange‐cluster), Africa perspectives (brown cluster), and sustainable investment (black cluster). This review highlights the foundation of the business studies debate linked to the advancement of the SDGs after the adoption by the United Nations. Key insights, future research directions and conclusion including implications are discussed.

Tata Kelola (Collaborative Governance) dalam Pengelolaan Sampah Organik di Pusat Daur Ulang Jambangan Kota Surabaya

This study aims to analyze collaborative governance in organic waste management at the Recycling Center (PDU) Jambangan, Surabaya City. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method by collecting data through in-depth interviews, direct observations in the field, and relevant documentation. The findings indicate that the collaboration process between the government, the community, and Regional Owned Enterprises (BUMD), specifically PDAM Kota Surabaya in their role as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) executors, has been effectively implemented despite facing several challenges. Using the collaborative governance framework proposed by Ansell and Gash, this study finds that the success of collaboration heavily relies on facilitative leadership that can build trust and commitment among stakeholders. This collaborative process includes regular face-to-face dialogues, trust-building through transparency and openness, strong commitment to the process, continuous enhancement of shared understanding, and interim results achieved as motivation to continue the cooperation. This study concludes that collaborative governance at PDU Jambangan has made a significant contribution in reducing the volume of organic waste and enhancing public awareness of the importance of effective waste management. This success is achieved through joint efforts between the government, the community, and PDAM Kota Surabaya in creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly waste management system

Understanding the impact of environmental, social, and governance incidents on food producing corporations

This study investigates the intricate relationship between Environmental, Social, and Governance-related reputational disasters and the financial performance of prominent, food-producing agricultural corporations. Results reveal a significant differential response pattern between large and small firms after ESG-related events. Large entities initially exhibit resilience with no immediate negative returns, while smaller entities face substantial, significant, and persistent stock market depreciation. Furthermore, direct interactions are identified between the depth of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) incorporation and the severity of stock price decline. For investors, ESG track record emerges as a critical assessment criterion. The theoretical implications extend to understanding the importance of robust ESG frameworks, not just for reputational integrity but also for financial stability. The findings emphasise corporations’ urgency to integrate forward-looking, socially responsible strategies, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Management Students’ Perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability: The University Context of Each Country as an Explanatory Variable

Many scientific articles have been written about management students’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility. Most of these investigations were carried out on small samples, made up of students from a single university. Very few investigations have compared students from different universities and countries. The main objective of this paper is to investigate whether students’ countries operate as an explanatory variable for their perceptions of this concept. Fifty-four previous articles were reviewed, identifying some important conceptual problems and a high amount of methodological diversity. The second objective of this paper is to describe and analyze these problems and methodologies, with the aim of contributing to the development of this field of research. A sample of 1992 undergraduate students in management courses who were studying at 18 universities located in three countries (Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) was selected. A definition of corporate social responsibility was adopted. This concept was operationalized through a set of 18 indicators. An exploratory factor analysis showed that these indicators operationalize the main dimensions of social responsibility. It was found that there are statistically significant differences between the perceptions of the students from the 18 universities, but when comparing universities from the same country, these differences disappear. In addition, it was found that the relationship between perception and country is independent of gender, age, work experience and the degree that students are pursuing. This work contributes to our current knowledge in this field of study, because it shows that the university environment of each country operates as an explanatory variable for students’ perceptions of social responsibility. Also, this work contributes to the design of appropriate methodological strategies for carrying out comparative studies on the perceptions of social responsibility, both locally and internationally.

Karakteristik Komite Audit dan CSR Disclosure di Infrastructure- Konstruksi Non BUMN

This research empirically tests the influence of audit committee characteristics, namely audit committee independence, audit committee size, expertise, audit committee finances, audit committee meeting frequency, audit committee gender differences on the quality/extent of corporate social responsibility disclosure for the 2018-2022 period. The dependent variable used in this research is the extent of corporate social responsibility disclosure. This research uses quantitative research methods with secondary data obtained from annual reports of non-BUMN infrastructure and construction industry companies listed on the IDX. There are 150 data from 30 companies selected as research samples based on the purposive sampling method. Data processing in this study was tested using Eviews 12 Student Version Lite. The results of this research show that the independence of the audit committee, the financial expertise of the audit committee and the frequency of audit committee meetings have a significant positive effect on the extent of CSR disclosure. Meanwhile, audit committee size and audit committee gender differences have no influence on the extent of CSR disclosure.

Digitalization and Corporate Social Responsibility: A Case Study of the Moroccan Auto Insurance Sector

The aim of this article is to explore the impact of digitalization on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the automobile insurance sector in Morocco. This article first explores the theoretical and conceptual foundations of digital transformation and CSR. A mixed methods approach is then used, combining qualitative interviews with a wider quantitative survey, to investigate how digital innovations influence CSR practices. Interview analysis provides the basis for the development of a conceptual framework and eight hypotheses, which are then tested using quantitative techniques to analyze survey data. The results reveal several links between the benefits of digitalization and CSR. Claims management platforms, digital roadside assistance tools, and digital vehicle assessment and inspection all positively impact policyholders’ well-being in terms of compensation and asset preservation, thereby enhancing the CSR profile of automobile insurers. Similarly, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) training and simulation, as well as repair assistance, have positive impacts on policyholders’ well-being and advance the CSR positioning of automobile insurers. This article has limitations as it is based on a narrow industrial sector in a single country, but it nonetheless highlights certain relevant interrelationships between digitalization and CSR, contributing to the development of theory and practice in these research areas.

Securing meaningfulness in corporate social responsibility: Exploring meaning-making mechanisms via economies of worth

The current literature on meaningful work has attempted to capture the dynamic interplay between individuals’ subjective perception of the meaningfulness of their work and the broader societal and cultural context, employing tensional and temporal approaches. Yet, understanding of how individuals develop their justifications for the worthiness of their work by transcending subjective and social accounts of meaningful work remains limited. To enrich the justification approach to individuals’ tensional and dynamic experiences of meaningful work, we rely on the economies of worth (EW) framework to explore how individuals engage in meaning-making within their work when its worthiness is challenged. Focusing on the experiences and meaning-making of 46 practitioners working in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) field in Vietnam, we identified three meaning-making mechanisms (prospective deferring, localizing, and diverging) enacted in three morally challenging situations experienced by CSR practitioners (self vs belonging, self vs societal perceptions, and self vs external stakeholders’ changing interests). The study makes three contributes: (1) it enriches the meaning-making literature by advancing a justification approach via the EW framework; (2) it clarifies the micro-dynamics of compromise-building mechanisms at different career stages within organizational studies of the EW framework; and (3) it expands micro-CSR research by unpacking the relational tensions and meaning-making experiences of CSR practitioners.

The Role of CEO Characteristics in Enhancing Carbon Emission Disclosure: Evidence from Indonesia

This study aims to investigate the influence of CEO characteristics, namely gender, age, and education level, on the disclosure of carbon emissions in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Data analysis was conducted through three main stages: classical assumption testing, descriptive statistics, and application of multiple linear regression. This data testing utilized the STATA 14.0 statistical tool to evaluate the influence of CEO characteristics on carbon emissions disclosure. This study's results show that female CEOs, older CEO age, and higher CEO education levels significantly increase corporate carbon emissions disclosure. Female CEOs tend to be more concerned about environmental welfare, while older and highly educated CEOs are more understanding and committed to transparency and corporate social responsibility. This study provides practical implications for companies considering executive characteristics to improve their social performance. In addition, the results also emphasize the importance of gender diversity and investment in education to improve carbon emissions disclosure practices.

Corporate social and digital responsibility in esports

PurposeThe esports industry has experienced a dynamic growth. In this context, a significant evolution in the logic of corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be observed, particularly in the digital sphere. By extending Carroll’s three-dimensional model to include corporate digital responsibility (CDR), this paper addresses a key research question: How does CSR evolve and develop in the dynamic digital industry of esports?Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a qualitative multiple case study research design. It drew on secondary data from 50 professional esports organisations and key players in CSR development in the global esports industry, such as game publishers, pro-teams, pro-athletes, event organisers, and governing bodies. A content analysis of 50 official websites and 72 public annual, CSR, and environmental reports for the financial years ending in 2021 and 2022 was conducted.FindingsOur empirical findings not only map the territory of esports CSR and CDR but also provide practical insights. These insights are later synthesized to develop an esports CSR/CDR framework that extends Carroll’s three-dimensional model. CSR and CDR domains of esports are theoretically grounded (business performance, responsiveness, social issues, and digital responsibilities), while practical implications for managers and academics are forwarded.Originality/valueThis paper stands out as a pioneering empirical study, filling a significant research gap in the fields of CSR and CDR in esports. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first to illuminate these concepts within the unique ecosystem of esports, thereby contributing to the evolving understanding of CSR in the digital context.

Sustainable Business Strategies: Exploring the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility and Virtual Reality in Enhancing Brand Value

This study explores the intersection of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in developing sustainable business strategies that enhance brand value. Employing a qualitative research methodology through a comprehensive literature review and library research, the paper investigates how CSR initiatives, when integrated with immersive VR technologies, contribute to long-term brand equity and consumer engagement. The research highlights CSR's evolving role in aligning corporate activities with social and environmental goals, which not only strengthens stakeholder relationships but also increases brand loyalty. In parallel, VR technologies are gaining traction in marketing and brand communication, offering immersive experiences that create deeper emotional connections with consumers. The study analyzes recent case studies and academic discussions, illustrating how VR can enhance CSR's impact by making initiatives more accessible and engaging to a broader audience. This synergy between CSR and VR not only fosters a stronger brand identity but also provides a competitive advantage by differentiating brands in an increasingly socially conscious marketplace. The findings suggest that businesses leveraging CSR strategies alongside VR can cultivate a sustainable brand narrative that resonates with both customers and stakeholders, thereby improving overall brand value and driving sustainable growth. Future research is encouraged to further examine specific industries where these strategies can be most effectively implemented.

Green finance policies, resource allocation, and corporate social responsibility

This paper utilizes data from Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2019, using the Green Finance Innovation Pilot Zone as a quasi-natural experiment to deeply explore the impact of this policy on corporate social responsibility, and analyzes the effects of the policy from the perspectives of financing scale and financing costs. The findings indicate that the establishment of Green Finance Innovation Pilot Zones significantly promotes corporate social responsibility and affects the allocation of financial resources through mechanisms such as increasing financing costs and reducing financing scales. Under the strict regulation of the external green finance environment, companies' willingness and ability to undertake social responsibilities have significantly improved; this effect is particularly notable among secondary industry firms and high-tech enterprises.

Environmental corporate social responsibility and stock price crash risk: The role of environmental performance and ISO 14001

This paper examines the impact of environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) on stock price crash risk. Using a sample of publicly listed Chinese firms for the period 2010 to 2020, we find that environmental performance negatively affects crash risk. ISO 14001 certification, however, does not exert a significant effect. The negative relationship between environmental performance and crash risk is mediated by the visibility of the firm, and moderated by the certification of ISO 14001, respectively. In addition, the documented relationship is more evident for firms belonging to heavily polluting industries, non-SOEs and firms with greater media coverage and higher market competitive status. Our results remain consistent after controlling for endogeneity concerns and a batch of robustness tests. This study provides new insights into the CSR literature by highlighting the risk-mitigating role of environmental CSR in firms’ future stock price crashes.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Country Governance: An International Comparative Study Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper assesses the association of ESG scores with stock returns and highlights the moderating role of the COVID-19 pandemic and the country’s governance. The study uses panel data regression models to assess the relationship between ESG factors and stock returns, focusing on the moderating role of country governance and the COVID-19 pandemic. The results reveal that governance quality significantly enhances the positive effects of ESG practices on returns, particularly during times of crisis. These suggest that higher overall ESG scores are related positively to financial performance, and this relation is enhanced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the two dimensions of ESG that matter most are environmental and governance. Country-level governance is important because firms in well-governed countries amplify the benefits of high ESG scores. The opposite is true for the higher controversies scores, whose bad financial outcome is magnified during the pandemic. These results present an argument for the resilience of firm financial performance, dependent on strong ESG practices and governance frameworks. This holds great interest for investors and policymakers in associating good ESG considerations with the effective management of financial risks, leading to sustainable returns during periods of widespread economic uncertainty.