Stakeholders’ social dialogue about responsibility and sustainability in the food sector

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Damiano Cortese ◽  
Christian Rainero ◽  
Valter Cantino
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Mutual Support ◽  
Food Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeThis paper aims at understanding whether firms conceive and use social media as disseminators, as well as amplifiers, of their results concerning sustainability and responsibility and whether this practice stimulates stakeholder engagement and participation, laying the foundation for a dialogue on corporate social responsibility.Design/methodology/approachThis research analyses the theoretical background of communication related to sustainability and responsibility and the company–stakeholder dialogue in the food sector. An inductive interpretive approach is provided by conducting a qualitative content analysis related to the communication practices of the food company Ferrero (Italy) from June 2015 to September 2019.FindingsCompanies can use social channels to present their vision, values, approaches and choices related to sustainability and responsibility. Social media can become useful networks to reach stakeholders requiring and claiming for transparency about more and more relevant topics – allowing, at the same time, a two-way relationship and dialogue.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the paper is that it presents the observation of a single firm.Practical implicationsThe managerial implications relate to the value created by a dialogical communication: this is a strong foundation for enhancing relationships capable of maintaining and increasing the company's reputation. The establishment of an interchange about sustainability and responsibility represents a new way to direct the company and its stakeholders towards mutual support in creating value.Originality/valueThis article contributes to enriching the debate on the degree of knowledge, understanding, response and reaction to social media–based corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication.

Corporate social responsibility and SME performance: a meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Oduro ◽  
Kot David Adhal Nguar ◽  
Alessandro De Nisco ◽  
Rami Hashem E. Alharthi ◽  
Guglielmo Maccario ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThis study aims to draw on instrumental and ethical theories to offer a quantitative review of the extant literature on the corporate social responsibility (CSR)–small-medium enterprises (SMEs) performance relationship through a meta-analysis.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical studies from 57 independent peer-reviewed articles, including 66,741 firms, were sampled and analysed. Both subgroup and meta-regression analyses (MARA) were used to test the hypotheses of the study.FindingsThe authors' results demonstrated that social-oriented, economic-oriented and environment-oriented CSR activities have a positive, significant influence on overall, financial and non-financial performance of SMEs; however, the effect of social-oriented CSR activities is the strongest. Moreover, the impact CSR dimensions have on non-financial performance is stronger than on financial performance. Additionally, findings showed that the association between CSR and SME performance is positively and significantly influenced by contextual factors (i.e. sector and region of study) and methodological factors (i.e. performance measurement, study type, theory usage, sampling size and operationalisation of constructs).Originality/valueThe study is the pioneering meta-analytic review on the CSR–SME performance relationship, thereby clarifying the anecdotal results, synthesising the fragmented empirical studies and exploring the contextual and methodological factors that may account for between-study variance. Following the study's findings, the authors delineate insightful suggestions for future scholarship and fine-grained managerial implications for practitioners.

Apparel firms’ corporate social responsibility communications

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongjoo Woo ◽  
Byoungho Jin
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication is a strategy to address companies’ goodwill to the society. Based on the institutional theory suggesting the influence of environmental factors of companies’ country-of-origins on their marketing practices, the purpose of this paper is to explore and compare the CSR communication practices of apparel firms from different countries. Design/methodology/approach – As a case study approach, this study investigates six apparel firms’ CSR communication disclosures on the official websites using a content analysis method and the Global Reporting Initiative’s categorial CSR reporting guidelines. Findings – Findings revealed that the six firms’ CSR communication adoption levels and focusses varied; the USA firms largely focussed on labor issues, while the European firms focussed on environmental issues and the Asian firms centered on social issues. Research limitations/implications – Although this study has limitations that pertain to case studies in general, this study provides academic contributions to the literature and managerial implications about different CSR focusses and communication activities across countries. Originality/value – CSR is especially important for the apparel business that highly involves social issues such as labor-intensive production. However, limited research showed how apparel firms are actually communicating CSR. This study was one of the early attempts on this topic.

Cultural and contextual influences on corporate social responsibility

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ya-Hui Ling
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Country Of Origin ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethnic Chinese ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Contextual Environment ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Chinese Managers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of managerial cultural values and the contextual environment (country of origin and country of operation) on corporate social responsibility (CSR) investments in three Asian countries. Design/methodology/approach A total of 150 questionnaires were collected from 150 companies located in Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore. The potential influence of ethnicity on cultural values was controlled by collecting data from ethnic Chinese managers. Findings The results show that senior managers, especially their cultural values, play a crucial role in directing Asian companies’ CSR investments. In addition, the context (a firm’s country of origin and country of operation) also differentiates the cultural values and CSR investments in these three countries. Originality/value The study adds to the understanding of the influence of managerial cultural values and context on various aspects of CSR. Especially, the study offers valuable managerial implications for CSR implementation from the Chinese management perspective. Considering the fast global expansion of Chinese companies, the results concerning how Chinese managers’ cultural values influence their CSR investments priority offer valuable managerial implications. The comparisons of cultural values and CSR investments priority among ethnic Chinese managers in different contextual environments also serve as good starting points for future studies.

scholarly journals Corporate reputation through strategic communication of corporate social responsibility

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oyindamola Abiola Ajayi ◽  
Tsietsi Mmutle
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how the communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributes towards a favourable corporate reputation. It explores the communication strategies and channels organisations deemed reputable by stakeholders use to achieve an effective CSR communication.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this, a qualitative content analysis using the directed approach was conducted on the textual CSR communication materials of ten reputable organisations in South Africa based on the 2018 South Africa Reptrak survey.FindingsResult showed that seven out of ten organisations use both self-serving and society-serving motive in their CSR communication, while the other 3 use only the society serving motive. The informing strategy was also more evident in the CSR communication materials than the interactive strategy. In terms of the communication channels, the study found that organisations mainly utilise controlled channels for CSR communication.Originality/valueThe literature reviewed and the findings of this study reveal a gap between the theory and practice of CSR communication. This drives the need for organisations to research and tailor CSR communication based on stakeholders' unique characteristics and preferences. The paper also contributes to improving the knowledge on the role different CSR communication strategies and channels play in CSR communication.

Bridging employee advocacy in anonymous social media and internal corporate social responsibility (CSR)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeunjae Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Organizational Citizenship Behavior ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Communal Relationship ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeThis study explores the link between internal corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee advocacy intention in the anonymous online environment, viewing the positive behavior of employees in anonymous social media as discretionary and altruistic efforts for their organization. Guided by social exchange theory (SET) and relationship management theory, the role of a communal relationship and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is likewise explored.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey was conducted with 405 full-time employees in the US.FindingsResults showed that internal CSR positively influences the organization–employee communal relationship as well as OCB. Results further show that the employee-oriented communal relationship plays an important role in increasing OCB, which in turn enhances employee advocacy intention in anonymous social media.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first attempts to conceptualize employees' advocative behaviors in anonymous websites (e.g. Glassdoor) and to explore the antecedents of advocative behaviors, drawing insights from human resources management and internal relations.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication via social media sites: evidence from the German banking industry

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Schröder
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Banking Industry ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Symmetrical Communication

PurposeThis study aims to explore how banks practice corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication on two popular social media sites (SMSs), Facebook and Twitter. Furthermore, this study examines CSR communication strategies on SMSs, including the levels of communication direction and communication balance.Design/methodology/approachData were extracted from Facebook and Twitter over a five-year period (2015–2019), and content analysis was performed. The research setting was the German banking industry.FindingsThe results indicate that the number of banks using SMSs to communicate CSR-information increased over time. Although the majority of banks’ messages were not related to CSR, the most-referenced (least-referenced) CSR-theme was “society” (“human rights”). On Facebook, banks employed an interacting CSR communication strategy more often than an informing one when communicating CSR activities; on Twitter banks used a balanced mix of communication strategies. In terms of stakeholder engagement, social media users interacted with banks more frequently on Facebook than on Twitter, and banks made efforts to engage in two-way symmetrical communication.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the sample comprised the most relevant banks in Germany, it was limited to a single national context. Thus, the results may not be generalizable.Originality/valueThis study makes a significant contribution to the limited literature on banks’ CSR communication via SMSs, provides new empirical evidence on the use of CSR communication strategies and extends prior research on the direction and balance of communication. Recommendations are provided for banking communication practitioners.

Twitter and corporate social responsibility

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 35-37
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Relationship Management ◽  
News Medium ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – To examine the use of Twitter by companies for corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications and the management of relationships with stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach – Defines three communication strategies for one-way or two-way communication and assesses their value for relationship management. Uses social network analysis to evaluate Twitter use for CSR communication. Findings – Isn’t technology marvelous? Once upon a time – a decade or so ago – companies mainly talked to stakeholders as a whole, usually about the things they wanted to tell them. Now social media have given each of us the opportunity to have individual discussions with them about things that matter to us. But just because the technology’s available, doesn’t mean companies have to use it – and some seem strangely reluctant to engage in one-to-one dialogue, particularly in areas like CSR. Practical implications – Concludes that companies remain cautious in their use of social media to communicate their CSR activities and that few exploit Twitter’s full potential for relationship management. Social implications – Asks if more corporations will use social media for interactive dialogue and relationship management or if they will continue to treat Twitter as a news medium rather than a social network. Originality/value – Presents empirical evidence showing how – and how intensively – companies are using Twitter to communicate with stakeholders interested in CSR.

An evaluation of corporate social responsibility communication on the websites of telecommunication companies operating in Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 17-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Boateng ◽  
Ibn Kailan Abdul-Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
Corporate Websites ◽  
Telecommunication Companies ◽  
Impression Management Tactics ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose Corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication on corporate websites have become an emerging trend by firms. Similarly, corporate websites have been used to manage stakeholders’ impressions about the organization. Meanwhile, CSR by firms have been criticized for been a manipulative tactics used by firms. The purpose of this paper therefore is to ascertain how telecommunication companies operating in Ghana communicate CSR on their corporate websites. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative content analysis technique. It also used Bolino et al.’s (2008) impression management framework as the conceptual framework. Data were extracted from the websites of four telecommunication companies operating in Ghana. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Findings The results show that the companies use impression management in communicating CSR on their corporate websites. Account, assertive impression management; blaring, boasting, defensive impression management; demonstrative impression management; exemplification, favor-rendering, illustrative impression management; ingratiation, other-enhancement, other-focused impression management; self-enhancement, self-focused impression management; and self-promotion tactics are tactics prevalent in the CSR communication of the companies. Actor-to-actor link impression management and other emotional appeal also emerged as some of the impression management tactics used by the companies. Originality/value This provides insights into how organizations use impression management in their CSR communication on their corporate websites. Studies of this nature are limited. Again, studies specifically adapting Bolino et al.’s impression management to study CSR communication on corporate websites are rare.

Communicating corporate social responsibility (CSR) on social media

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 326-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruoxu Wang ◽  
Yan Huang
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Behavioral Intention ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavior Intention ◽  
Message Source ◽  
Media Message ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of message source and types of corporate social responsibility (CSR) message on stakeholder’s perception toward CSR and behavioral intention toward the company. Design/methodology/approach A 2 (message source: CEO’s Facebook account vs organization’s Facebook account) × 3 (types of CSR messages: internal CSR vs external CSR vs control) between-subjects online experiment (n=242) was conducted online. Findings Internal CSR message elicited greater perceptions of trust, satisfaction, control mutuality, and commitment toward the organization among the stakeholders than the external CSR message and the CEO’s personal life message. A significant two-way interaction between the message source and the type of CSR message on behavior intention toward the organization was obtained. Originality/value Internal CSR message does matter when it comes to social media posting. The general public do pay attention to what the CEO and the organizations are posting on their social media accounts. Message source does not matter when it comes to social media message posting. However, organizations and CEOs should try to stay consistent when it comes to creating a public CSR message.

What is the role of social media in several overtones of CSR communication? The case of the wine industry in the Southern Italian regions

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 856-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonino Galati ◽  
Georgia Sakka ◽  
Maria Crescimanno ◽  
Antonio Tulone ◽  
Mariantonietta Fiore
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Responsible Behaviour ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand whether the companies most involved in communicating their responsible behaviour externally are those most active on the social media (SM) platform, with a philanthropic purpose rather than strictly aimed at economic aspects. Design/methodology/approach The authors, first, assess firms’ efforts on the SM platform using the model proposed by Chung et al. (2014), and, second, the authors analyze the content of messages in order to verify what dimensions of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) they contain. A multivariate modelling has been performed in order to verify whether the wineries that take most care to communicate their responsible behaviour are those that are more involved in the management of Social Network. The wineries’ effort in SM platform was analyzed using the model proposed by Chung et al. (2014), which consider three dimensions named intensity, richness and responsiveness. In order to verify the relationship between the SM effort and their engagement in CSR initiatives, the Probit model has been utilized taking into consideration four CSR dimension (Green CSR, Ethical CSR, Community CSR and Cultural CSR). Findings The findings show that wineries most involved in corporate social responsibility initiatives and in the active communication of these initiatives on SM platforms are those that are most active on SM and in particular those that interact most with their web users, triggering in them some reactions that lead to the sharing of content and, therefore, having a significant impact on the dissemination of information through SM. Research limitations/implications The main limitations of this study are related to the limited sample size, the time period considered. Practical implications This study provides insight and hints into wine entrepreneurs interested in improving the effectiveness of their CSR communication via SM showing the importance of the interactive dimension of SM, in order to reduce scepticism and gain greater credibility on the market. Originality/value This study uses four dimensions of the companies’ SM efforts’ built on the basis of a number of variables that are more explicative of the SM engagement.

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