scholarly journals CSR during COVID-19: exploring select organizations’ intents and activities

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
S.M. Ramya ◽  
Rupashree Baral
Keyword(s):  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Services Sector ◽  
Qualitative Research Design ◽  
Csr Strategy ◽  
Paradox Theory ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore the immediate proactive corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts undertaken by select organizations in India in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the approach they have adopted toward it. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 senior managers across top Bombay Stock Exchange indexed organizations from the manufacturing and services sector in India during the national COVID-19 pandemic lockdown between March and June 2020. Manual content analysis and the Gioia method were used to arrive at the insights. Findings Results of the analysis showcase the spirited immediate CSR measures undertaken by the select organizations in the broader interests of the community at large. The study also highlights the need for a paradox approach toward CSR strategy. Research limitations/implications Given that the present study adopts an exploratory qualitative research design, the scope for generalization is rather limited. Practical implications This paper classifies COVID-19 related initiatives undertaken by selected few top organizations in India and attempts to justify the need to opt for a paradox approach toward CSR strategy. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is one of the first few studies to have attempted to put forth a dialog at the intersection of COVID-19 and CSR with rich insights gained from qualitative data collected during India’s intense lockdown period and offering a different perspective with the inclusion of paradox theory into the discussion.

scholarly journals Do stakeholders or social obligations drive corporate social and environmental responsibility reporting? Managerial views from a developing country

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Moazzem Hossain ◽  
Manzurul Alam ◽  
Muhammad Azizul Islam ◽  
Angela Hecimovic
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Environmental Responsibility ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore senior managers’ perception and motivations of corporate social and environmental responsibility (CSER) reporting in the context of a developing country, Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach – In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 senior managers of companies listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange. Publicly available annual reports of these companies were also analysed. Findings – The results indicate that senior managers perceive CSER reporting as a social obligation. The study finds that the managers focus mostly on child labour, human resources/rights, responsible products/services, health education, sports and community engagement activities as part of the social obligations. Interviewees identify a lack of a regulatory framework along with socio-cultural and religious factors as contributing to the low level of disclosures. These findings suggest that CSER reporting is not merely stakeholder-driven, but rather country-specific social and environmental issues play an important role in relation to CSER reporting practices. Research limitations/implications – This paper contributes to engagement-based studies by focussing on CSER reporting practices in developing countries and are useful for academics, practitioners and policymakers in understanding the reasons behind CSER reporting in developing countries. Originality/value – This paper addresses a literature “gap” in the empirical study of CSER reporting in a developing country, such as Bangladesh. This study fills a gap in the existing literature to understand managers’ motivations for CSER reporting in a developing country context. Managerial perceptions on CSER issues are largely unexplored in developing countries.

A paradigm shift in corporate social responsibility: India’s transition from mandatory regime to the COVID-19 era

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aparna Bhatia ◽  
Amandeep Dhawan
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Gradual Increase ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to examine the pattern of corporate social responsibility expenditure (CSRE) incurred by Indian companies after the inception of Companies Act 2013. It also highlights the resultant change brought in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) spends of the companies because of COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The CSR index provided by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under Companies (CSR Policy) Rules 2014, is adopted to measure the extent of CSRE made by top 30 Indian companies listed on Bombay Stock Exchange. To study the pattern of CSRE in various domains mentioned in the CSR index, the study is conducted over four points of time. Three alternative years since the commencement of the Companies Act 2013 i.e. 2014–2015, 2016–2017 and 2018–2019 have been taken up. Additionally, the financial year 2019–2020 is included as it marks the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings The findings show that the CSRE made by companies is increasing every year over all points of time taken in the study. In addition to this, Indian companies have voluntarily contributed a substantial amount towards COVID-19 relief over and above the required mandatory limits. Practical implications The gradual increase in CSR contributions even above the mandated amount and voluntary contribution towards COVID-19 relief by Indian companies implies that the nature of CSR in India is still philanthropic. Originality/value The study contributes to the CSR literature after the implementation of the mandatory CSR provisions in India and in the wake of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 as so far there is no such study available in the extant literature.

scholarly journals Does corporate social responsibility impact on employee engagement?

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 232-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Ferreira ◽  
Elizabeth Real de Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
General Internal ◽  
Csr Strategy ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – Despite the claim that internal corporate social responsibility plays an important role, the understanding of this phenomenon has been neglected. This paper intends to contribute to fill this gap by looking into the relation between CSR and employee engagement. Design/methodology/approach – A survey research was conducted and three different groups of respondents were faced with three different CSR scenarios (general, internal, external) and respondents' employee engagement was measured. Findings – The results show that there are no statistically significant differences in levels of engagement between employees exposed to external and internal CSR practices. Nevertheless, employees exposed to internal CSR are more engaged than those exposed only to external CSR practices. Research limitations/implications – The use of scenarios, although a grounded approach, involves risks, including the difficulty of participants to put themselves in a fictional situation. Also, the scale used to measure employee engagement puts the emphasis on work rather than on the organisation. Practical implications – Although this study is not conclusive it raises the need for companies to look at their CSR strategy in a holistic approach, i.e. internal and external. Originality/value – This paper represents a contribution to understand CSR strategic status and the need to enlighten the impact that social responsible practices can have on employees' engagement.

Promoting CSR to foster sustainable development

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Moyeen ◽  
Brian West
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Developed Country ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Promotional Efforts ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitudes and perceptions of senior managers in Bangladesh with regard to corporate social responsibility (CSR), focusing on the impact of CSR promotional programmes in fostering an affirmative view of sustainable development. This issue has special significance in a country that is one of the fastest growing economies in south Asia and also particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of 32 managers of large enterprises operating in a variety of industries. Findings – The positive attitudes observed suggest that various programmes adopted to promote CSR have had some effect. However, sustainable development and environmental issues tend to remain on the periphery of managers’ understandings and perceptions of CSR. Research limitations/implications – This study aids understanding of how business managers may respond to CSR promotional campaigns. Further studies in other comparable countries, and in other settings where CSR is poorly established, are encouraged in order to provide more comprehensive insights and overcome the limited sample size of the current study. Practical implications – While insights to how the managers of local enterprises can be persuaded to become more effectively engaged in CSR are provided, a need to foster a more comprehensive notion of CSR is also identified. Originality/value – As well as contributing to redressing the strong bias towards developed country settings in CSR research, this research is novel in exploring how CSR promotional efforts may influence the attitudes and perceptions of managers.

Sustainable development through five senses of effective corporate social responsibility strategy

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muneer Al Mubarak
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Improve Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Strategy ◽  
Five Senses ◽  
Knowledge And Practice ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to introduce a five senses concept (sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell) that enhances corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. It sheds light on the effective CSR senses, which are required by firms for better performance and sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach The main approach for collecting information for discussion is the literature review focusing on topics such as CSR strategy, CSR activities, sustainability and sensemaking. Findings While searching the literature, little was found on sensemaking and very little was found on CSR five senses, a gap which needs to be looked at. A gap was also found between what firms do and what are expected from them to deliver to society in terms of CSR activities which puts sustainability at risk. Practical implications Firms are expected to improve performance when these five CSR senses are incorporated in their strategy and activities. This approach makes firms work effectively to meet different stakeholders’ needs and wants internally and externally; hence, a better satisfaction level can be achieved and sustainable development is likely to be better secured. Originality/value The idea of CSR senses has been neither thoroughly discussed nor sufficiently developed as a five CSR senses concept in the previous studies. This study contributes to the CSR knowledge and practice in many venues by offering a conceptual model that suggests important senses of effective CSR strategy, hence, bridging the CSR gap that might exist in strategy and practice. Therefore, researchers and practitioners are expected to benefit from this study that can result in better CSR control and sustainable development.

Corporate social reporting in Malaysia: a case of mimicking the West or succumbing to local pressure

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azlan Amran ◽  
A.K. Siti‐Nabiha
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Institutional Theory ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Local Pressure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social Reporting ◽  
Western Experience ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe primary objective of this paper is to explore and interpret the perceptions and motives of selected Malaysian managers on CSR by using Institutional theory.Design/methodology/approachThe paper attempts to explain the local CSR trend by interviewing senior managers from selected companies who have been identified as good reporters. The interview findings are analysed systematically and narrated in order to capture the spontaneity and candidness of the reporters' feelings on CSR practices and motives. The data are than interpreted through the lens of institutional theory.FindingsDespite low level of awareness of CSR, there is an increasing trend of reporters. A popular reason given by the respondents to explain this paradox is the need to follow the reporting trend, echoing the finding of an earlier study by Mohamad Zain. By following the reporting trend, the companies expect to be accepted as one of the international players. This mimetic action taken by some of the companies reflects the pressure of globalisation where social and environmental issues have taken centre stage. Based on the overall findings, the rising trend in the number of reporters can only find its explanation in western mimicry.Practical implicationsThe study uncovers some of the motives for the adoption of CSR by companies in developing countries. Rather than relying on the western experience of CSR, which is well published in established journals, this study provides useful and unique insights into a developing country's CSR experience that can be used as a trajectory to understand the experiences of developing countries as a whole.Originality/valueThis paper offers an important insight about the CSR practices through the institutional theory perspective.

Do stakeholders really demand CSR?

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 13-15
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Corporate Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Strategies ◽  
Economic View ◽  
Csr Strategy ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings First, on a theoretical level and in terms of corporate disclosure on corporate social responsibility (CSR), a large gap in how the economic view and the CSR view of competition are represented was noticed. Second, the limitations of the competitive advantage obtained by CSR strategy was observed while the “demand for virtue” is weak even if the stakeholders’ “expectations” for responsible practices are strong. The author proposes a typology of CSR strategies related to competitive situations. Third, the author underlines the paradox of the CSR competitive advantage: specifically, it is gained only if not imitable, i.e. if companies prevent the mimetic practices which could spread best practices for sustainable development. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

When marketing misses a trick

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 13-15
Keyword(s):  
Lean Six Sigma ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Function ◽  
Csr Strategy ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Marketing Messages

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds his own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – The piece discusses the gains derived from Lean Six Sigma projects at a UK food manufacturing site and identifies gaps in potential benefits, in particular how well any potential marketing messages were exploited by the organization. The findings critically evaluate the impact that marketing function involvement could have in helping to promote the wider productivity message and its contribution to the wider corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy for the organisation. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Marketized employment services

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 426-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilma Gallet
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Government Funding ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Frontline Staff ◽  
Employment Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Market Values ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the challenges confronting Christian-based organisations operating in the employment services quasi-market in Australia. It focuses on the tensions that arise for these organisations as they endeavour to deliver services that reflect their distinctive mission and values, while remaining competitive in an environment characterised by the typical market values of commercialism, competition and compliance. Design/methodology/approach – The data on which this paper is based has been derived from 48 semi-structured interviews with church leaders, senior managers and frontline staff in four Christian-based organisations. Findings – The paper demonstrates that the Christian-based organisations under consideration are constrained in their ability to deliver a distinctive and holistic mission. The pressure to survive has resulted in these organisations emulating the business practices of others considered to be more successful in the field. Research limitations/implications – This paper draws attention to the commercialisation that has occurred within Christian-based organisations delivering privatised employment services. As markets are formed in other welfare areas, further research opportunities will present to examine how Christian-based organisations respond to the pressures that arise in these fields. Practical implications – The findings from this study raise significant questions for Christian-based organisations. The particular dilemma being whether they should accept government funding in circumstances where their mission is likely to be compromised. Originality/value – This paper serves to highlight, that despite their intentions to deliver a distinctive mission, Christian-based organisations are indistinguishable from other organisations delivering privatised employment services.

Implications of CSR initiatives on employee engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-163
Author(s):  
Shweta Bapat ◽  
Pooja Upadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Employee Engagement ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Employee Participation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to study the implications of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on employee engagement in selected Indian business giants to which CSR spending is mandatory as per the Companies Act 2013. Researcher also has an intention of preparing working model for increasing employee engagement through CSR. Design/methodology/approach Researcher has collected the primary data from HR officials, CSR officials and employees of 23 organisations belonging to 10 main industrial sectors of India. The organisations selected for the data collection belong to India’s top 100 organisations as per Bombay Stock Exchange fulfilling a particular criterion. The effect of employee participation in CSR on employee engagement is been studied by identifying four parameters of employee engagement on which the employee participation in CSR may have some effect. The data are analysed with the help of Z test for proportion. Findings The major findings of the paper of the study includes that employee participation in CSR positively effects the employee engagement, as it helps in increasing four specifically identified parameters of employee engagement. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to the specific area of the effect of employee participation in CSR on employee engagement that too with respect to selected Indian business giants. Practical implications On the basis of this study, a theoretical model of CSR and employee engagement is proposed at the end of this paper. The model is expected to work as a guideline to the organisations, which want to improve employee engagement through CSR. Originality/value This research is one of its kinds that study the effect of employee participation in CSR on employee engagement. Moreover this research study considers the selected large-scale businesses of India which is the only country having 2% mandatory CSR spending to the organisation fulfilling the specific criteria.

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