scholarly journals Information specificity, social topic awareness and message authenticity in CSR communication

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-48
Author(s):  
Andrea Pérez ◽  
María del Mar García de los Salmones ◽  
Matthew T. Liu

PurposeThis paper explores how companies can improve consumer attitudes towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) messages and companies by designing the content of the message, which should provide specific information and improve social topic awareness among consumers. The paper also explores the mediating role of message authenticity between the CSR message content and consumer attitudes towards the information and the company.Design/methodology/approach302 participants evaluated the website of a fictitious company that included information about its CSR activities. The authors collected data through a questionnaire of Likert-type and dichotomous scales and contrasted the hypotheses with a causal model, analysing the relationships among variables through structural equation modelling (SEM) with the software EQS 6.1.FindingsThe findings suggest that information specificity and social topic awareness improve consumer perceptions of message authenticity. The findings also show that message authenticity improves consumer trust and attitudes towards the information and the company. Attitude towards the information, message authenticity and social topic awareness show the largest impacts on trust and attitude towards the company, while information specificity also has a positive although smaller effect.Originality/valueIntegrating information specificity and social topic awareness within the conceptual model presented in this paper, based on the heuristic-systematic model (HSM) and attribution theory, allows researchers and practitioners to close the gap between companies' CSR activities and consumers' perceptions, attitudes and behaviours.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Kashedul Wahab Tuhin ◽  
Mahadi Hasan Miraz ◽  
Md. Mamun Habib ◽  
Md. Mahbub Alam

Purpose This study aims to determine direct and indirect ways of strengthening consumer’s halal buying behaviour. For this, the researchers explore the role of religiosity and consumers’ personal norms on consumers’ attitudes and halal buying behaviour. The study also reconnoiters the mediating role of consumer attitudes. Design/methodology/approach With a structured questionnaire, a survey was conducted to collect data on consumer attitudes, personal norms and halal buying behaviour. Finally, 229 valid questioners were retained for data analysis. The structural equation modelling technique was used for data analysis using SmartPLS 3.0 software. Findings The result of this study suggests that consumers’ attitude towards halal purchase depends on consumers’ personal norms and religiosity. Further, the role of consumer attitudes and religiosity on the halal buying behaviour of consumers is significant. However, the personal norm is not a significant predictor of halal buying behaviour. Consumer attitudes mediate the relationships between personal norms and halal buying behaviour, as well as religiosity and halal buying behaviour. Research limitations/implications The findings of the present study indicate that consumers’ personal norms and religiosity are the important determinants of consumer attitude and behaviour towards halal purchase. Marketers of halal products and services should focus on strengthening consumers’ attitudes and religiosity to influence consumer behaviour towards halal purchase. Originality/value In light of recent research studies on the halal purchase, the present research finds the essential predictors of consumers’ halal purchase attitude and behaviour. The study also reveals that consumer attitude is an important role in strengthening halal buying behaviour, as it has both direct and indirect impact halal buying behaviour.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ankur Srivastava ◽  
Nitin Gupta ◽  
Nripendra P. Rana

PurposeThis study investigates the role of consumer cosmopolitanism on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions (PIs) towards foreign and local brands.Design/methodology/approachThe responses were collected on a structured questionnaire through a consumer survey. The data were then analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM).FindingsThe results depict the positive influence of consumer cosmopolitanism on consumer attitudes towards foreign brands, which positively influences PIs towards foreign brands and negatively influences the PIs of local brands. Further, the mediating role of perceived quality was observed in explaining the consumer preference towards foreign and domestic brands.Practical implicationsFinally, the study concludes by providing implications for marketing scholars and managers of global and local brands.Originality/valueThe paper examines the underlying mechanisms related to consumer cosmopolitanism and its role in influencing the foreign and local brand purchase.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vibhash Kumar ◽  
Sonal Jain ◽  
Ajay Kumar Singh

PurposeThis study investigates the various factors which lead to the higher employer brand and studies the relationship of employer branding (EBR) with essential aspects of corporate life, namely, corporate social responsibility (CSR), levels of motivation experienced by employees and the intention to stay (ITS).Design/methodology/approachThe study solicited a research sample from employees working in five sectors, information technology, hospitality, banking and consulting sector (n = 296). The study employed structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the nomological network of EBR.FindingsThe study underpins the sub-constructs of EBR. A direct positive and significant relationship was found between EBR and CSR and motivation fully mediated between EBR and ITS.Originality/valueThis study uniquely contributes to the literature by exploring the mediating role of motivation on EBR and ITS's relationship. The study validates the nomological network of EBR by considering its various organizational aspects and the corresponding intertwined relationships.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ammar Javed ◽  
Zia Khan

PurposeThis study investigates the mediating role of brand love in two important relationships: first, corporate social responsibility (CSR)–word-of-mouth (WoM) intentions and second, corporate ability (CA)–WoM relationships.Design/methodology/approachData were collected with a sample of 359 respondents, and partial least squares-based structural equation modeling was utilized for data analysis.FindingsThe research reveals interesting findings as brand love fully mediates the CSR–WoM relationship, whilst it partially mediates the CA–WoM relationship.Practical implicationsThe results demonstrate that cellular service firms should strive to create brand love. This is because CSR investments can be diligently translated into WoM intentions through brand love.Originality/valueThe proposal and validation of brand love as a mediator in CSR–WoM and CA–WoM relationships in the cellular service context of a South Asian market is the key contribution of this research.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zia Khan ◽  
David Ferguson ◽  
Andrea Pérez

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: to empirically analyse how customer corporate social responsibility (CSR) perceptions impact on the perceived service quality (PSQ)-loyalty relationship in the banking industry of Pakistan; and to evaluate the mediating role of customer trust in that model. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a field survey of 408 customers of five different banks of Pakistan, the hypothesized model is tested through partial least squares based structural equation modelling. Findings – The findings demonstrate that banking customers in Pakistan recognise CSR as a multidimensional construct that serves as a direct determinant of PSQ, trust, repurchase and word of mouth (WOM) intentions. PSQ also influences customer trust directly and positively and trust has a direct and positive impact on repurchase and WOM intentions. On the contrary, PSQ does not influence repurchase and WOM intentions directly. Its effect is mediated by customer trust. Practical implications – Contrary to the previous mixed findings reported in the literature, this research confirms the explicit contribution of CSR towards customer perceptions and intentions in the context of the banking industry. The findings suggest that banking companies should take great care over preparing their CSR initiatives and include them in their marketing plans in order to improve customer loyalty intentions. In this way, CSR can enhance PSQ and customer trust, which are two key constructs in the loyalty model proposed in this paper. Originality/value – The originality of the paper lies in the context in which the research was developed. The banking industry of Pakistan had not previously been extensively researched. The proposal for a comprehensive model that evaluates the role of customer trust is another key contribution of the paper. Previous research has not extensively studied the role of trust in loyalty models that evaluate CSR perceptions along with PSQ.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nil Engizek ◽  
Bahar Yasin

Purpose The paper aims to focus on the relationships among corporate social responsibility (CSR), overall service quality (OSQ), company reputation and affective commitment. It investigates whether service quality or CSR is the primer driver of affective commitment. Also, the mediating role of company reputation was examined. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modelling analysis provided support for the hypotheses from a sample of 522 retail banking consumers in Turkey. Findings Findings show that both CSR and OSQ influence affective commitment through the mediator role of company reputation. Originality/value This study tests and confirms that corporate reputation plays a mediator role along the paths from CSR and OSQ to affective commitment. Also, this study expands the traditional view of CSR’s and OSQ effect on customers and suggests that CSR and OSQ do affect not only company reputation but also affective commitment.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Purvendu Sharma

PurposeThe present research aims to introduce and understand the promising nature of destination evangelism in the context of social media-based tourism communities (SMTCs). Further, factors that influence evangelism and information-seeking behaviors on SMTCs are examined.Design/methodology/approachA conceptual model is developed that features an interplay of destination distinctiveness, destination evangelism, travel commitment and information-seeking engagement. Data were collected from 215 active users of SMTCs and analyzed using structural equation models.FindingsThe research findings indicate that destination distinctiveness and information-seeking positively lead to destination evangelism. Information-seeking is found to mediate the relationship between (1) destination evangelism and travel commitment and (2) destination evangelism and distinctiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThe research offers meaningful insights into exploring constituents of destination evangelism. The research also understands and highlights the critical role of information-seeking engagement about distinct destinations.Practical implicationsThis research highlights key areas to build, improve and inspire destination evangelism on SMTCs.Originality/valueThis study offers a fresh contribution to tourism literature by investigating destination evangelism and its drivers. This is explained by closely uniting vital research streams of evangelism, tourism and engagement. It further highlights the dual mediating role of information seeking, suggesting that these engagements are critical to evangelizing destinations.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahraa Sameer Sajwani ◽  
Joe Hazzam ◽  
Abdelmounaim Lahrech ◽  
Muna Alnuaimi

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to investigate the role of the strategy tripod premises, mediated by future foresight and its effect on merger effectiveness in the higher education industry.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey method was implemented, with the data provided by senior managers of 14 universities that went through a merger from the years 2013–2016. The proposed model was tested using partial least squares (PLS) of structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsThe results indicate that government support, competitive intensity and knowledge creation capability relate positivity to merger effectiveness, and these relationships are mediated by future foresight competence.Originality/valueThe study provides a better understanding of merger effectiveness in the higher education industry by identifying the role of future foresight competence in the application of strategy tripod and its contribution on merger effectiveness. Results indicate that future foresight competence contributes to the merger effectiveness and enables the effective implementation of the strategy tripod dimensions in higher education mergers.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  

Purpose This study investigated how and when corporate social responsibility (CSR) fosters job seekers’ application intentions. The authors used a “mediated moderation mode” to explore the positive effect of CSR on job seekers’ intention to apply. They considered the moderating role of applicants’ calling and the mediating role of value congruence in the relationship between the person and organization. Design/methodology/approach To test their hypotheses the authors developed a questionnaire and sent it to a sample of 259 college students with a mean age of 22.67 in South Korea. All were either prospective or current job seekers and 55.2pc were female. Two scenarios were developed based on the real-life case of a well-known coffee franchise’s CSR policies. The scenarios were identical except that one had more proactive CSR policies. Findings Results showed that a company’s proactive CSR programs increase job seekers’ intention to apply, which was moderated by their “calling” for the job. The research also demonstrated that “value congruence” between the applicant and the organization fully mediated the interaction between CSR and calling. The results, the authors said, suggested that engaging in active CSR could attract job applicants, providing a potential competitive advantage. Originality/value The authors said their study contributed to the literature as it took the job seeker’s perspective whereas most previous research on calling focused on employees. They said it was the first study to empirically demonstrate the interaction between a sense of calling and CSR.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gedif Tessema Sinshaw ◽  
Atul Shiva ◽  
Manjit Singh

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the mediating role of knowledge process capability (KPC) between ethical leadership (EL) and administrative innovation (AI) in the banking sector of Ethiopia.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted by a standardized questionnaire survey to collect the data from 266 employees of Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in 93 branches. The study employed structural equation modeling approach with Analyzing Moment of Structures 23.0 to test the hypothesized mediation model.FindingsThe results of this investigation disclose that EL has a significant and direct effect on AI and KPC. KPC also influences AI significantly.Originality/valueThe study revealed that KPC plays a partial mediating role in linking EL to AI, which is a new contribution to the existing literature of EL. This dimension can provide new dimensions to design organizational leadership which is based on sustainability paradigm. This can strengthen the organizational capabilities aiming to increasing innovative behaviors in order to have a deep-seated strategy.


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