Walmart and its employee relations: organizational stance-taking and legitimacy

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeynep Cihan Koca-Helvaci
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Image ◽  
Employee Relations ◽  
Appraisal Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Linguistic Resources ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Self Image ◽  
Evaluative Language ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility Reports

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse how appraisal resources and legitimation strategies, concerning “associates” and “suppliers” in Walmart’s Corporate Social Responsibility reports from 2011 to 2013, contribute to the representation of a positive corporate image. Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws upon Appraisal Theory (Martin and White, 2005) and Legitimation Theory (van Leeuwen, 2007) to explore the link between evaluative language and legitimacy concerning abovementioned search terms. Findings – Walmart’s representations of its stance towards “associates” and “suppliers” differ greatly, although the corporation communicates a positive self-image through both of them. Walmart portrays its relationship with its “associates” as cooperative and mutually beneficial. On the other hand, the corporation presents the image of a philanthropist organisation that has been trying to improve the poor working conditions of its “suppliers” through strict regulations. Research limitations/implications – Only a small amount of data could be analysed manually due to the special nature of evaluative language and legitimation. Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified need in studying social reporting in terms of linguistic resources.

Micro-loans and financial performance: a case of a Chinese commercial bank

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Alam ◽  
Mustapha Ibn Boamah ◽  
Yuheng Liu
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility Reports ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between a commercial bank’s micro-loaning activity and overall performance over a 10-year period. Design/methodology/approach Quarterly data was obtained from the Wind Database, China Minsheng Banks’s official annual reports and annual corporate social responsibility reports from 2009 to 2019, to test the linear relationship between micro-loan activities and the overall financial performance of the bank. Findings The results of this study empirically demonstrate that there is a positive relationship between increases in micro-loaning activity and the overall performance of the bank. Some key recommendations for the sector are shared in the conclusion of this paper. Originality/value In the financial sector, some corporate social responsibility activities focus on the issuance of micro-loans. It is unclear, however, if this has also served as a means to increase profitability and overall performance for such institutions.

The effect of corporate social responsibility on firm risk

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Nguyen ◽  
Anna Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Employee Relations ◽  
Fixed Cost ◽  
Firm Risk ◽  
Single Measure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Aggregate Index ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and risk for a sample of US firms rated by KLD. Design/methodology/approach – The authors’ approach involves three distinctive features. First, the authors use individual indicators of CSR to highlight which CSR dimension matters most for a firm’s risk. Second, the authors distinguish CSR strengths and concerns to reveal potentially nonlinear relationships. Third, the authors use a measure of risk that takes into account the predictable changes in a firm’s performance and that does not collapse the panel data into a single cross-section. This allows the CSR–risk relationship to be estimated by the variation within each firm and the variation across firms. Findings – Consistent with existing results, the authors find that CSR concerns relating to diversity, employee relations and corporate governance increase the risk to shareholders. More interestingly, the authors show that CSR strengths relating to diversity and employee relations are also associated with higher risk. The positive influence of both CSR strengths and concerns on a firm’s risk is confirmed using aggregate CSR indicators. Research limitations/implications – The results confirm that CSR strengths and concerns represent distinct constructs that should not be aggregated into a single measure. The effect of poor CSR on firm risk is more significant than what would appear to be the case using an aggregate index. Practical implications – Although lack of CSR engagement may not affect (and may even benefit) a firm’s current performance, it may seriously damage its performance in the future. Firms should be aware of this risk. Originality/value – The positive relationship found between CSR and firm risk underscores the inherent conflict between the interests of employees and those of shareholders. By committing to a more favorable treatment of their employees, firms incur a fixed cost that inevitably transfers more risk to their shareholders.

A Balanced Scorecard Framework for Measuring Sustainability Performance of Business Organizations

2020 ◽  
pp. 140-163
Author(s):  
Varun Arora
Keyword(s):  
Balanced Scorecard ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Corporate Image ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Financial Benefits ◽  
Network Process ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility Reports

Sustainability is about meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations. It involves focus on three main dimensions, economic, environmental, and social, for achieving overall performance. Majority of the companies are adopting sustainability for business growth and boosting their corporate image for long term competitiveness, thereby receiving financial benefits as well. Sustainability is a concept that has come into picture a few years back and presently making a big mark in every field. A balanced scorecard framework is proposed for measuring sustainability performance of business organizations. Four main dimensions are considered, namely organization, process, core, and learning. Each of these dimensions comprises of various indicators obtained from global reporting initiative (GRI) and corporate social responsibility reports. The application of the sustainability scorecard is performed via multi criteria decision making technique called analytical network process (ANP). A numerical study is provided.

Consumer responses to corporate social responsibility programs

2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 364-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Lu ◽  
Xia Wei ◽  
Kungchi Li
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Consumer Satisfaction ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Corporate Image ◽  
Consumer Involvement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Evaluation ◽  
Corporate Associations ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The paper aims to establish a causal relationship model that helps to realize how consumer involvement with the cause moderates the effect of company-cause fit on consumers’ corporate associations, and how their corporate associations regarding a company’s social responsibility programs influence their satisfaction with the company and the company’s corporate image, in the backdrop that the use of corporate social responsibility initiatives to affect consumers’ preference has become a common strategy. Design/methodology/approach – In the main study, the authors conducted a between-subjects factorial design to test the research model. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed, and a valid sample of 389 participants was obtained. Findings – The results show that high-fit programs have a positive influence on the perceived corporate ability (CA) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) associations. CA associations directly influence corporate image and consumer satisfaction, while CSR associations indirectly impact consumer satisfaction through corporate image. Furthermore, consumers’ involvement with the cause increases the relationship between company-cause fit and CA associations. Originality/value – These conclusions have important implications for a better understanding of consumer evaluation of CSR initiatives. Theoretically, this research increases understanding of the interaction effects of perceived company-cause fit and consumer involvement with the cause on consumer evaluation of a company engaged in CSR, and a richer insight into the role of CA and CSR associations in consumer evaluations of companies engaged in CSR campaigns. Managerially, this research shows how managers can choose CSR programs causes that are most likely to promote favorable customer CA and CSR associations, thereby improving the company’s corporate image and customer satisfaction.

Exploration of patriotic brand image: its antecedents and impacts on purchase intentions

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yufan Li ◽  
Weichen Teng ◽  
Tien-Tien Liao ◽  
Tom M.Y. Lin
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Brand Image ◽  
Purchase Intentions ◽  
Corporate Image ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Integrity ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeThe recent rise of economic nationalism intensifies consumers' patriotic attitudes toward goods or services and thus encourages enterprises to build patriotic brand images. Nevertheless, few studies have discussed how a patriotic brand image is developed. The purpose of this study aims to fill the gap by examining whether and how a positive corporate image helps a domestic brand establish a patriotic brand image and in turn enhances consumers' purchase intentions in relation to domestic brand products.Design/methodology/approachA research model identifying the antecedents of patriotic brand image (the components of corporate image) is proposed and empirically tested using structural equations with a questionnaire investigating Taiwanese college students' attitudes toward Taiwanese smartphone brands. Three competing models are also proposed and tested to confirm the appropriateness of the research model.FindingsIn addition to the widely recognized impact of perceived quality on purchase intentions, patriotic brand image is found to be effective in enhancing local consumers' intentions to purchase domestic brand products. To shape a patriotic brand image, perceived quality, perceived corporate ability and perceived corporate integrity are the direct approaches, while perceived corporate social responsibility works through perceived corporate integrity, and perceived employer brand enhances only perceived corporate social responsibility.Research limitations/implicationsPotential sampling (college students) and subject (smartphones) biases may limit the generalizability of the presented findingsPractical implicationsWhile patriotic appeals have long been used in marketing communication, they are also likely to precipitate negative brand associations (e.g. nationalism), offending consumers in other countries. By contrast, the development of a positive corporate image serves as an implicit and neutral approach to building a patriotic brand image and can help domestic brands attract local consumers with less harm to foreign markets.Originality/valueThis study is one of notably few studies discussing patriotic brand image and its impacts on purchase intentions. This study also identifies the antecedents of patriotic brand image and how each of them affects patriotic brand image. The findings can help guide domestic brands in building a patriotic brand image.

CEO inside debt and corporate social responsibility

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-546
Author(s):  
Shahbaz Sheikh
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Employee Relations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Inside Debt ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the relation between incentives from CEO inside debt (deferred compensation and pension benefits) and corporate social responsibility (CSR).Design/methodology/approachInstrumental variable (IV-GMM) regressions are used to estimate the relation between CEO inside debt and CSR.FindingsThe results of this paper indicate that CEOs with large inside debt tend to invest more in CSR. Analysis of CSR strengths and concerns supports this finding and shows that CEO inside debt is significantly positively (negatively) associated with CSR strengths (concerns). Further tests indicate that CEO inside debt exerts a positive and significant effect on all five dimensions of social performance (diversity, community, product, employee relations and environment).Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study are based on US corporations. Future research should investigate if these results hold for firms in other countries in order to better our understanding of the relation between CEO inside debt and CSR.Practical implicationsCEOs use CSR as a risk management strategy to reduce corporate risk in order to protect the value of their inside debt.Social implicationsThe results in this paper provide a practical tool to boards of corporations to increase investment in CSR. The results suggest that boards can encourage CEOs to invest in CSR by increasing incentives from inside debt.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature that examines the relation between inside debt and CSR by showing that CEO inside debt exerts a positive impact on CSR.

Orientation, attitude, and competency as predictors of manager’s role of CSR-implementing companies in Malaysia

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 415-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maimunah Ismail ◽  
Muhammad Ibnu Kassim ◽  
Mohd Rozi Mohd Amit ◽  
Roziah Mohd Rasdi
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Corporate Image ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Qualities ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – This exploratory study aims to investigate how the role of the CSR manager is influenced by his orientation to corporate social responsibility (CSR) responsibilities, his attitude and competency. Design/methodology/approach – The study involved 112 managers of CSR-implementing companies in the Klang Valley, a highly industrialized region in Malaysia. They were chosen based on a systematic random sampling technique. Findings – The study found that the level of role, orientation and competency of CSR managers was high, whereas that for attitude was moderate. Further, regression analysis results showed that the managers’ orientation to economic and ethical responsibilities as well as competency significantly influenced their role in CSR with an explanatory power of 20.1 per cent. Research limitations/implications – The study was cross-sectional in nature. Nevertheless, it involved a sample of company managers from a selected location in the country. The predictor variables were limited to orientation to economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities; attitude; and competency. Practical implications – The study highlights the importance of personal qualities of the manager and also the manager’s role in promoting community development CSR. These findings should be capitalized on by managers and other practitioners in CSR. Originality/value – The study findings contribute to research on CSR that is viewed from the perspective of corporate image being projected by the role of CSR managers, as influenced by their CSR orientation, attitude and competency. Recommendations for CSR and human resource development practice and future research on the predictors of the role of CSR managers are proposed.

Do corporate social responsibility practices yield different business benefits in eastern and western contexts?

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 556-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chen Wei ◽  
Carolyn P. Egri ◽  
Carol Yeh-Yun Lin
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Employee Commitment ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Corporate Image ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which societal culture has a moderating effect on the business benefits of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach – A cross-national research design was conducted using survey data collected from 164 firms in Taiwan and 196 firms in Canada. Findings – We found societal differences in the positive influence of CSR on corporate image and employee commitment. Specifically, we found that the relationships between CSR (customer-oriented and employee-oriented) and corporate image were stronger for Taiwanese firms than for Canadian firms. In addition, employee CSR was found to be more strongly associated with higher employee commitment in Taiwan than in Canada. While customer CSR was associated with enhanced customer loyalty, this relationship was similar for firms in both countries. Research limitations/implications – Multi-informants for data collection and longitudinal research design in future research would be required for further understanding of the relationships among the variables in this study. Practical implications – This paper suggests that the business benefits of customer and employee CSR practices may yield relatively greater competitive advantages in East Asian countries where CSR is not as established or taken for granted as in Western countries. Originality/value – This study draws on the strategic perspective to investigate the value of CSR practices yielding different business benefits in contrasting cultural contexts.

CSR: retailer activities vs consumer buying decisions

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 640-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulf Elg ◽  
Jens Hultman
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Specific Product ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Image ◽  
The Social ◽  
Consumer Perspective ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Corporate Level ◽  
Buying Decisions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a retailer’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and image influence consumer perceptions regarding the firm’s social responsibility, and how CSR aspects influence consumers buying decisions in store for a specific product. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative case study method is used, including interviews, document studies and observations. The CSR approach of a Swedish retailer is investigated at corporate level and in the store, and how this interacts with the views of consumers as they make decisions regarding the purchase of a disposable product. Findings – The authors propose the concept CSR identity to capture the internal efforts and positioning that a retailer attempts to achieve. Store activities and external independent stakeholders will have a main influence on whether the identity is regarded as credible by consumers. Furthermore, factors such as self-image and influences from the social network will influence whether a consumer will be committed to prioritize CSR aspects in the store. Practical implications – Gaps between the retailer and the consumer perspective on CSR, particularly relevant for disposable, low-involvement products are identified. It is critical for retailers to be aware of and address these gaps. Originality/value – The study captures corporate level, store level and consumer behaviour for a single retailer and is able to reflect upon how specific activities from the retailer interact with consumer attitudes and activities in the store. The authors connect various streams of research on CSR and retailing into one consistent framework.

Corporate social responsibility practices and disclosures in Thailand

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panya Issarawornrawanich ◽  
Suneerat Wuttichindanon
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Employee Relations ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Frameworks ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the patterns of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and disclosures of firms listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). Design/methodology/approach A total of 43 CSR indices under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s nine CSR components were used to quantify the CSR disclosures. The nine CSR components are good governance, environment, consumer protections, fair business practices, human rights, labor standards, community and society, innovation and anti-corruption. The common patterns of the CSR disclosures were subsequently identified using factor analysis. Findings The factor analysis identified four domains of the CSR disclosures of the SET-listed firms: employee relations, environment, anti-corruption and philanthropic efforts. Importantly, an increasing number of Thai firms are now attaching greater significance to the employee relations aspect of CSR, as opposed to in the past. In addition, an increasing number of the Thai companies have either initiated or participated in the anti-corruption campaigns. Originality/value The research offers an insight into the current development in CSR practices and disclosures in Thailand, as compared to a decade ago. To that end, this research conducted a survey on the CSR disclosures in relation to the nine CSR components, and factor analysis was used to establish the patterns of CSR practices. The findings are of great use to regulators in formulating legal frameworks and strategies to engage companies in CSR and also provide further evidence on the CSR practices in an emerging economy. Furthermore, the findings offer businesses and industries a disclosure benchmark, against which firms decide on the nature and extent of CSR information to disclose in the annual statements.

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