Corporate social responsibility toward stakeholders and customer loyalty: investigating the roles of trust and customer identification with the company

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Niki Glaveli

Purpose This study aims to uncover the underlying multiple intervening mechanisms between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and customer loyalty. Social identity and social exchange theories offer the ground for prediction that the primary outcomes of CSR initiatives are customer–company (C–C) identification and customer trust, which in turn affect customer loyalty. Also, the differential effect of CSR behaviors toward specific stakeholder groups on customer attitudes and behaviors are examined. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 333 customers of telecommunication companies in Greece. Structural equation modeling was used to test the postulated relationships. Findings The findings demonstrate that both C–C identification and customer trust intervene in the relationship between customer perceptions of CSR and customer loyalty; however, the identification mechanism is stronger than the trust mechanism in building customer loyalty while C–C identification seems to drive customer trust. Moreover, out of the three CSR components (customers, employees, and society/environment) that were considered as relevant to customers and were investigated, customer-centric activities were found to be the stronger predictor of both C–C identification and customer trust. Also, CSR toward society/environment was found to positively influence C–C identification. Practical implications The findings of this research can assist practitioners in effectively conceptualizing CSR image from a customers’ point of view and designing their company’s CSR and communication strategies to boost positive customer responses and strong long-term relationships. Originality/value The current study provides further insights into the complex relationship between CSR and customer responses and the impact that different CSR activities may have on customers.

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rizal E Halim ◽  
Ahmadan Maulana Hermawan

In addition to running the rules set by the government, the activity of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is also carried out by the company in increasing customer loyalty. This study aims to analyze the influence of CSR activities at the local aircraft company and local banking company to customer loyalty mediated by customer trust,C-C(Consumer-Company) identification, and customer satisfaction. Selection of these two industries because ofgrowththat hasoccurredeveryyear. The sample was consumers who have used the services of local aircraft in the last six months and consumers were registered as clients of local banks in the six months before the study began. This study uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and found that for consumers from local aircraft, the company's CSR activities significantly affect customer loyalty through mediation of customer trust, while consumers from  local bank, CSR activities significantly affect the customer loyalty through mediation of c-cidentification.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mert Gürlek ◽  
Ertugrul Düzgün ◽  
Selma Meydan Uygur

Purpose This paper aims to investigate whether corporate image has a mediating effect on the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on customer loyalty in independent hotels. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from customers of five-star hotels located in Istanbul in Turkey. The theoretical model was tested with 404 usable data. The results were analyzed by using structural equation modeling (SEM). Findings Findings show that CSR creates customer loyalty partially through corporate image in the independent hotels. In addition, it was found that the hotels included in the study carried out moderate level of CSR activities. Research limitations/implications The research model was tested in independent five-star hotels. Further studies could be carried out using different independent hospitality companies. In addition, the research was conducted on a limited sample, as hotel managers were not willing to allow direct contact with customers. Further studies could be carried out on larger samples. Practical implications This study recommends that independent hotels carry out more CSR activities on social and environmental issues. In addition, direct effect of CSR on customer loyalty is lower than its indirect effect via corporate image. Therefore, if companies desire to create customer loyalty through CSR, they should introduce their CSR activities to customers via communication tools (website, media etc.) Originality/value This study examines CSR in terms of sustainable development in the independent hotels. Furthermore, it explains relationships between CSR and corporate image and customer loyalty through the principle of generalized reciprocity specified in the theory of social change.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 231-249
Author(s):  
Evans Asante Boadi ◽  
Zheng He ◽  
Eric Kofi Boadi ◽  
Josephine Bosompem ◽  
Philip Avornyo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to draw on affect social exchange theory and related literature to develop and test a research model linking employees’ perception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to their outcomes [performance and organisational pride (ORP)] with moderating variables: perceived work motivation patterns (autonomous and controlled motivation) to sustain firm’s operations through their employees. Design/methodology/approach The authors used Ghana as a case for this study due to recent turbulences in the banking sector of Ghana. A sample data of 244 subordinate/supervisor dyads from rural and community banks was collected with a time-lagged technique and analysed through a structural equation modelling for this study. Findings These employee’s perceptions of CSR positively related to their performance and ORP. Autonomous motivated employees had a stronger positive moderated impact on perceived CSR-Performance link whereas controlled motivated employees recorded a stronger impact on perceived CSR-ORP link. Practical implications Based on these results, managers and human resource (HR) professionals can aim at acquiring favourable employees’ perception of their firms’ CSR initiatives. In that, it can help firms to remain in business particularly in difficult times. Also, autonomous and controlled motivators may seem inversely related, however, they are not contradictory to each other. Both can coexist within a firm and it is crucial that HR professionals and managers endeavour to balance them discreetly to attain organisational goals. Originality/value Despite the growing interest in CSR across continents, CSR outcomes on employees among small and medium scale firms especially in Africa has fairly been toned-down by respective management of firms, governments and researchers.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Esti Susanti

In recent business competition, marketing managers try to satisfying consumers and building stable-long term relationship between company and consumer. The relationship needs consumer’s trust to company. That is why marketing managers are interested in knowing the impact of trust, loyalty and corporate social responsibility (CSR) toward customer retention (repurchase intention) in order to develop the long term profitability of the company. The long term relationship with consumers results in profitability and also impacts of survival and company development. In other word, trust influences toward loyalty and consumer retention. In the same moment, it is not surprising that academicians and practitioner effort to understand trust, customer loyalty, repurchase intention and CSR. This research examines firstly, influence of customer trust toward customer loyalty. Secondly, the research examines influence of customer loyalty toward repurchase intention. Thirdly, the research examines the role of perceived CSR as a moderating variable on the influence customer trust toward customer loyalty. The packaged-drinking water Aqua is taken as the research context because the Aqua company have donated 10 litter clean water in East Indonesia for each of one litter consumer buying. The result of the research shows that perceived CSR play a strong and positive role of influencing trust toward loyalty. Otherwise, trust influences strongly toward loyalty and loyalty influences strong enough toward repurchase intention. The result is expected to give managerial benefit for Aqua Company and also theoretical development in marketing related to the moderation role of perceived CSR in the influence of trust toward loyalty and repurchase intention.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anura De Zoysa ◽  
Nobyuki Takaoka ◽  
Yuqian Zhang

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the impact of three key factors — corporate social responsibility (CSR) awareness, CSR affordability and CSR management system (CSRMS) sophistication—on the CSR performance of Japanese firms.Design/methodology/approachUsing responses to 36 items developed on the Global CSR standard of ISO26000, two CSR indexes were constructed to assess the CSR management system sophistication and performance of Japanese firms. The relationship between the three key variables (CSR awareness, affordability and management system sophistication) and CSR performance was then examined through a partial least squares (PLS)-based structural equation model. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 146 firms.FindingsThe results of the study found a positive relationship between CSR performance and three exogenous variables (CSR awareness, affordability and management system sophistication). Furthermore, the study found that CSRMS sophistication played a mediating role in the relationship between CSR performance and firms' CSR awareness and affordability.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was limited to examining the CSR practices of a major province in Japan, which may hinder the generalisation of the findings to the rest of the country. Moreover, the data used for assessing the variables in this study were self-reported by the participating firms, in addition to being cross-sectional. The findings of this study clarified areas that policymakers, including Japan's business associations–Keidanren and Keizai Doyukai, and other relevant parties need to focus on for further improving CSR performances of Japanese firms.Originality/valueThis study highlights the role CSR awareness, affordability and CSRMS sophistication play in improving CSR performance. On the one hand, it identifies the critical role CSRMS plays in mediating the relationship among CSR performance, awareness and affordability. On the other hand, it advances CSR theory providing insight for practitioners to generate positive CSR outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter K. Turyakira

Businesses are increasingly required to address the demands of key stakeholders, in addition to those of shareholders. There is an increasing role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to large businesses and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) alike. However, research to support the degree of the application of CSR activities to SMEs with respect to customer loyalty is limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the selected CSR activities that impact the customer loyalty of SMEs. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to selected SMEs in Kampala District, while Structural Equation Modeling was utilised to determine the influence of independent variables on the dependent variable. The study findings revealed that the selected CSR activities (Society-oriented CSR activities, Market-oriented CSR activities and Environmental-oriented CSR activities) positively influence the Customer loyalty of SMEs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 671-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Akbari ◽  
Maryam Mehrali ◽  
Nader SeyyedAmiri ◽  
Niloofar Rezaei ◽  
Afsaneh Pourjam

Purpose In the current era, businesses and customers are becoming increasingly concerned with social and environmental issues, and unlike the past, the main focus is not merely on economic growth. As new customers are getting more informed and responsible toward their surroundings, it is necessary for enterprises to act responsibly to attract responsible customers. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on brand positioning and customer loyalty in travel agencies in Tehran, Iran. Design/methodology/approach Through quota sampling, 86 agencies are selected and a number of 200 customers of those travel agencies are surveyed by means of purposive sampling. Findings The result reveals that CSR has a significant effect on loyalty of customers and brand positioning. In addition, the results indicate that all hypotheses have significant effects except for the C-C identification on customer loyalty. Practical implications Tourism managers should bear in mind that performing CSR activities is not merely a cost burden but a viable strategy for creating competitive advantage. They should adapt their CSR activities to the industry environment. Originality/value The study provides important evidence about CSR and their role in brand positioning and customer loyalty in tourism industry. In addition, the study contributes to the literature by developing the link between CSR and brand positioning.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 431-439
Author(s):  
Dana E. Harrison ◽  
O.C. Ferrell ◽  
Linda Ferrell ◽  
Joe F. Hair, Jr

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to theoretically develop and empirically validate separate scales that represent a consumer’s expectations of business ethics (BE) and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach A literature review and qualitative research were conducted to generate items for the scales. Initial item reduction was performed qualitatively based on a panel of experts. A follow-up quantitative assessment using an exploratory factor analysis further reduced the items. The scales were then validated using confirmatory composite analysis with partial least squares-structural equation modeling. Findings Separate scales representing consumers’ expectations of BE and CSR behaviors were developed. The scales exhibited reliability, convergent validity, discriminant validity and external validity. Practical implications The separation of these scales into two components will facilitate more precise examination of consumer perceptions of these two components of product and brand images, and how they may impact brand attitudes and brand trust. Originality/value This is the first effort to develop separate scales for consumer expectations of ethics and CSR, and assess their impact on brand outcomes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Chatzoudes ◽  
Dimitrios Papadopoulos ◽  
Efstathios Dimitriadis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between consumer perceptions about large companies and behavioral intention toward buying products from these companies. It is hypothesized that the better the perceptions, the higher the behavioral intention. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies are proposed as the perfect tool to improve consumer perceptions and, hence, increase the customer base of large organizations. Such an approach has randomly been explored in the existing literature, making the examination of the proposed conceptual framework of the study an interesting research topic. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed conceptual framework was tested on a sample of Greek consumers. The final sample consisted of 454 adult consumers. The reliability and the validity of the newly developed questionnaire were thoroughly examined. Empirical data were analyzed using the “Structural Equation Modeling” technique. Findings – The results of the quantitative research highlighted the negative perceptions of Greek consumers toward large companies but, at the same time, revealed the statistically significant positive effect of certain dimensions of consumer perceptions on behavioral intention. In more detail, “interest toward community and employees” and “contribution to economic prosperity” seem to enhance behavioral intention, with the first being the most important factor. Research limitations/implications – A limitation stemming from the implemented methodology is the use of self-report scales to measure the constructs of the proposed model. Moreover, as the measurement of consumer perceptions has never been attempted in the existing literature, the items used to measure this construct were created after an extensive review of theoretical papers, failing to incorporate scales that have been already tested for their reliability. Practical implications – Using the findings of the empirical analysis as guiding lights, the present study proposes certain measures for large organizations. Highly proposed policies are offered in the final part of the paper. These policies are connected with enhancing the perceived interest of the company toward its community and employees. Originality/value – The present paper proposes a conceptual framework that examines CSR under a context that has been randomly examined before. It goes beyond theoretical principles and approaches issues that are vital for large organizations. Moreover, the results of the study may be generalized in other developed countries with similar economic realities (e.g. Spain, Italy, Portugal and Ireland).


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