Employee perspective on CSR: a review of the literature and research agenda

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to review the available academic literature on CSR from employees’ perspective, with an objective to better understand the individual-level analysis of CSR and clarify the current state of thinking in the area. Specifically, the authors present the evolution of the concept of CSR, from the historical overview to the emergence of recent theory and conceptualizations; the underlying theoretical foundations of CSR; the studied variables for CSR; and the research gaps and future work avenues in the field of CSR. Design/methodology/approach In all, 158 articles from 72 journals were included in the review, and a comprehensive analysis of the reviewed articles was performed. Findings This paper makes a significant contribution to the literature by presenting a comprehensive review of the articles published in academic journals, focusing on employees’ perspective of CSR. The findings advance the understanding of the research trend in employee-focused micro-level CSR research. They will assist organizations better understand “why,” “how” and “when” employees react to CSR initiatives of an organization. This paper also identifies the existing gaps in employee-centric CSR research, which will provide important directions for future research in the area. Research limitations/implications The review focused exclusively on journal publications. Dissertations, conference papers, working papers and practitioner papers were excluded, as they are not peer-reviewed. Originality/value This paper is one of the comprehensive review papers that focus exclusively on employees’ perspective of CSR, by analyzing 158 articles from the period 1961-2017.

The strategic intersection of HR and CSR: CSR motive and millennial joining intention

“…CSR is held to be a forbearer of long-term profit and socially responsible brand image (Turner et al, 2019). It has also been associated with potential or incumbent employees' satisfaction, engagement, turnover intention, organizational attractiveness, and job pursuit intention (Akhouri & Chaudhary, 2019). Although existing CSR research has enhanced our understanding of the relationships between CSR and other related outcomes, those that comprehensively interrogate the direct and underlying relationship between CSR and millennial joining intention are inadequate.…”

“…A unique approach is needed to appeal to potential millennial employees because past traditional HRM practices of talent attraction have been rendered ineffective (Turner et al, 2019), and recruiting quality employees is now critical for the performance and survival of organizations (Klimkiewicz & Oltra, 2017). Studies have linked organizational CSR engagement to the different attitudinal dispositions of potential employees (Akhouri & Chaudhary, 2019). Others specifically indicate that CSR is attractive to stakeholders who have deep sensitivity for CSR and ethical issues (Klimkiewicz & Oltra, 2017).…”

“…Since organizations' CSR motive could influence stakeholders' evaluation of, relationship with, and behavioral outcome toward organizations (Akhouri & Chaudhary, 2019), it would be vital for organizations to take into account millennial's perception of organizational CSR motivation since CSR-related issues are important to this generational cohort. Today's ethically charged and aware environment could benefit from insights about how CSR motive perception, i.e., CSR-based OA and PA affects millennials, who are at present the burgeoning entrants in the workplace, and their intention to seek employment with an organization.…”

“…The competition for qualified millennial employees among organizations and the cost associated with employee attraction (Waples & Brachle, 2020) also buttress the relevance of this study. Furthermore, studies about stakeholder's CSR motive perception have largely concentrated on other stakeholders but millennials (Akhouri & Chaudhary, 2019;Vuković, Miletić, Čurčić, & Ničić, 2020), and an ambiguous relationship still exists between CSR and millennial joining intention (Waples & Brachle, 2020).…”

Effect of corporate social responsibility on eco-citizenship behaviour in luxury hotels: eco-lifestyle as a moderator

“…Suffice to say that very little focus (in recent times) have been given to micro-level outcomes (Story and Neves, 2015;Mensah et al, 2017). Notably, in the hospitality management literature, Guzzo et al (2020) and Glavas (2016), among other systematic reviews, have reported that, inspite of the burgeoning interest in CSR, a plethora of questions remain on when and how CSR affects the behaviour and attitudes of key stakeholders such as employees and customers (Akhouri and Chaudhary, 2019). Much more crucial concern is that recent studies (Jones et al, 2016;Kim et al, 2017) on CSR and sustainability in general in the hospitality sector do not account for how, why and when CSR influences the behaviour and attitudes of employees.…”