Flying responsibly: effects of perceived corporate social responsibility on attitudes and behaviors of employees in the European aviation industry

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to examine how corporate social responsibility (CSR) affected the attitudes and behaviors of employees in the European aviation industry amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore any moderating effect of empathetic leadership.Design/methodology/approachBased on the social identity and social exchange theories, a research model was developed and tested against empirical data collected from employees of the European aviation industry, in 2021. Structural equation modeling and regression analyses were used for testing the hypothesized causal relationships.FindingsPerceived CSR is directly related to work engagement and indirectly associated with work engagement and job insecurity via organizational pride. The presence of an empathetic leader does not intensify the effects of perceptions of CSR on organizational pride. Work engagement, in turn, impacts organizational citizenship behavior, while no such effect of job insecurity is supported.Originality/valueThis study provides insight into the underlying mechanisms via which CSR affects employees during a crisis. It, also, has significant implications on human resources management within the industries severely affected by the pandemic.