Perceived corporate social responsibility and pro-environmental behaviour: Insights from business schools of Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and environmental sustainability have become urgent concerns for contemporary businesses. This study focuses on the interplay between corporate social responsibility perceptions and pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) in response to experts’ call for research on the micro-foundations of corporate social responsibility. In addition, it reveals the mechanism underpinning how perceived CSR shapes pro-environmental behaviour in an understudied developing context. Empirically, a qualitative multiple-case research design is utilised by selecting three business schools from Peshawar, Pakistan. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior management and faculty to collect data. Besides primary data, a qualitative documentary review is used to enhance the research. Data analysis is done through the thematic network technique. Plantation, cleanliness, waste reduction, and energy conservation are the environmental aspects of CSR as regarded by employees. In addition, perceived CSR shapes pro-environmental behaviour via environmental knowledge and awareness, eco-civic sense, environmental values, personality traits, religious perspective, and perceived organisational support for the environment. This study provides original additions to the CSR literature by suggesting eco-civic sensibility and religious perspective as new CSR drivers for pro-environmental conduct. Incorporating stakeholder salience into the context of the present study also advances CSR research. The findings are also valuable for management to make the CSR agenda of business schools more strategic, comprehensive, and centred on the priorities of salient stakeholders.

Employee green behavior: Bibliometric-content analysis

“…Moreover, there is a claim that corporate social responsibility (CSR) serves as a crucial instrument for promoting effective social, environmental, and organizational performance. Tariq demonstrate that perceived corporate social responsibility influences pro-environmental behavior both directly and indirectly, with the indirect impact being mediated by organizational identification [ 40 ]. Afsar summarized that environmental commitment, colleague pro-environmental activism, and moral reflectiveness are all directly influenced by perceived corporate social responsibility [ 41 ].…”

“…Past research consistently highlights the significant role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in shaping employee pro-environmental behavior (Mahmud [ 50 , 51 ]. The emerging concept of “micro-foundations of CSR,” focusing on individual actions and interactions, has gained traction and requires further exploration [ 52 , 53 ]. Investigating how employees' perceptions of CSR influence their engagement in pro-environmental behavior is crucial, given that employees are viewed as key stakeholders supporting organizational CSR initiatives and aligning their behavior with sustainable policies [ 54 ].…”

A Review of Smart Energy Management in Residential Buildings for Smart Cities

“…With a focus on renewable energy applications, sustainable urban planning in smart cities is investigated [105]. Similarly, the study [106] offers an integrated method for urban energy management for sustainable smart cities.…”

Barriers to Enduring Pro-Environmental Habits among Urban Residents

“…These studies found social and environmental concerns and perceptions regarding environmental problems are the main drivers of green behaviors. Recently, Sana Tariq [53] examined the interaction between pro-environmental behavior and corporate social responsibility perceptions in three business schools in Peshawar. Cleanliness, plantation, waste decrease, and energy preservation were taken as pro-environmental aspects of CSR.…”