The Role of CSR in the Corporate Identity of Banking Service Providers

Abstract

The study here is a qualitative research based on multiple case studies of banking service providers to analyze the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the definition of the corporate identity of these kinds of organizations. The results show that, although companies increasingly integrate CSR into their business strategies, there are some aspects of its management such as its communication or the measurement of its results that detract from its success. These results have important implications for those managers pursuing an effective management of CSR policies and strategies in their organizations, especially as the information comes from 6 of the biggest and most important banking institutions in a European country, with a declared assets (loans) volume which represents 62.75% of the total assets in the national banking industry, and thus largely representing the possible heterogeneity of the market in terms of company size, location, legal status, and management styles.

Corporate Reputation in The Spanish Context: An Interaction Between Reporting to Stakeholders and Industry

“…Scholars consider that firm legitimation is "a process that translates past performance into an expectation for the future" (de Quevedo et al, 2007, p.60 King and Whetten (2008) believe that the link that provides common ground for the treatment of legitimacy and reputation as complementary concepts is the notion of corporate identity, which is commonly reflected in CSR and sustainability reports (Pérez and Rodríguez del Bosque, 2012). This perspective is explained by the ideas of the signalling theory (Toms, 2002), which argues that companies engage in CSR reporting as a way to signal their reputation to stakeholders (Michelon, 2011).…”

An Examination Regarding the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within Financial Institutions: A Literature Review

“…Weber et al (2012) examined the CSR and sustainability practices of 1800 firms wherein 400 of which were financial institutions. The results of the analysis showed that the financial sector is generally weak in practicing CSR, contrary to the perceived preponderance of CSR among financial institutions (Pérez & del Bosque, 2012). Weber at al.…”

“…There is still no clear evidence on how factors such as regulations, external pressure, and the anticipated economic benefits of CSR are influential in the success or failure of CSR (Weber et al, 2012). Despite these gaps in research, there is still a widespread recognition that CSR can be beneficial to financial institutions (Pérez & del Bosque, 2012).…”

Corporate Social Responsibility in Commercial Banking - A Case Study from the Czech Republic

“…According to study of Pérez and Del Bosque (2012) which focused on Spanish banking institutions, banks tend to promote only those activities through CSR from which generally the greatest benefit have. In the banking sector, there are three basic groups: customers whom banks try to meet their financial needs; employees whom banks try to create a perfect working conditions to achieve their satisfaction and at last community (bank's surrounding) where banks contribute to a sustainable growth.…”

“…In the banking sector, there are three basic groups: customers whom banks try to meet their financial needs; employees whom banks try to create a perfect working conditions to achieve their satisfaction and at last community (bank's surrounding) where banks contribute to a sustainable growth. In the area of CSR activities, Pérez and Del Bosque (2012) accuse banks of short-term improvement of bank's image and profit increase. According to authors, it is necessary to incorporate a social responsibility into organization's image and into a long-term strategy to reduce skepticism.…”