Does CSR make better citizens? The influence of employee CSR programs on employee societal citizenship behavior outside of work

Lisa D. Lewin, Danielle E. Warren, Mohammed AlSuwaidi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

While corporate social responsibility (CSR) is expected to benefit the firm and attract employees, few have examined the effects of CSR on employees outside of work. Extending the organizational citizenship literature, we conceptualize employee engagement in CSR at work and outside of work as a form of “societal citizenship behavior.” Across two studies of working adults, we examine the relationship between identification with an employer that engages in CSR and different forms of employee societal citizenship behaviors (e.g., donations, volunteering) outside of work. In Study 1 (N = 430 employees), we focus upon CSR donation programs and find that identification with an employer that engages in CSR and participating in employer CSR donation programs affect employee citizenship behavior (donations) outside of work. In Study 2 (N = 285 employees), we examine a broader set of citizenship behaviors inside and outside of work and find the relationships hold. Identification with an employer that engages in CSR relates positively to citizenship behavior at work and outside of work. In total, our study results suggest that employer CSR affects employee citizenship behaviors outside of work. We end with directions for future research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)271-288
Number of pages18
JournalBusiness and Society Review
Volume125
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 1 2020

Keywords

  • charity
  • corporate social responsibility (CSR)
  • organizational citizenship

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Business and International Management
  • Industrial relations
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • Strategy and Management

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