Striving for Impact through Corporate Social Responsibility: Exploring Predictors, Processes and Outcomes
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Quality and operations management (MPQOM), MSc
Publicerad
2024
Författare
Guðjónsdóttir, Elísabet Ásta
Hellberg Mörland, Krista
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and actions toward creating a better
local society are often strategic approaches that companies consider vital for their
success and long-term profitability. Companies engage in CSR based on various
motives, with multiple factors impacting the processes and leading to different
outcomes. The aim of this study is to explore the diverse predictors, processes, and
outcomes of CSR, providing a deeper understanding of how organisations implement
CSR from a multilevel perspective. By using a comparative qualitative research
method, this study conducted semi-structured interviews with representatives from
seven different companies in the Gothenburg area.
The analysis of the data revealed several key findings. Firstly, instrumental and
normative motives were identified as driving motivators for CSR engagement,
underlining the importance of aligning organisational values with societal
responsibilities. Intrinsic motivation serves as an important individual-level predictor
for CSR engagement, transferred to the organisational-level mediating effect of
managerial interpretations of CSR as an opportunity. Secondly, stakeholders'
collaboration and engagement enhance the impact and effectiveness of CSR initiatives.
Finally, CSR initiatives lead to different outcomes, including strengthened stakeholder
relations, enhanced reputation, and increased customer preference.
By aligning CSR activities with stakeholder expectations and organisational values,
organisations can enhance their societal impact and contribute to sustainable
development. The results of this thesis are limited to the geographical and socio-
economic context of Gothenburg or similar areas and the data was collected at the
organisational-level, therefore future research can further explore the multilevel
interactions to better understand cross-level interaction.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Corporate Social Responsibility , Societal Responsibility , Stakeholder engagement , Creating Shared Value , Strategic CSR , Sensemaking , Collaboration