The Perception of Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Flourishing: Cultural Diversity as an Underlying Mechanism

Authors

  • Telma Mendes CIICESI, ESTG, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal; University of Vigo – ECOBAS/REDE, Vigo, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6499-6968
  • Pamela Silva Faculty of Economics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • Marisa Ferreira CIICESI, ESTG, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4194-9127
  • Teresa Proença Faculty of Economics, CEF.UP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  • Ana Borges CIICESI, ESTG, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4244-5393

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/ecie.19.1.2430

Keywords:

corporate social responsibility, cultural diversity, employee engagement, job satisfaction, employee well-being

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been a field of interest over the past couple of decades. The challenges posed by rapidly evolving technology and frequently changing market conditions along with well-informed customers, have compelled firms to pay greater attention to their stakeholders and address social, economic, and environmental issues. This heightened focus on CSR reflects a growing perception that success transcends financial gains and encompasses broader benefits to communities and society. Moreover, there is growing recognition of the impact of internal CSR practices, which not only enhance a firm’s reputation, assets, and customer retention but also significantly influence the well-being, engagement, and satisfaction of their workforce. Currently, for some firms, particularly multinational corporations (MNCs), promoting internal CSR practices becomes particularly complex amidst diverse workforces encompassing varied languages and cultures. This study, thus, explores the relationship between perceived CSR practices and workplace outcomes, including the mediating role of cultural diversity. Based on data collected from 211 employees in 19 different countries, the results reveal that perceived CSR effects on employee well-being, satisfaction, and engagement are driven by diversified cultural settings. Accordingly, these findings reinforce the urgency to delve deeper into the implications of cultural diversity within CSR frameworks.

Author Biographies

Telma Mendes, CIICESI, ESTG, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal; University of Vigo – ECOBAS/REDE, Vigo, Spain

Telma Mendes earned her Ph.D. in Economic Analysis and Business Strategy in the University of Vigo (Spain). She has a BSc in Business Sciences and MSc in International Management, and also serves as an effective member of the Certified Accountants Order’s (Portugal). She is an Invited Adjunct Professor at ESTG-IPP.

Pamela Silva, Faculty of Economics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Pamela Silva has a Master degree in Services Management from University of Porto, and a Bachelor degree in Tourism from Brasília University. She is an experienced broker with a demonstrated history of working in the package/freight delivery industry.

Marisa Ferreira, CIICESI, ESTG, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Marisa R. Ferreira has a PhD in Business Sciences from University of Porto. She is an associate professor and head of the MSc in Nonprofit Management at ESTG-IPP. At the moment, she is the Vice-Dean at ESTG-IPP, in charge of Internationalization, Knowledge Transfer and Sustainability.

Teresa Proença, Faculty of Economics, CEF.UP, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Associate Professor with Habilitation, Faculty of Economics, University of Porto (FEP) and researcher at CEF.UP. Director of the Executive Master in Retail Operations Management at FEP- Director of the Postgraduation in People Management at Porto Business School. Associate editor of the Review of Business Management. Author of several international publications.

Ana Borges, CIICESI, ESTG, Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal

Ana Borges holds a PhD in Science - Mathematics, from Minho’s University. Vice Director of the Centre for Innovation and Research in Business Sciences and Information Systems (CIICESI). Assistant professor at ESTG, IPP, and director of the Natural and Exact Sciences Department. Fields of expertise are statistics and machine learning.

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Published

2024-09-20