CSR across the globe: Dutch and Indian consumers' responses to CSR
Document Type
Article
Source of Publication
International Journal of Organizational Analysis
Publication Date
7-1-2013
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer responses to CSR in a developed and emerging economy (The Netherlands and India). Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses a survey of 95 consumers in each country to investigate attitudes to CSR platforms and CSR initiatives and responses to CSR-based marketing strategies (in terms of attitude to the company and purchasing intent). Findings: The study found similar attitudes across nationalities to both CSR platforms and CSR initiatives, with greater importance assigned to CSR reflecting legal and ethical (rather than philanthropic) concerns. (Some) CSR-based marketing strategies, reflecting an ethical (people/planet) concern, led to significantly more positive attitudes to the company and higher purchasing intent. The study found some cross-cultural variation in the extent to which different CSR-based marketing strategies influenced consumer outcomes. Research limitations/implications: This is an exploratory study, limited to highly educated consumers. The study provides indications that stakeholder expectations in emerging and developed economies may be more similar than previously suggested. The philanthropic platform conventionally pursued in Indian business may not be the most effective way to engage (all segments of) Indian consumers. Findings suggest it is important that companies monitor stakeholders' CSR attitudes to ensure that CSR policy orientations meet stakeholder expectations. Originality/value: This paper uses an innovative approach to investigate responses to CSR policy and communications. CSR research on emerging economies is underrepresented in the literature. The findings suggest areas of further enquiry with implications for global business. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
DOI Link
ISSN
Publisher
Emerald
Volume
21
Issue
3
First Page
357
Last Page
372
Disciplines
Business
Keywords
Communication, Corporate social responsibility, CSR in emerging economies, CSR platforms, CSR pyramid, India, Social responsibility, Stakeholder engagement, The Netherlands
Scopus ID
Recommended Citation
Planken, Brigitte; Nickerson, Catherine; and Sahu, Subrat, "CSR across the globe: Dutch and Indian consumers' responses to CSR" (2013). All Works. 1137.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/1137
Indexed in Scopus
yes
Open Access
no