Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Developing a measurement instrument for perceived Corporate citizenship using multi-stakeholder, multi-industry and cross-country validations

  • Published:
Quality & Quantity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Many measurement instruments of Corporate Citizenship are developed from an organizational perspective and do not adequately consider the knowledge of stakeholders which are asked to answer them. This study attempts to derive a measurement instrument for Perceived Corporate Citizenship which would be appropriately tailored for stakeholders who possess information asymmetry. A conceptualization of Corporate Citizenship which mapped the entire domain with 101 statements was adopted. Four studies then statistically refine these statements to the context of the case study firm, proceeded by Malaysia and then finally, internationally to the UK with over 1800 participants in total. Nomological and known-group validations ensure the psychometric soundness. The results provided a four-factor instrument consisting of Legal & Ethical Responsibilities, Environmental Oriented, Products & Services and Philanthropic Oriented, utilizing 28 statements. The theoretical contribution offers resolutions to critiques that had been given to Carroll’s Pyramid of CSR and thus updates an aging model.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and material

Considerations will be made whether to share data based on requests.

Code Availability

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data used in this study is not available elsewhere.

References

  • Alvarado-Herrera, A., Bigne, E., Aldas-Manzano, J., Curras-Perez, R.: A Scale for Measuring Consumer Perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility Following the Sustainable Development Paradigm. J. Bus. Ethics 140, 243–262 (2017a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baden, D.: A reconstruction of Carroll’s pyramid of corporate social responsibility for the 21st century. Int. J. Corp. Soc. Responsb. 1(1), 1 (2016)

  • Baxter, P., Jack, S.: Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study Design and Implementation for Novice Researchers. Qualitative Rep. 13(4), 544–559 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharya, C.B., Sen, S.: Consumer-company identification: A framework for understanding consumers’ relationships with companies. J. Mark. 67(2), 76–88 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boulding, K.E.: General Systems Theory-The Skeleton of Science. Manage. Sci. 2(3), 197–208 (1956)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buhanita, I.: Dimensions in CSR: an evaluation of current definitions. Jurnalism si comunicare 10(4), 64–72 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, A.B.: A Three-Dimensional Conceptual Model of Corporate Performance. Acad. Manage. Rev. 4(4), 497–505 (1979)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, A.B.: Corporate Social Performance Measurement: A Commentary on Methods for Evaluating an Elusive Construct. In: Post, J.E. (ed.) Research in Corporate Social Performance and Policy: A Research Annual (Vol, 12, pp. 385–401. JAI Press, USA (1991a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, A.B.: The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility: Toward the Moral Management of Organizational Stakeholders. Bus. Horiz. 34(4), 39–48 (1991b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, A.: Carroll’s pyramid of CSR: taking another look. Int. J. Corp. Soc. Responsib. 1(3), 1–8 (2016)

  • Dahlsrud, A.: How corporate social responsibility is defined: an analysis of 37 definitions. Corp. Social Responsib. Environ. Manage. 15(1), 1–13 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dhanesh, G.S.: CSR as organization–employee relationship management strategy: A case study of socially responsible information technology companies in India. Manage. Communication Q. 28(1), 130–149 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donaldson, T., Preston, L.: The stakeholder theory of the modern corporation: Concepts, evidence, implications. Acad. Manage. Rev. 20, 65–91 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donia, M.B.L., Sirsly, T., C.-A., & Ronen, S.: Employee Attributions of Corporate Social Responsibility as Substantive or Symbolic: Validation of a Measure. Appl. Psychol. 66(1), 103–142 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du, X., Du, Y., Zeng, Q., Pei, H., Chang, Y.: Religious atmosphere, law enforcement, and corporate social responsibility: Evidence from China. Asia Pac. J. Manage. 33(1), 229–265 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durham, J., Tan, B.K., White, R.: Utilizing Mixed Research Methods to Develop a Quantitative Assessment Tool: An Example From Explosive Remnants of a War Clearance Program. J. Mixed Methods Res. 5(3), 212–226 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, W.R., Davis, W.D.: An examination of perceived corporate citizenship, job applicant attraction, and CSR work role definition. Bus. Soc. 50(3), 456–471 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farooq, O., Payaud, M., Merunka, D., Valette-Florence, P.: The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Organizational Commitment: Exploring Multiple Mediation Mechanisms. J. Bus. Ethics 125(4), 563–580 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fatma, M., Rahman, Z., Khan, I.: Multi-Item Stakeholder Based Scale to Measure CSR in the Banking Industry. Int. Strategic Manage. Rev. 2, 9–20 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fordham, A.E., Robinson, G.M.: Mapping meanings of corporate social responsibility - an Australian case study. Int. J. Corp. Social Responsib. 3(14), 1–20 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, R.E.: Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Perspective. Pitman, Boston (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, R.E.: Response: Divergent Stakeholder Theory. Acad. Manage. Rev. 24(2), 233–236 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallagher, V.C., Hrivnak, M.W., Valcea, S., Mahoney, C.B., LaWong, D.: A comprehensive three-dimensional sustainability measure: The ‘missing P’ of ‘people’ – a vital stakeholder in sustainable development. Corp. Social Responsib. Environ. Manage. 25(5), 772–787 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gold, A.H., Malhotra, A., Segars, A.H.: Knowledge management: An organizational capabilities perspective. J. Manage. Inform. Syst. 18(1), 185–214 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S., Agrawal, R.: Environmentally responsible consumption: Construct definition, scale development, and validation. Corp. Soc. Responsib. Environ. Manag. 25(4), 523–536 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J.F., Howard, M.C., Nitzl, C.: Assessing measurement model quality in PLS-SEM using confirmatory composite analysis. J. Bus. Res. 109, 101–100 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J.F., Sarstedt, M.: Factors versus Composites: Guidelines for Choosing the Right Structural Equation Modeling Method. Project Manage. J. 50(6), 619–624 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hair, J.H.J., Black, W.C., Babin, B.J., Anderson, R.E.: Multivariate Data Analysis. Pearson Education Limited, Essex (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  • Halme, M., Rintamäki, J., Knudsen, J.S., Lankoski, L., Kuisma, M.: (2018). When Is There a Sustainability Case for CSR? Pathways to Environmental and Social Performance Improvements. Business & Society, 1–47

  • Hansen, D., Dunford, B., Alge, B., Jackson, C.: Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethical Leadership, and Trust Propensity: A Multi-Experience Model of Perceived Ethical Climate. J. Bus. Ethics 137(4), 649–662 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart, C.M., Ritchie, T.D., Hepper, E.G., Gebaur, J.E.: (2015). The Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding Short Form (BIDR-16). SAGE Open, October-December, 1–9

  • Homer, S.T.: (2021) Perceived corporate citizenship: a scale development and validation study adopting a bottom-up approach. Qual. Quant. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-021-01184-w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulland, J.: Use of Partial Least Squares (PLS) in Strategic Management Research: A Review of Four Studies. Strateg. Manag. J. 20, 195–204 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hur, W.-M., Kim, Y.: How does culture improve consumer engagement in CSR initiatives? The mediating role of motivational attributions. Corp. Social Responsib. Environ. Manage. 24(6), 620–633 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hur, W.-M., Moon, T.-W., Ko, S.-H.: How Employees’ Perceptions of CSR Increase Employee Creativity: Mediating Mechanisms of Compassion at Work and Intrinsic Motivation. J. Bus. Ethics 153(3), 629–644 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Idemudia, U.: Corporate social responsibility and developing countries: moving the critical CSR research agenda in Africa forward. Progress in Development Studies 11(1), 1–18 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joo, J., Shin, M.M.: Building sustainable business ecosystems through customer participation: A lesson from South Korean cases. Asia Pac. Manage. Rev. 23, 1–11 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S., Ji, Y.: Chinese Consumers’ Expectations of Corporate Communication on CSR and Sustainability. Corp. Social Responsib. Environ. Manage. 24(6), 570–588 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirsch, S.: Reverse anthropology: Indigenous analysis of social and environmental relations in New Guinea. Stanford University Press, Stanford (2006)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kline, R.B.: Convergence of structural equation modeling and multilevel modeling. In: Williams, M., Vogt, W.P. (eds.) The SAGE Handbook of Innovation in Social Research Methods. Sage (2011)

  • Lane, A.B., Devin, B.: Operationalizing stakeholder engagement in CSR: A process approach. Corp. Social Responsib. Environ. Manage. 25(3), 267–280 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lozano, R., van Haartman, R.: Reinforcing the holistic perspective of sustainability: Analysis of the importance of sustainability drivers in organizations. Corp. Social Responsib. Environ. Manage. 24(4), 508–522 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maignan, I., Ferrell, O.C.: Measuring Corporate Citizenship in Two Countries: The Case of the United States and France. J. Bus. Ethics 23, 283–297 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masoud, N.: How to win the battle of ideas in corporate social responsibility: the International Pyramid Model of CSR. Int. J. Corp. Soc. Responsib. 2(4), 1–22 (2017)

  • Maon, F., Lindgreen, A., Swaen, V.: Organizational Stages and Cultural Phases: A Critical Review and a Consolidative Model of Corporate Social Responsibility Development. Int. J. Manage. Rev. 12(1), 20–38 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez, P., Bosque, I.R.: CSR and customer loyalty: The roles of trust, customer identification with the company and satisfaction. Int. J. Hospitality Manage. 35, 89–99 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLennan, S., Banks, G.: Reversing the lens: Why corporate social responsibility is not community development. Corp. Social Responsib. Environ. Manage. 26(1), 117–126 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirvis, P., Googins, B.K.: Stages of Corporate Citizenship: A Developmental Framework. Calif. Manag. Rev. 48(2), 104–126 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moorthy, K., Na, S.A., Yee, C.W., Xian, C.Y., Jin, O.T., Mun, T.S., Shan, W.S.: Influence of corporate social responsibility in job pursuit intention among prospective employees in Malaysia. Int. J. Law Manage. 59(6), 1159–1180 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neron, P.-Y.: Rethinking the Ethics of Corporate Political Activities in a Post-Citizens United Era: Political Equality, Corporate Citizenship, and Market Failures. J. Bus. Ethics 136, 715–728 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Netemeyer, R.G., Bearden, W.O., Sharma, S.: Scaling Procedures: Issues and Applications. United States of America: Sage Publication, Inc (2003)

  • O’Riordan, L., Fairbrass, J.: Managing CSR Stakeholder Engagement: A New Conceptual Framework. J. Bus. Ethics 125(1), 121–145 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, E., Kim, K.J., Kwon, S.J.: Corporate social responsibility as a determinant of consumer loyalty: An examination of ethical standard, satisfaction, and trust. J. Bus. Res. 76, 8–13 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinkston, T. S., & Carroll, A. B.: A Retrospective Examination of CSR Orientations: Have They Changed? J. Busi. Ethics 15(2), 199–206 (1996)

  • Podsakoff, P.M., Organ, D.W.: Self-reports in organizational research: Problems and prospects. J. Manag. 12(4), 531–544 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosas, S.R., Ridings, J.W.: The use of concept mapping in measurement development evaluation: Application and future directions. Eval. Program Plan. 60, 265–276 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roth, S., Valentinov, V., Heidingsfelder, M., Pérez-Valls, M.: CSR Beyond Economy and Society: A Post-capitalist Approach. J. Bus. Ethics 165, 411–423 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salmones, M. d. M. G. d. l., Crespo, A.H., Bosque, I.R. d. (2005). Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility on Loyalty and Valuation of Services. Journal of Business Ethics, 61, 369–385

  • Salvado, M.F., Azevedo, S.G., Matias, J.C.O., Ferreira, L.M.: Proposal of a Sustainability Index for the Automotive Industry. Sustainability 7(2), 2113–2144 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schuberth, F., Henseler, J., Dijkstra, T.K.: Confirmatory Composite Analysis. Front. Psychol. 9, 1–14 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torugsa, N., O’Donohue, W., Hecker, R.: Capabilities, Proactive CSR and Financial Performance in SMEs: Empirical Evidence from an Australian Manufacturing Industry Sector. J. Bus. Ethics 109(4), 483–500 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trochim, W.M.K.: Pattern Matching, Validity, and Conceptualization in Program Evaluation. Eval. Rev. 9(5), 575–604 (1985)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verbeke, A., Tung, V.: The Future of Stakeholder Management Theory: A Temporal Perspective. J. Bus. Ethics 112, 529–543 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visser, W.: Revisiting Carroll’s CSR pyramid: An African Perspective. In: Pedersen, E.R., Huniche, M. (eds.) Corporate Citizenship in developing countries:- new partnership perspectives, pp. 29–56. Copenhagen Business School Press, Copenhagen (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Y.J., Tsai, Y.H., Lin, C.P.: Modeling the relationship between perceived corporate citizenship and organizational commitment considering organizational trust as a moderator. Bus. Ethics: Eur. Rev. 22(2), 218–233 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was funded by the Jeffery Cheah Foundation through PhD studentship. The authors have no relevant funding to declare.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Management Department, Sunway University Business School, Sunway University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

    Stephen T. Homer, Koon Vui Yee & Kuan Siew Khor

Authors
  1. Stephen T. Homer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Koon Vui Yee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kuan Siew Khor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen T. Homer.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest/Competing interests

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Disclosure Statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Homer, S.T., Yee, K.V. & Khor, K.S. Developing a measurement instrument for perceived Corporate citizenship using multi-stakeholder, multi-industry and cross-country validations. Qual Quant 57, 277–300 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-022-01361-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-022-01361-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation