TITLE:
An Analysis of the Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Employee Satisfaction
AUTHORS:
Shuyi Zhang
KEYWORDS:
Corporate Social Responsibility, Employee Satisfaction, Social Identity Theory, Organizational Support Theory, Stakeholder Theory
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.12 No.11,
November
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: This study explores the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and employee satisfaction. The research examines the theoretical foundations of CSR and employee satisfaction, including stakeholder theory, social identity theory, and organizational support theory. Through comparative analysis, the study constructs a theoretical framework for how CSR influences employee satisfaction. The research finds that CSR may affect employee satisfaction through multiple theoretical mechanisms: based on social exchange theory, CSR practices can be viewed as an organizational investment in employees, thereby increasing employee satisfaction; according to social identity theory, positive CSR performance can enhance employees’ organizational identification, thus improving satisfaction; based on signaling theory, CSR can signal organizational values and culture to employees, influencing their evaluation of the organization. The study also points out the complexities in the relationship between CSR and employee satisfaction, such as the differential impacts of various types of CSR activities, and the moderating effects of individual and organizational factors. To address these complexities, the research proposes a multi-level, dynamic theoretical model, emphasizing the importance of considering contextual factors. The study also discusses the theoretical connections between CSR and other organizational behavior variables (such as organizational commitment and work engagement), providing directions for future research.