CSR and financial performance: The role of CSR awareness in the restaurant industry. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rhou, Yinyoung; Singal, Manisha; Koh, Yoon
• Is Part Of: International journal of hospitality management. Volume 57(2016)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) -- CSR awareness -- Stakeholder management -- Financial performance -- Social performance; Hotel management -- Periodicals; Restaurant management -- Periodicals; Food service management -- Periodicals; Hôtels -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Restaurants -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Services alimentaires -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Food service management; Hotel management; Restaurant management; Periodicals; 647.94
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhm.2016.05.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0278-4319

Abstract

Abstract: Initiatives for corporate social responsibility (CSR) often have served business as a source of competitive advantage. However, despite firms' attempts to capitalize on their CSR efforts, stakeholders' low awareness of these initiatives makes it difficult to realize the full value of the strategic CSR. In this study, we propose and test in the context of the restaurant industry whether CSR awareness, measured by CSR media coverage, moderates the relationship between the social and financial performance. Our results support the notion that stakeholders' CSR awareness affects the manner in which CSR initiatives can result in financial gain. Our research has implications both for firms' investment policies in social initiatives and for highlighting the importance of communicating CSR initiatives to relevant stakeholders.