Consumers as employees: the impact of social responsibility on quality of work life among Australian engineers. Issue 1 (2nd March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arndt, Aaron D; Singhapakdi, Anusorn; Tam, Vivian
• Is Part Of: Social responsibility journal. Volume 11:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 108
• Publication Date: 2015-03-02
• Subjects: Corporate social responsibility -- Person-organization fit -- Quality of work life -- Socially responsible consumption orientation; Social responsibility of business -- Periodicals; 658.40805
• DOI: 10.1108/SRJ-06-2013-0075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-1117

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: – The aim of this paper is to investigate whether consumer values influence work-related attitudes. Employees often feel conflict among different aspects of their lives. Although most extant research has focused on the effect of family values on work attitudes, we investigate whether a fit between employees' socially responsible consumption orientation (SRCO) and firm corporate social responsibility (CSR) influences employee higher-order quality of work life. Design/methodology/approach: – Survey data from 112 members of an engineering association in Australia. Findings: – The results show that employees' consumer life roles can influence their work-related perceptions. However, contrary to expectations, the positive influence of CSR on higher-order quality of work life is weaker for employees who are more socially responsible consumers. Research limitations/implications: – Further research should examine other industry contexts and cultures. Also, because the SRCO construct is very broad, further research should examine specific social issues. Practical implications: – CSR can be an important strategy for retaining employees, even those with lower SRCO. Originality/value: – This research shows that customer values influence important work-related attitudes, such as higher-order quality of work life and organizational commitment. Furthermore, we show that "fit" between consumption orientation responsibility and firm CSR does not necessarily enhance work-related attitudes because employees high in SRCO likely hold the firm to a different standard of social responsibility.