Walking the talk about corporate social responsibility communication: An elaboration likelihood model perspective. Issue 3 (24th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Camilleri, Mark Anthony
• Is Part Of: Business ethics, the environment & responsibility. Volume 31:Issue 3(2022)
• Page Start: 649
• Page End: 661
• Publication Date: 2022-03-24
• Subjects: elaboration likelihood model -- information accuracy -- information relevance -- information timeliness -- source expertise -- source trustworthiness; Business ethics -- Periodicals; Social responsibility of business -- Periodicals; Business enterprises -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; 174.4; 174.4
• DOI: 10.1111/beer.12427
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2694-6416

Abstract

Abstract: Large organizations, including listed businesses, financial service providers as well as public services entities are increasingly disclosing information on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues through corporate websites or via social media. Therefore, this research uses valid measures from the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) to explore the individuals' attitudes toward online corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications. The data were gathered from a structured questionnaire among three hundred ninety‐two respondents ( n = 392). A structural equations modeling partial least squares (SEM‐PLS 3) approach was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the timeliness, relevance and accuracy of information as well as the source expertise were highly significant antecedents that were affecting the research participants' attitudes toward CSR communications. This contribution implies that there is scope for content curators to publish quality online information on their business activities to improve their trustworthiness and positive credentials among stakeholders.