Share:


CSR activities and consumer loyalty: the effect of the type of publicizing medium

    Pere Mercadé-Melé   Affiliation
    ; Sebastian Molinillo   Affiliation
    ; Antonio Fernández-Morales   Affiliation
    ; Lucia Porcu   Affiliation

Abstract

This research develops a model to predict the effect of advertising a socially responsible activity on perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its influence on consumer loyalty. It examines the relationships between company-cause congruence, corporate credibility, altruism attribution and perceived CSR, and CSR with consumer loyalty, and analyzes the moderating effect of the type of communication medium (i.e. traditional medium vs. social medium). This study is original because it fills the gap in the CSR communication literature in the evaluation of how the use of one or another type of medium to advertise a cause related marketing activity influences the effect of perceived CSR on consumer loyalty. An empirical study was conducted with two samples of consumers, each of which was exposed to the same advertisement, inserted in either a newspaper or posted on a social network. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results carry implications for CSR activities and communications management as they validate the proposed model that integrates the antecedents of perceived CSR and its influence on loyalty, and show that the traditional medium model has a better fit and its overall effect is greater than the social medium model. From a practical perspective, this study has several implications regarding the importance of communicating CSR activities.

Keyword : CSR, corporate communication, congruence, credibility, altruism attribution, loyalty, retail

How to Cite
Mercadé-Melé, P., Molinillo, S., Fernández-Morales, A., & Porcu, L. (2018). CSR activities and consumer loyalty: the effect of the type of publicizing medium. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 19(3), 431-455. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2018.5203
Published in Issue
Nov 13, 2018
Abstract Views
3596
PDF Downloads
2677
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Agudo, J. M., Gargallo, P., & Salvador, M. (2015). Measuring corporative social performance in firms: a bayesian factor analysis approach. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 16(3), 638-659. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2012.745816

Ali, I., Jiménez-Zarco, A. I., & Bicho, M. (2015). Using social media for CSR communication and engaging stakeholders. In A. Adi, G. Grigore, & D. Crowther (Eds.), Corporate social responsibility in the digital age developments in corporate governance and responsibility (Vol. 7, pp. 165-185). Wagon Lane, UK: Emerald Group Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2043-052320150000007010

Anderson, J., & Gerbing, D. (1988). The use of pledges to build and sustain commitment in distribution channels: a review and recommended two-step approach. Psychological Bulletin, 103, 411-423. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.103.3.411

Barone, M. J., Norman, A. T., & Miyazaki, A. D. (2007). Consumer response to retailer use of cause-related marketing: is more fit better?. Journal of Retailing, 83(4), 437-445. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2007.03.006

Becker-Olsen, K. L., Cudmore, B. A., & Hill, R. P. 2006. The impact of perceived corporate social responsibility on consumer behavior. Journal of Business Research, 59(1), 46-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2005.01.001

Bentler, P. (1992). On the fit of models to covariances and methodology to the Bulletin. Psychological Bulletin, 112(3), 400-404. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.112.3.400

Bentler, P., & Bonnet, D. (1980). Significance tests and goodness of fit in the analysis of covariance structures. Psychological Bulletin, 88, 588-606. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.88.3.588

Berens, G., van Riel, C. B. M., & van Bruggen, G. H. (2005). Corporate associations and consumer product responses: the moderating role of corporate brand dominance. Journal of Marketing, 69, 35-48. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.69.3.35.66357

Berg, K. T., & Sheehan, K. B. (2014). Social media as a CSR communication channel: the current state of practice. In M. W. DiStaso & D. Sevick Bortree (Eds.), Ethical practice of social media in public relations (pp. 99-110). New York: Routledge.

Bigné, E., Currás, R., & Aldás, J. (2012). Dual nature of cause-brand fit: influence on corporate social responsibility consumer perception. European Journal of Marketing, 46(3/4), 575-594. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090561211202620

Bigné, E., Currás, R., & Sánchez, I. (2009). Brand credibility in cause-related marketing: the moderating role of consumer values. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 18(6), 437-447. https://doi.org/10.1108/10610420910989758

Cheung, G. W., & Rensvold, R. B. (2002). Evaluating goodness-of-fit indexes for testing measurement invariance. Structural Equation Modeling, 9(2), 233-255. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15328007SEM0902_5

Chi, H. H. (2011). Interactive digital advertising vs. virtual brand community: exploratory study of user motivation and social media marketing responses in Taiwan. Journal of Interactive Advertising, 12(1), 44-61. https://doi.org/10.1080/15252019.2011.10722190

Cronbach, L. J. (1951). Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests. Psychometrika, 16(3), 297-334. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02310555

Dehghani, M., & Tumer, M. (2015). A research on effectiveness of Facebook advertising on enhancing purchase intention of consumers. Computers in Human Behavior, 49, 597-600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.03.051

Diamantopoulos, A., & Siguaw, J. A. (2000). Introducing LISREL: a guide for the uninitiated. Sage Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849209359

Donia, M. B., & Sirsly, C. A. T. (2016). Determinants and consequences of employee attributions of corporate social responsibility as substantive or symbolic. European Management Journal, 34(3), 232-242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2016.02.004

Du, S., Bhattacharya, C. B., & Sen, S. (2010). Maximizing business returns to corporate social responsibility (CSR): the role of CSR communication. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(1), 8-19. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2009.00276.x

Du, S., Bhattacharya, C. B., & Sen, S. (2007). Reaping relational rewards from corporate social responsibility: the role of competitive positioning. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 24(3), 224-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijresmar.2007.01.001

Ellen, P. S., Webb, D. J., & Mohr, L. A. (2006). Building corporate associations: consumer attributions for corporate socially, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 34(2), 147-157. https://doi.org/10.1177/0092070305284976

Etter, M. (2013). Reasons for low levels of interactivity: (Non-) interactive CSR communication in twitter. Public Relations Review, 39(5), 606-608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2013.06.003

Folkes, V. S. (1988). Recent attribution research in consumer behavior: a review and new directions. Journal of Consumer Research, 14(4), 548-565. https://doi.org/10.1086/209135

Fornell, C., & Bookstein, F. L. (1982). Two structural equation models: LISREL and PLS applied to consumer Exit-Voice Theory. Journal of Marketing Research, 19, 440-452. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151718

Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39-50. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151312

Golob, U., Podnar, K., Elving, W. J., Ellerup Nielsen, A., & Thomsen, C. (2013). CSR communication: quo vadis?. Corporate Communications: an International Journal, 18(2), 176-192. https://doi.org/10.1108/13563281311319472

Green, T., & Peloza, J. (2015). How did the recession change the communication of corporate social responsibility activities?. Long Range Planning, 48(2), 108-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2014.07.004

Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., Anderson, R. E., & Tatham, R. (2005). Multivariate data analysis. Prentice Hall: New Jersey.

Herzig, C., & Schaltegger, S. (2006). Corporate sustainability reporting. An overview. In S. Chaltegger (Ed.), Sustainability Accounting and Reporting (pp. 301-324). Netherland: Springer.

Hu, L, & Bentler, P. (1999). Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Structural Equation Modeling: a Multidisciplinary Journal, 6(1), 1-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118

Iacobucci, D., & Churchill, G. A. (2010). Marketing research: methodological foundations (10th ed.). London: South-Western.

Interactive Advertising Bureau. (2015). Estudio anual redes sociales 2015. Retrieved from http://www.iabspain.net/wpcontent/uploads/downloads/2015/01/Estudio_Anual_Redes_Sociales_2015.pdf

Información y Control de Publicaciones. (2016). Medios Controlados. Retrieved from http://www.introl.es/medios-controlados/?

Ingenhoff, D., & Sommer, K. (2011). Corporate social responsibility communication. Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 42, 73-91. https://doi.org/10.9774/GLEAF.4700.2011.su.00007

Ioannou, I., & Serafeim, G. (2015). The impact of corporate social responsibility on investment recommendations: analysts’ perceptions and shifting institutional logics. Strategic Management Journal, 36(7), 1053-1081.

Jahdi, K. S., & Acikdilli, G. (2009). Marketing communications and corporate social responsibility (CSR): marriage of convenience or shotgun wedding?. Journal of Business Ethics, 88(1), 103-113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0113-1

Jeong, H. J., Paek, H. J., & Lee, M. (2013). Corporate social responsibility effects on social network sites. Journal of Business Research, 66, 1889-1895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.02.010

Johnson, T., & Kaye, B. K. (1998). Cruising is believing? Comparing internet and traditional sources on media credibility measures. Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 75(2), 325-340. https://doi.org/10.1177/107769909807500208

KantarWorldpanel. (2015). El sector de la distribución alimentaria. Retrieved from http://www.kantarworldpanel.com/es/grocery-market-share/

Kelley, H. H. (1973). The processes of causal attribution. American Psychologist, 28(2), 107-128. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0034225

Kelly, L., Kerr, G., & Drennan, J. (2010). Avoidance of advertising in social networking sites. Journal of Interactive Advertising, 10(2), 16-27. https://doi.org/10.1080/15252019.2010.10722167

Kent, M. L., & Taylor, M. (2016). From Homo Economicus to Homo dialogicus: rethinking social media use in CSR communication. Public Relations Review, 42(1), 60-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2015.11.003

Korschun, D., Bhattacharya, C. B., & Swain, S. D. (2014). Corporte social responsibility, customer orientation, and the job performance of frontline employees. Journal of Marketing, 78(3), 20-37. https://doi.org/10.1509/jm.11.0245

Korschun, D., & Du, S. (2013). How virtual corporate social responsibility dialogs generate value: a framework and propositions. Journal of Business Research, 66, 1494-1504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2012.09.011

Lafferty, B. (2007). The relevance of fit in a cause-brand alliance when consumers evaluate corporate credibility. Journal of Business Research, 60(5), 447-453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2006.09.030

Lavidge, R. J., & Steiner, G. A. (1961). A model for predictive measurements of advertising effectiveness. Journal of Marketing, 24, 59-62. https://doi.org/10.2307/1248516

Leonidou, C. N., & Skarmeas, D. (2017). Gray shades of green: causes and consequences of green skepticism. Journal of Business Ethics, 144(2), 401-415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2829-4

Maignan, I., & Ferrell, O. C. (2004). Corporate social responsibility and marketing: an integrative framework. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 32(1), 3-19. https://doi.org/10.1177/0092070303258971

Marín, L., Cuestas, P., & Román, S. (2016). Determinants of consumer attributions of corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 138(2), 247-260. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2578-4

Martindale, C. (1991). Cognitive psychology: a neural-network approach. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

McWilliams, A., & Siegel, D. (2001). Corporate social responsibility: a theory of the firm perspective. Academy of Management Review, 26(1), 117-127. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2001.4011987

Mercadé-Melé, P., Molinillo-Jiménez, S., & Fernández-Morales, A. (2014). Influencia de las prácticas de responsabilidad social corporativa en la actitud del consumidor: análisis comparado de Mercadona, Carrefour y Eroski. Revista de Empresa Familiar, 4(1), 73-88.

Mercadé-Melé, P., Molinillo, S., & Fernández-Morales, A. (2017). The influence of the types of media on the formation of perceived CSR. Spanish Journal of Marketing-ESIC, 21, 54-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjme.2017.04.003

Moore, J. J., & Rodgers, S. L. (2005). An examination of advertising credibility and skepticism in five different media using the persuasion knowledge model. In American Academy of Advertising Conference Proceedings, January 1, Houston (pp. 10-18). Pullman, WA: American Academy of Advertising.

Murray, K. B., & Vogel, C. M. (1997). Using a hierarchy-of-effects approach to gauge the effectiveness of corporate social responsibility to generate goodwill toward the firm: financial versus nonfinancial impacts. Journal of Business Research, 38(2), 141-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0148-2963(96)00061-6

Nan, X., & Heo, K. (2007). Consumer responses to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives: examining the role of brand-cause fit in cause-related marketing. Journal of Advertising, 36(2), 63-74. https://doi.org/10.2753/JOA0091-3367360204

Nguyen, N., & Leblanc, G. (2001). Corporate image and corporate reputation in customers’ retention decisions in services. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 8(4), 227-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0969-6989(00)00029-1

Nielsen, A. C. (2015). Global trust in advertising: a Nielsen Report. NY: USA, ACNielsen.Oliver, R. L. (1999). Whence consumer loyalty?. Journal of Marketing, 63, 33-44. https://doi.org/10.2307/1252099

Oppewal, H., Alexander, A., & Sullivan, P. (2006). Consumer perceptions of corporate social responsibility in town shopping centres and their influence on shopping evaluations. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 13, 261-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2005.08.015

Peloza, J., & Shang, J. (2011). How can corporate social responsibility activities create value for stakeholders? A systematic review. Journal of the academy of Marketing Science, 39(1), 117-135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-010-0213-6

Pérez, A., & Rodríguez Del Bosque, I. (2015). An integrative framework to understand how CSR affects customer loyalty through identification, emotions and satisfaction. Journal of Business Ethics, 129(3), 571-584. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2177-9

Pollach, I. (2005). Corporate self-presentation on the www: strategies for enhancing usability, credibility and utility. Corporate Communications: an International Journal, 10(4), 285-301. https://doi.org/10.1108/13563280510630098

Porter, M., & Kramer, M. (2011). Created shared value. Harvard Business Review, 89(1/2), 62-77.

Rifon, N., Choi, S., Trimble, C., & Li, H. (2004). Congruences effects in sponsorship: the mediating role of sponsor credibility and consumer attributions of sponsor motive. Journal of Advertising, 33(1), 29-42. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913367.2004.10639151

Saat, R. M., & Selamat, M. H. (2014). An examination of consumer’s attitude towards corporate social responsibility (CSR) web communication using media richness theory. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 155, 392-397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.10.311

Sen, S., Du, S., & Bhattacharya, C. B. (2016). Corporate social responsibility: a consumer psychology perspective. Current Opinion in Psychology, 10, 70-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.12.014

Shimp, T. A., Stuart, E. W., & Engle, R. W. (1991). A program of classical conditioning experiments testing variations in the conditioned stimulus and context. Journal of Consumer Research, 18(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1086/209236

Sirohi, N., McLaughlin, E. W., & Wittink, D. R. (1998). A model of consumer perceptions and store loyalty intentions for a supermarket retailer. Journal of Retailing, 74(2), 223-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4359(99)80094-3

Skard, S., & Thorbjørnsen, H. (2014). Is publicity always better than advertising? The role of brand reputation in communicating corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 124(1), 149-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1863-3

Skarmeas, D., & Leonidou, C. N. (2013). When consumers doubt, watch out! The role of CSR skepticism. Journal of Business Research, 66(10), 1831-1838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2013.02.004

Steiger, J. (1990). Structural model evaluation and modification: an interval estimation approach. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 25, 173-180. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327906mbr2502_4

Susnienė, D., & Purvinis, O. (2015). Empirical insights on understanding stakeholder influence. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 16(4), 845-860. https://doi.org/10.3846/16111699.2013.785974

Till, B. D., & Nowak, L. I. (2000). Toward effective use of cause-related marketing alliances. The Journal of Product and Brand Management, 9(7), 472-484. https://doi.org/10.1108/10610420010351394

Vaaland, T. I., Heide, M., & Grønhaug, K. (2008). Corporate social responsibility: investigating theory and research in the marketing context. European Journal of Marketing, 42(9/10), 927-953. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090560810891082

Varadarajan, P. R., & Menon, A. (1988). Cause-related marketing: acoalignment of marketing strategy and corporate philanthropy. Journal of Marketing, 52(3), 58-74. https://doi.org/10.2307/1251450

Vlachos, P. A. (2012). Corporate social performance and consumer-retailer emotional attachment. The moderating role of individual traits. European Journal of Marketing, 46(11/12), 1559-1580. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090561211259989

Walsh, G., & Bartikowski, B. (2013). Exploring corporate ability and social responsibility associations as antecedents of customer satisfaction cross-culturally. Journal of Business Research, 66, 989-995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.12.022

Wanderley, L. S. O., Lucian, R., Farache, F., & de Sousa Filho, J. M. (2008). CSR information disclosure on the web: a context-based approach analysing the influence of country of origin and industry sector. Journal of Business Ethics, 82(2), 369-378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9892-z

Wang, H., Tong, L., Takeuchi, R., & George, G. (2016). Corporate social responsibility: an overview and new research directions. Academy of Management Journal, 59(2), 534-544. https://doi.org/10.5465/amj.2016.5001