A spotlight on Joana S. P. Story, FGV EAESP, & Filipa Castanheira, Nova School of Business and Economics, and their research insight on CSR and workplace dynamics included in the recently published Routledge CoBS book The Employee and the Post-Pandemic Workplace: Towards a new, enlightened working environment.
CSR’s ripple effect on workplace dynamics, by CoBS Editor Ana Sofia Bello. Related research: Corporate social responsibility and employee performance: Mediation role of job satisfaction and affective commitment, Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. J. S. P. Story, F. Castanheira, Wiley, https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1752
CSR ideals are becoming more and more popular in the corporate sphere, which leads many corporations and professionals to wonder what the effects of these efforts are on societies. Rather, how can companies profit from these social resolutions?
Many of these responsibilities that companies undertake are costly and, on the surface, seem to only benefit needs outside of the corporation. Is it possible that a company can internally become more efficient when instilling these practices?
Professors Joana S. P. Story at FGV EAESP and Filipa Castanheira at Nova School of Business and Economics investigate this matter further with their research featured in The Employee and The Post Pandemic Workplace. They delve into the difference between external and internal CSR and how each one has their own effect on companies’ workforces regarding employee satisfaction, commitment, and performance.
With their research, companies and organizations are motivated to continue implementing more sustainable practices in and out of the company, knowing that it will mold a more productive workforce.
CSR: The impact of responsibility
“Internal CSR practices can provide the necessary resources that can improve the workplace especially when the individual resources are running low because of the pandemic”, says Professor Story. Economies, companies, organizations, and individuals are just starting to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
This research points out that Internal CSR practices such as employee working conditions and career opportunities are beneficial to “individual performance as it increases job satisfaction”. These practices provide employees with incentives, and a sense of security and value to their position – especially important given that many individuals are still recovering in some way from the pandemic.
Implementing external CSR practices involves more of the public actions that many of us are increasingly witnessing – environmental protection, community development, sustainable development, among them. These practices have a subtler effect on a company’s workforce.
The research shows that employees receive a feeling of satisfaction knowing that they are working for a company that prioritizes or participates in CSR practices. This satisfaction will inevitably increase commitment and performance.
CSR and Workplace Dynamics: The workforce of the future
Professors Story and Castanheira’s research was able to articulate the impacts that CSR methods have on a company’s workforce, whether that involves external or internal methods. As a whole, CSR has a positive impact on employee attitudes and their individual performance.
And as we navigate toward a new, enlightened working environment, it becomes clear that CSR is not just a societal obligation but a strategic investment that shapes a more resilient, engaged, dynamic and productive workforce.
Discover the book chapter Committed Companies: Do they create happier, higher performing employees? Based on Joana S.P. Story and Filipa Castanheira’s research in the book:
The Employee and the Post-Pandemic Workplace: Towards a new, enlightened working environment
Useful links:
- Link up with Profs. Story and Castanheira on LinkedIn
- Read a related article: How CSR grows and resonates within firms
- Discover the Routledge-CoBS Focus on Responsible Business series.
Learn more about the Council on Business & Society
The Council on Business & Society (The CoBS), visionary in its conception and purpose, was created in 2011, and is dedicated to promoting responsible leadership and tackling issues at the crossroads of business and society including sustainability, diversity, ethical leadership and the place responsible business has to play in contributing to the common good.
Member schools are all “Triple Crown” accredited AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA and leaders in their respective countries.
- ESSEC Business School, France, Singapore, Morocco
- FGV-EAESP, Brazil
- School of Management Fudan University, China
- IE Business School, Spain
- Keio Business School, Japan
- Monash Business School, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia
- Olin Business School, USA
- Smith School of Business, Canada
- Stellenbosch Business School, South Africa
- Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
- Warwick Business School, United Kingdom.
