Hidden Roles of CSR: Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility as a Preventive against Counterproductive Work Behaviors

The purpose of this study is to identify how the degree to which employees perceive that their organization is socially responsible influences their counterproductive behaviors at work. We developed a research model capturing the relationships between perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR), affective organizational commitment (AOC), and organization-, colleague-, and customer-directed counterproductive work behaviors (CWBs). Drawing on social identity and social bonding theories, we hypothesized that employees’ perceptions of CSR would enhance their levels of AOC and thereby hinder the three types of CWBs. Survey data from 252 frontline employees of six luxury hotels in South Korea were examined. We found that perceived CSR is indirectly and negatively related to the three types of CWBs through AOC. We discussed the theoretical contributions and practical implications of this study