The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Consumer Behaviour: Does Csr Affect Consumer Decision Making and Buying Behaviour Within the Uk Supermarket Industry

To understand the concepts of CSR practices and its effectiveness or impacts in Greggs, low fat bakery

In recent years, increasing number of customers and businessmen start to concern about the ethical issues in businesses. Although the main purpose of business is to make profits, the social influence of it also appears to be focused by a large proportion of customers and businessmen. Corporate social responsibility (CSR), which is closely connected with this concentration, was put forward in 1953 with the meaning of interacting social, environmental, and economic considerations into the decision-making structures and processes of business (Industry Canada, 2013). Although criticized, there is a business case for CSR because it could enhance customers’ loyalty, improve

The evolving practices around corporate social responsibility (CSR) provide dynamic, and complex opportunities for business. Overall, businesses are modifying their core purpose from creating shareholder profit toward creating shared value across their stakeholders, with shareholders being only one of the many stakeholders. This paper analyzes the 74th ranked 2014 Fortune Global 500 Company Kroger. Kroger started in 1883 as a local Cincinnati, Ohio grocery store, and has expended to be the second largest retail grocery store in the United States, and fifth largest in the world, owning retail food and drug stores, jewelry stores, and convenience stores in the United States (Kroger, 2015). Kroger remains headquartered in Ohio. An overview of Kroger, and specifically Kroger’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy and implementation will be discussed, followed by a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) CSR analysis informing a concluding plan to enhance Kroger’s CSR maturity.

Sainsbury focuses on their CSR approach because they know their responsibility towards, economy, environment, and customers. They have to face various challenges and issues due to which their reputation and performance is affected adversely which makes it significant for them to implement effective strategies through which these problems can be minimised. Sainsbury believe that by handling environmental and social issues their business gains ability of achieving long-term shareholder value. Hence, at the time of creating CSR strategy, the management considers the environmental and social issues that affect their performance and reputation in the eyes of customers (Sainsbury,

Moreover, the growing number of conscience consumers was highlighted in a recent Bursen-Marsteller report; “people will more likely choose a product that supports a social cause when choosing between otherwise similar products” (Penn, Schoen & Berland, 2010). These average consumers daily decisions are slowly but surely being influenced by social concern and responsibility. Finally, the critical issue for Company Q is the social responsibility to its customers, who looks to business to provide them with satisfying, safe products and respect their rights as customer.

The methodology was described with the data collection method. Quantitative and qualitative questionnaire which consisted of closed questions with a choice of fixed answers and free text to enhance qualitative data were sent out in the form of mailshot, followed by telephone call to non-respondents and it was repeated for more wider sample results to gain more evidence to reduce bias (Parahoo, 2006).

This study used a quantitative methodology of data collecting to answer the research questions. The specific research questions studied included the following:

The research will make use of both primary and secondary sources of data. In the primary source, questionnaires and interviews were granted.

All consumers should make every effort to make ethical purchases. This involves evaluating their morals and values in order to make sound decisions on their purchases. This also includes setting priorities and examining what is really important to the consumer. If a consumer cares about the wrongdoings of employees and expresses their concerns through purchases, then companies who do the right things would gain a large share of the market. However, consumers cannot change the world or fix social injustices totally through their purchases, some things are never seen by the consumer because companies have become great at hiding the unethical parts of business. Sometimes consumers have to make tough decisions because a sustainable brand may be too expensive and be a lower quality than other less sustainable brands.

This chapter introduces the objective of the research question, the subject matter, the background, and hypotheses for this quantitative research project.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is something that affects all companies and should be an active factor in the company’s decision making. It is something all corporations need to care about. CSR is when business’ or corporations take part in an initiative or campaign for a cause that will benefit society and/or in some way make the world a better place (Taylor, 2015). Initially, Corporate Social Responsibility started to take shape around the 1950’s, but some say that it dates all the way back to the 1800s, the idea of CSR was seen (Carroll, 2007). One may think that because it is dated so long ago, it doesn’t have an important impact today nevertheless, it is proven that Corporate Social Responsibility is a pathway for entities to self benefit as they are in the process of benefitting society.

The company I chose to explore is Whole Foods and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) they adhere to. Corporate social responsibility, also known as CSR, means “a corporation’s initiatives to assess and take responsibility for the company’s effects on environmental and social well-being”, according to, Investopedia, (R., 2015). Whole foods are dedicated to contributing back to its people, community, and the environment while profiting as a company. CSR is just as important as their ethical practices including “green marketing” by utilizing the marketing of products believed to be preferably used by people which incorporate a number of activities such as, environmentally friendly packaging, sustainability, and modified advertising. The company’s reputation of what they offer, the treatment of their employees, behavior as a company, including the major factors of they represent across the marketplace is what they strive to exude.

This chapter presented the research design for addressing the research questions guiding this study. This chapter detailed the design of the research. Research design, sampling process, data collection and analysis were the main aspects that were detailed. The study was conducted by making use of a questionnaire.

In 2003, there has been increased pressure on many companies and managers to acknowledge their responsibility to society, and act in a way which benefits society overall (Lindgreen and Hingley, 2003). The major societal issue threatening food retailers has been environmental issues, a key area for companies to act in a socially responsible way. Hence, by recognizing this trend within the broad ethical stance, Tesco 's

Previous chapter describes the methodological approaches used to arrive at the aims and objectives of this study. This chapter is divided into seven parts. The first part explains the research philosophy used in this survey outlining the philosophical foundation that guided this research. The second part describes the research approach and the research strategy. The third part illustrates the instruments used in this study. The forth part describes the sampling strategy used in this section. The fifth part outlines the data collection approaches used in the research. The sixth part explains the approach used in conducting data analysis. The remaining parts explain the measures taken to ensure reliability of data collected and the ethical considerations that were taken during the study. As a whole, this chapter provides an overview into how the research was approached and executed.