Perspectives of the academic employees on university social responsibility: a survey study

Purpose - This study aims to investigate differences and similarities in the approach to understanding university social responsibility (USR) among the academic and university administrative staff. Design/methodology/approach - The quantitative research was conducted on a group of 1,160 respondents from the chosen university. The survey contributes to the discussion about the needs and expectations regarding USR. The data were subjected to reliability verification and statistically tested. Findings - The study revealed that academic and university administrative staff pay attention to different aspects of USR. The differences appear in expectations of the senior and junior academic staff and when scientific disciplines are taken into consideration. It may suggest that not only the level of research performance but also the structure of academic staff can be a driver for corporate social responsibility benefits. Practical implications - Research results can be helpful for proper designing of socially responsible activities regarding different groups of employees and enable a better understanding of the needs of employees regarding the creation of socially responsible activities at the university. Originality/value - This study contributes to the literature by presenting the academic and university administrative staff’s attitude towards USR, giving better insights into their expectations and needs. Research findings contribute to the more grounded discussion on the topic and can be used by organizations to set goals and priorities for USR.