IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/endesu/v27y2025i1d10.1007_s10668-023-03938-y.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

CSR’s impact on COVID-19 labor environmental issues: evidence from Bangladeshi SMEs (ISO 26,000)

Author

Listed:
  • Shafiul Bashar

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Daoping Wang

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Marwah Rafiq

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

Abstract

This research aims to explore the positive effects of the COVID outbreak on labor and corporate social responsibility (CSR) environmental issues, using both shareholders and cognitional theories. The study emphasizes the importance of sustainability and CSR in addressing work environmental issues and investigates the correlation between CSR and labor environment issues in Bangladeshi “small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” based on the ISO 26,000 standard set by the “International Organization for Standardization.” The research analyzed data from 399 executives in Bangladeshi SMEs, using partial least squares structural equation modeling for hypothesis testing and data analysis. The results revealed that the implementation of CSR practices had a positive impact on various aspects of work practices, such as employment relationships, human development and training, social exchange, conditions of work and social protection, and health and safety at work. The study contributes to a better knowledge of the impact of the pandemic on labor and environmental issues in Bangladeshi SMEs and demonstrates how CSR practices can effectively address these issues. This research delves into the influence of individuals’ emotions on CSR practices amid the pandemic. It emphasizes the positive resurgence of sustainability and green initiatives. Furthermore, our study uncovers how negative sentiments toward the pandemic prompt a reevaluation of social practices, providing opportunities to strengthen CSR efforts. The findings from our study indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced companies to prioritize corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in response to the economic, social, and ecological challenges confronting various stakeholders, with a particular emphasis on employees. Thus, the primary objective of this study is to establish a comprehensive connection among the diverse elements encompassing CSR practices, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges faced in the work environment. The research also discusses the theoretical and practical implications of the findings, as well as potential areas for future research in this field. However, the study acknowledges its limitations and highlights the need for further investigation in this area.

Suggested Citation

  • Shafiul Bashar & Daoping Wang & Marwah Rafiq, 2025. "CSR’s impact on COVID-19 labor environmental issues: evidence from Bangladeshi SMEs (ISO 26,000)," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(1), pages 1669-1690, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:27:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10668-023-03938-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03938-y
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-023-03938-y
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10668-023-03938-y?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kevin Lompo & Jean-Francois Trani, 2013. "Does Corporate Social Responsibility Contribute to Human Development in Developing Countries? Evidence from Nigeria," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(2), pages 241-265, May.
    2. Andrea Venturelli & Simona Cosma & Rossella Leopizzi, 2018. "Stakeholder Engagement: An Evaluation of European Banks," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(4), pages 690-703, July.
    3. Glavas, Ante & Kelley, Ken, 2014. "The Effects of Perceived Corporate Social Responsibility on Employee Attitudes," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(2), pages 165-202, April.
    4. He, Hongwei & Harris, Lloyd, 2020. "The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on corporate social responsibility and marketing philosophy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 176-182.
    5. Jeounghee Kim, 2020. "Occupational Credentials and Job Qualities of Direct Care Workers: Implications for Labor Shortages," Journal of Labor Research, Springer, vol. 41(4), pages 403-420, December.
    6. Sarstedt, Marko & Ringle, Christian M. & Smith, Donna & Reams, Russell & Hair, Joseph F., 2014. "Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM): A useful tool for family business researchers," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 105-115.
    7. Bordogna, Lorenzo., 2018. "Social dialogue in the public service in selected countries of the European Union," ILO Working Papers 994995691702676, International Labour Organization.
    8. Yufan Jian & Irina Y. Yu & Morgan X. Yang & Kevin J. Zeng, 2020. "The Impacts of Fear and Uncertainty of COVID-19 on Environmental Concerns, Brand Trust, and Behavioral Intentions toward Green Hotels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-14, October.
    9. James Anderson & David Gerbing, 1984. "The effect of sampling error on convergence, improper solutions, and goodness-of-fit indices for maximum likelihood confirmatory factor analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 49(2), pages 155-173, June.
    10. Duygu Turker, 2009. "How Corporate Social Responsibility Influences Organizational Commitment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 89(2), pages 189-204, October.
    11. Raghu Krishnamoorthy & Keith Keating, 2021. "Education Crisis, Workforce Preparedness, and COVID‐19: Reflections and Recommendations," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 80(1), pages 253-274, January.
    12. Kevin Lompo & Jean-Franois Trani, 2013. "Does Corporate Social Responsibility Contribute to Human Development in Developing Countries? Evidence from Nigeria," Post-Print hal-02510383, HAL.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Talat Islam & Saima Ahmad & Ishfaq Ahmed, 2023. "Linking environment specific servant leadership with organizational environmental citizenship behavior: the roles of CSR and attachment anxiety," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 855-879, April.
    2. Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji & Nduka Vitalis Elda Okolo-Obasi & Joy Ukamaka Uduji & Steve Emeka Emengin & Longinus Chukwudi Odoh & Rollins Chiyem Iyadi, 2024. "Capacity Development for Small-Scale Women Entrepreneurs and Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria’s Niger Delta Region," Working Papers of The Association for Promoting Women in Research and Development in Africa (ASPROWORDA). 24/014, The Association for Promoting Women in Research and Development in Africa (ASPROWORDA).
    3. Joseph I. Uduji & Elda N. Okolo-Obasi, 2022. "Gender Sensitive Responses to Climate Change in Nigeria: The Role of Multinationals’ Corporate Social Responsibility in Oil Host Communities," Working Papers 22/041, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    4. Jiali Chen & Aiqing Zhang, 2023. "Exploring How and When Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility Impacts Employees’ Green Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Role of Creative Self-Efficacy and Environmental Commitment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-20, December.
    5. Uduji, Joseph Ikechukwu & Okolo-Obasi, Elda Nduka & Asongu, Simplice A., 2021. "Oil extraction in Nigeria's Ogoniland: The role of corporate social responsibility in averting a resurgence of violence," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    6. Seunghee Im & Yang Woon Chung & Ji Yeon Yang, 2016. "Employees’ Participation in Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Outcomes: The Moderating Role of Person–CSR Fit," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(1), pages 1-14, December.
    7. Joseph I. Uduji & Elda N. Okolo-Obasi, 2023. "Ecotourism for Transformative and Youth Development in sub-Saharan Africa: the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria’s Oil Host Communities," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 23/036, African Governance and Development Institute..
    8. Sadaf Iqbal & Tahir Farid & Jianhong Ma & Amira Khattak & Mohammad Nurunnabi, 2018. "The Impact of Authentic Leadership on Organizational Citizenship Behaviours and the Mediating Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Banking Sector of Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-11, June.
    9. Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji & Elda Nduka Okolo‐Obasi, 2023. "Gender equity and land: The role of corporate social responsibility in Niger Delta, Nigeria," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(6), pages 1216-1238, August.
    10. Regina Moczadlo & Harald Strotmann & Jürgen Volkert, 2015. "Corporate Contributions to Developing Health Capabilities," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(4), pages 549-566, November.
    11. Erhan Boğan & Bekir Bora Dedeoğlu, 2020. "Hotel employees' corporate social responsibility perception and organizational citizenship behavior: Perceived external prestige and pride in organization as serial mediators," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(5), pages 2342-2353, September.
    12. Joseph I. Uduji & Elda N. Okolo-Obasi & Simplice A. Asongu, 2020. "Sustainable Peace building and Development in Nigeria’s Post-Amnesty Programme: the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Oil Host Communities," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 20/026, African Governance and Development Institute..
    13. Joseph I. Uduji & Elda N. Okolo-Obasi, 2022. "Gender Sensitive Responses to Climate Change in Nigeria: The Role of Multinationals’ Corporate Social Responsibility in Oil Host Communities," Working Papers of The Association for Promoting Women in Research and Development in Africa (ASPROWORDA). 22/008, The Association for Promoting Women in Research and Development in Africa (ASPROWORDA).
    14. Salih Börteçine Avci & Adnan Karataş, 2022. "Public Service Motivation’s Mediating Role in the Effect Perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Justice Have on Organizational Commitment in Higher Education Institutions," Journal of Economy Culture and Society, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 66(66), pages 29-54, December.
    15. Joseph I. Uduji & Elda N. Okolo-Obasi, 2022. "Gender Difference in Nutrition and Health in Agricultural Households in Nigeria: the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Oil Producing Communities," Working Papers 22/042, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    16. Kenneth Roeck & François Maon, 2018. "Building the Theoretical Puzzle of Employees’ Reactions to Corporate Social Responsibility: An Integrative Conceptual Framework and Research Agenda," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 149(3), pages 609-625, May.
    17. Tahir Farid & Sadaf Iqbal & Jianhong Ma & Sandra Castro-González & Amira Khattak & Muhammad Khalil Khan, 2019. "Employees’ Perceptions of CSR, Work Engagement, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior: The Mediating Effects of Organizational Justice," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-16, May.
    18. Elda N. Okolo‐Obasi & Joseph I. Uduji & Simplice A. Asongu, 2020. "Strengthening women's participation in the traditional enterprises of sub‐saharan Africa: The role of corporate social responsibility initiatives in Niger delta, Nigeria," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 32(S1), pages 78-90, November.
    19. Fatih Özcan & Meral Elçi, 2020. "Employees’ Perception of CSR Affecting Employer Brand, Brand Image, and Corporate Reputation," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, November.
    20. Uduji, Joseph Ikechukwu & Okolo-Obasi, Elda Nduka & Asongu, Simplice A., 2023. "Oil extraction and gender equality for social equity: The role of corporate social responsibility in Nigeria's coastal communities," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:27:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10668-023-03938-y. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.