Can Companies Use CSR Practices to Manage Employee Turnover? A Case Study

Abstract Factors such as globalisation, climate change and the depletion of natural resources necessitate a paradigm shift relative to how companies conduct their operations. In recent years, expectations regarding corporations adopting corporate social responsibility (CSR) have risen, along with the complexity of employee perceptions and responses to these CSR initiatives. This study examines CSR from the employees’ perspective, focusing on four main areas: identifying employees’ perceptions of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of responsibility and their involvement in the CSR actions of the company, evaluating the impact of CSR practices and participation on organisational trust, job satisfaction, organisational commitment and ultimately, on their intention to stay or leave the organisation. The authors have conducted an online survey among 100 employees working in a Romanian branch of a French multinational company. The findings indicate that CSR dimensions positively influence organisational trust, job satisfaction and organisational commitment, with the social dimension showing the most significant effect. Finally, the study found that organisational trust and job satisfaction have a positive impact on employee retention. Overall, this research underscores the importance of considering employee perspectives in CSR initiatives and suggests that encouraging their involvement can lead to positive outcomes for employees, the organisation and society as a whole.