Corporate social responsibility digitalization and sustainable competitive performance: the mediating role of digital capability and innovation in Egypt’s telecommunications sector

Hanan Eid Badwy, Sikandar Ali Qalati, Abdelaziz Ali Marzouk, Ammar Fathy Mousa Esmael, Eman Hassanien Taha, Mohamed Adel Abdelrazek and Asmaa Said Ahmed Al Asrag

Social Responsibility Journal, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 445-464

Abstract: PurposeThis research examines the influence of CSR digitalization on sustainable competitive performance within Egypt’s telecommunications industry. Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV), this study aims to examine how corporate social responsibility digitalization (CSRD) influences sustainable competitive performance (SCP) in Egypt’s telecommunications sector and explores the mediating roles of digital capability and digital innovation.Design/methodology/approachUsing survey data from 419 managers and supervisors in three private Egyptian telecom operators, the authors tested the model with partial least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsResults indicate that CSRD is positively associated with digital capability, innovation and firm SCP. Moreover, digital capability and innovation impact a firm’s SCP. In addition, both digital capability and innovation are partial mediators of the relationship between CSRD and a firm’s SCP.Practical implicationsPractically, the findings encourage telecom managers to pair CSR initiatives with targeted capability-building and innovation programs to secure lasting competitive gains.Originality/valueThis study addresses the existing knowledge gap by presenting empirical data concerning the mediating functions of digital capability and digital innovation in the relationship between CSRD and SCP, thereby making a substantial contribution to emerging markets, where managerial practitioners endeavor to deepen their comprehension of leveraging CSRD to promote SCP.

Keywords: Corporate social responsibility digitalization; Digital capability; Digital innovation; Sustainable competitive performance; Telecommunications sector (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:srjpps:srj-05-2025-0448

DOI: 10.1108/SRJ-05-2025-0448

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