The Impacts of Corporate Social Responsibility on Spas’ Competitiveness: An Empirical Study of Vietnam

Chi-Tam Ngo (), Thu-Huong Nguyen, Anona Armstrong and Adam Voak
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Chi-Tam Ngo: College of Economics and Law, Tra Vinh University, Tra Vinh 87000, Vietnam
Thu-Huong Nguyen: Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC), Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Anona Armstrong: Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities (ISILC), Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Adam Voak: The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, Smithfield, QLD 4878, Australia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-31

Abstract: Recent decades have witnessed an increased volume of studies investigating the spa tourism sector. There has, however, been an absence of studies evaluating the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and spa competitiveness, as well as the mediating effects of responsible innovation (RI) and corporate sustainability performance (CSP) on this relationship. This study developed a comprehensive conceptual framework that examined the impacts of CSR on spa competitiveness. Data were collected from 786 participants, who included spa managers and employees located in three main cities of Vietnam: Ha Noi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh. The Partial Least-Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method was applied to provide statistical evidence to confirm the conceptual model and eight hypotheses. The findings indicated that CSR positively and indirectly affects spa competitiveness. The mediating roles of RI and CSP, which influence the relationship with spa competitiveness, were also confirmed. This research makes theoretical contributions to understanding the relationships between these internal factors and achieving competitiveness. Further, the study has practical implications for spa managers and policymakers implementing CSR programs and RI and reshaping CSP to obtain and maintain their competitiveness.

Keywords: spa tourism; corporate social responsibility; competitiveness; corporate sustainability performance; responsible innovation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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