Time after time: exploring the role of CSR on employees’ long-lasting working relationships in Italy

Ulpiana Kocollari (), Fabio Demaria () and Maddalena Cavicchioli ()
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Ulpiana Kocollari: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Fabio Demaria: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Maddalena Cavicchioli: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

Small Business Economics, 2025, vol. 65, issue 2, No 13, 995-1021

Abstract: Abstract Recent research has focused on the employee’s perspective in experiencing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies. The purpose of this work is to empirically investigate the drivers of employees’ long-lasting working relationships when CSR strategies are in place. A sample of 441 employees across 21 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) spanning various industries in Italy is surveyed to collect data on CSR-related experiences. Then, dimensionality reduction techniques and nonlinear models are applied to self-reported data. The empirical analysis reveals the following: (i) at the individual level, intrinsic CSR initiatives are of major importance; (ii) at the organizational level, sudden changes in perceived leadership hit negatively, especially during crises; and (iii) at the intermediate level, promoting happiness at work (HAW) enhances CSR strategies, creating favorable conditions even for dissatisfied workers. Therefore, the investigation enriches the CSR micro-foundation literature by examining the role of multifaceted layers in implementing CSR strategies in SMEs. In turn, this brings important implications for managers dealing with the phenomenon of the “great resignation.”

Keywords: CSR micro-foundation; Factor Analysis; Fractional Logistic Regression; Happiness At Work; Long-lasting working relationships; SMEs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C10 C38 M14 M54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s11187-025-01019-0

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