Corporate Social Responsibility and Internal Stakeholders – How Do Employees Make Sense of CSR?

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) research has predominantly focused on macro-level analysis, with limited attention to how employees perceive and interpret CSR activities. Therefore, the following research question can be asked: How do employees make sense of their employer’s CSR? Our study addresses this question by exploring the sensemaking processes of employees within three sustainably-oriented companies. Utilizing qualitative data from semi-structured interviews, the research identifies that employees’ sensemaking of CSR is influenced by their personal experiences, cognitive factors, and social interactions. Our findings suggest that these factors collectively shape employees’ understanding and engagement with CSR, highlighting the necessity for authentic and meaningful internal CSR communication. This study provides both theoretical and practical implications for CSR, suggesting that companies should prioritize transparent and value-driven CSR strategies to enhance employee involvement and satisfaction.

Keywords: CSR, corporate social responsibility, sensemaking, employee engagement, sustainability