TY - JOUR

T1 - Effects on the (CSR) Reputation

T2 - CSR reporting discussed in the light of signalling and stakeholder perception theories

AU - Hetze, Katharina

PY - 2016/12/1

Y1 - 2016/12/1

N2 - The aim of this conceptual paper is to discuss the impact of CSR reporting on the CSR reputation in the light of signalling and stakeholder perception theories. The method used is a literature analysis on CSR and reputation, corporate signalling and signalling CSR. For a more complete picture, the review includes findings on CSR reporting and the perception and evaluation of CSR activities by stakeholders, first for stakeholders in general, but in greater detail for the two specific groups 'consumers' and 'employees'. The paper's main contribution is a conceptual framework for CSR reporting which explains how a CSR report is a CSR communication signal filtered by the signalling context and the stakeholders' perception. This includes a discussion of how CSR reporting can modify the outcome for the CSR reputation favourably or unfavourably which also leads to a modified context for CSR reporting. The paper's originality lies in the analysis and discussion of both the impacts of signalling theory on CSR reporting and how the interpretation of the signal impacts the CSR reputation. The article thus contributes to the knowledge on CSR reporting and its impact on the formation of CSR reputation.

AB - The aim of this conceptual paper is to discuss the impact of CSR reporting on the CSR reputation in the light of signalling and stakeholder perception theories. The method used is a literature analysis on CSR and reputation, corporate signalling and signalling CSR. For a more complete picture, the review includes findings on CSR reporting and the perception and evaluation of CSR activities by stakeholders, first for stakeholders in general, but in greater detail for the two specific groups 'consumers' and 'employees'. The paper's main contribution is a conceptual framework for CSR reporting which explains how a CSR report is a CSR communication signal filtered by the signalling context and the stakeholders' perception. This includes a discussion of how CSR reporting can modify the outcome for the CSR reputation favourably or unfavourably which also leads to a modified context for CSR reporting. The paper's originality lies in the analysis and discussion of both the impacts of signalling theory on CSR reporting and how the interpretation of the signal impacts the CSR reputation. The article thus contributes to the knowledge on CSR reporting and its impact on the formation of CSR reputation.

KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication

KW - CSR reporting

KW - signalling

KW - stakeholder perception

KW - CSR reputation

KW - conceptual framework

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85011032069&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1057/s41299-016-0002-3

DO - 10.1057/s41299-016-0002-3

M3 - Scientific review articles

VL - 19

SP - 281

EP - 296

JO - Corporate Reputation Review

JF - Corporate Reputation Review

SN - 1363-3589

IS - 3

ER -