Corporate social responsibility and career decisions

Abstract

Person–organisation fit looks at the compatible fit between applicants’ values, goal, traits and that of an organisation. The purpose of this research was to further understand the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as it relates to person–organisation fit and job selection choices of postgraduates. A self-report survey was completed by 247 students at three US universities offering fashion programs. Students were asked to respond to four separate scenarios each with two distinct positions from which to choose. Students overwhelming (77%) choose positions paying lower salaries with better working conditions and higher levels of CSR over positions that treated potential employees in a less desirable manner and did not place a high value on CSR. The students reacted adversely to accepting a position where a potential employer valued physical appearance over forward thinkers, profits over CSR and long hours over community service. This study supports the need for firms to establish sound CSR policies that can be evaluated in the public, thereby attracting new college graduates to seek employment.

Keywords:

• corporate social responsibility
• students
• competitive strategy
• decision making
• career decisions
• employment