The impact of CSR and corporate ability on purchase intention in e-commerce websites: an examination across genders

ABSTRACT

This study aims to investigate the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate ability (CA) on customer purchase intention on e-commerce websites. Also, the effect of trust as a mediator between CSR-purchase intention and CA-purchase intention relationships is examined. Finally, the role of gender as a moderator in the relationships between model variables is explored. This research is a type of Structural Equation Model (SEM), and data were collected from customers of e-commerce websites who made online purchases at least five times a year. The results reveal the positive effect of CA and negative effect of CSR for e-commerce websites in promoting purchase intention of their customers. Additionally, gender moderates the relationship between CSR-purchase intention and CA-purchase intention. The finding can be useful to startup companies that operate in the field of e-commerce. Further, online vendors can improve the quality of their service using the findings of this research.

KEYWORDS:

• Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Corporate ability (CA)
• gender
• trust
• purchase intention

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. The Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran serves as the primary authority for payment supervision in the country, conducting its oversight through the Shaparak network.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Amir Reza Malekian

Amir Reza Malekian is a Ph.D. student in Management at IE Business School with a history of working experience in the industry, start-up ecosystem, and governmental agencies. His primary research interests are operations management, supply chain management, sustainability, and electronic commerce. He may be reached at [email protected].

Younis Jabarzadeh

Younis Jabarzadeh is a Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Business School, Liverpool John Moores University. He is also a member of the Project, operations, and Workplace Management research group. With more than a decade of experience in academics and research, he is a consultant and has helped different industries in process improvement and performance system development. His research interests include supply chain risks, operations strategy, and strategic management of project-based organizations. He may be reached at [email protected].

Alireza Fazlzadeh

Alireza Fazlzadeh is an associate professor and dean of Faculty of Economics and Management at the University of Tabriz. He received his PhD in accounting from the University of Puna, India. He is consultant to many companies in accounting and accountability of the firm and also founder and CEO of a consulting firm. His research interests are accounting, financial management, and accountability of the firm. He may be reached at [email protected].