CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN PRACTICE: INSIGHTS FROM SELECTED MEMBERS OF PEOPLE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (PMAP) CEBU MEMBER

This study aimed to assess the degree of compliance of selected companies in Cebu, Philippines with the internal and external corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. The study was grounded in stakeholder theory, which argues that businesses must create value for a variety of stakeholders including customers, suppliers, employees, communities, and shareholders. The research design involved surveying both rank-and-file employees and managers at four companies using a standardized questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed internal CSR practices related to ethical responsibilities, employee development programs, and benefits and privileges. It also evaluated external CSR practices in the areas of philanthropic responsibilities, environmental responsibilities, and social and community responsibilities. The results showed notable differences in how rank-and-file employees and managers perceived the companies' CSR efforts. For internal CSR, rank-and-file employees generally rated the companies as practicing these responsibilities to a "lesser extent", while managers rated them as practicing them to a "great extent". The largest gaps were in areas like performance evaluations, promotion from within, and providing competitive compensation and benefits. For external CSR, rank-and-file employees again rated the companies lower, perceiving them as practicing philanthropic, environmental, and community responsibilities to a "lesser extent". Managers rated these external practices much higher, to a "great extent". In conclusion, this study highlights the need for companies to better align their CSR practices, especially related to employee development and benefits, with the perceptions and needs of rank-and-file workers. It also suggests that managers may overestimate the degree to which their companies are fulfilling their social responsibilities, both internally and externally. Improving transparency and communication around CSR efforts could help bridge this gap.