When fairness prevails: unpacking the mediating mechanism linking corporate social responsibility, hotel employees’ quality of work life and well-being

Purpose This study aims to investigate the mediating role of organizational justice in the relationship between employees’ perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR), encompassing economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic dimensions, and their well-being and quality of work life (QWL) within luxury hotels in China. Grounded in social identity theory and justice theory, this study aims to elucidate how CSR perceptions influence employees through the lens of organizational justice. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research design was adopted, employing a survey method to collect data from employees across eight luxury hotels in China, yielding a final sample of 558 respondents. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the data and test the hypothesized relationships among perceived CSR, organizational justice, QWL and employee well-being. Findings The results revealed that perceived CSR does not directly affect employees’ well-being and QWL. However, it indirectly influences these outcomes through organizational justice, highlighting the mediating role of perceived fairness within the organization. Additionally, a positive association was found between QWL and employee well-being, underscoring the importance of QWL in enhancing overall employee welfare. Practical implications For hotel managers, the findings emphasize the importance of fostering organizational justice as a conduit through which CSR initiatives can positively impact employee well-being and QWL. Implementing fair policies and practices may amplify the benefits of CSR efforts, leading to a more satisfied and productive workforce. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by examining the interplay between CSR and organizational justice from the employees’ perspective in the context of luxury hotels, a sector where such internal stakeholder-focused research is limited. By integrating social identity and justice theories, this research provides a nuanced understanding of the mechanisms through which CSR perceptions affect employees, offering valuable insights for both academic inquiry and practical application in the hospitality industry.