Corporate social responsibility and happiness at work: the role of work environment and emotional culture of joy

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and happiness at work (HaW), examining the mediating role of the work environment (WE) and the moderating effect of the emotional culture of joy (ECoJ). Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 366 employees working in Pakistani organisations using purposive sampling. A three-wave time-lagged survey design was adopted to reduce common method bias. The data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. Findings The findings reveal that CSR has a significant positive impact on happiness at work. Moreover, the work environment mediates the relationship between CSR and HaW, indicating that CSR initiatives enhance the work environment, which in turn fosters employee happiness. Additionally, the ECoJ moderates this mediating effect, strengthening the indirect influence of CSR on HaW through a positive emotional climate. Practical implications The study underscores the importance of implementing employee-centric CSR strategies to enhance workplace happiness. Managers should prioritise creating supportive work environments and fostering a culture of joy, as these factors significantly enhance employees’ well-being and overall organisational outcomes. Originality/value This study makes three key contributions. First, it explores CSR from the employee perspective in relation to HaW. Second, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first to empirically examine the mediating role of the work environment and the moderating role of the ECoJ. Finally, it extends the understanding of these dynamics within the banking sector of Pakistan, offering novel insights into employee well-being mechanisms.