The influence of corporate social responsibility in shaping corporate reputation: examining the mediating effects of corporate image and knowledge creation in the construction industry

Abstract Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a strategic imperative in the construction industry, shaping corporate reputation and fostering sustainable growth. This study investigates the influence of CSR on corporate reputation in the Pakistani construction industry, emphasizing the mediating roles of corporate image and knowledge creation. Grounded in stakeholder theory, the study employs a quantitative research design and collects data from 302 respondents using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via Smart-PLS to examine the direct and indirect effects of CSR on corporate reputation. The results reveal that CSR significantly enhances corporate reputation, with this relationship strongly mediated by corporate image and knowledge creation, highlighting the importance of strategic CSR practices for knowledge development and stakeholder engagement. The study is significant because it provides both theoretical and practical contributions: theoretically, it extends stakeholder theory by integrating CSR, corporate image, and knowledge creation in the construction sector; practically, it guides industry leaders on leveraging CSR initiatives to strengthen corporate image, foster knowledge creation, and enhance stakeholder trust. Additionally, policymakers can use these insights to design incentives and frameworks that promote CSR adoption, supporting a socially responsible, knowledge-driven, and competitive construction industry.