Corporate Social Responsibility's Impact on Purchase Intention: The Role of Involvement

Abstract

As education levels rise, consumers become more aware of their consumption choices, and the flow of information becomes increasingly transparent, the significance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has grown in public and corporate spheres. This heightened attention reflects a growing consensus on the pivotal role CSR plays in shaping consumer behaviors, particularly their purchase intentions. In this evolving landscape, understanding the impact of CSR on consumer purchase decisions has become critically important for businesses aiming to align their values with consumer expectations and foster loyalty. This study leverages expectation theory and rationality theory to construct a comprehensive model that examines the influence of CSR on consumer purchase intentions. By delving into how consumers perceive CSR activities and the extent to which these perceptions influence their willingness to buy products from socially responsible companies, the research aims to provide valuable insights for businesses looking to enhance their CSR strategies. The research methodology included the distribution of questionnaires to a broad audience, resulting in 426 valid responses. Through a rigorous analytical process involving exploratory factor analysis for reliability, alongside correlation and regression analyses, the study sought to validate the hypothesis that CSR and consumer involvement have a positive impact on purchase intentions. Notably, the study also explored the moderating effect of consumer involvement in the relationship between CSR perceptions and purchase intentions. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between CSR initiatives and consumer purchase intentions, underscoring the importance of companies engaging in socially responsible practices. Moreover, the degree of consumer involvement was found to enhance the positive impact of CSR on purchase intentions, suggesting that more engaged consumers are likely to place greater value on CSR efforts when making purchasing decisions.