Thesis (DBA) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Business Administration

In the contemporary era, organizations stand as pivotal drivers of a country's economy,
wielding considerable influence over the societal fabric in which they operate. Beyond
the traditional economic dimension, their responsibilities extend into the legal, ethical,
and human realms. This shift from a profit-centric model to a socially conscious
economic paradigm underscores the need for organizations to embrace social
responsibility. This study delves into the nexus between corporate social responsibility
(CSR) and employee outcomes, with a focus on the mediating role of organizational
trust.
Drawing on Carroll's pyramid, adapted to the unique context of Iraq, the research
probes into organizational trust, CSR initiatives, and tangible employee outcomes.
Conducted within four telecommunications firms in Iraq, the study engaged 359
employees with at least one year of experience. Employing a quantitative approach,
data collection spanned from September 2021 to October 2022, achieving an
impressive 97.55% response rate. Structural equation modeling, utilizing the partial
least squares (PLS) method and bootstrapping, validated the hypotheses. The findings
illuminate a subtle yet significant positive impact of CSR on employee loyalty, job
satisfaction, and turnover intention. Notably, organizational trust emerges as a robust
mediator, positively influencing employee outcomes.
Diverging from Western-centric CSR metrics, this research pioneers an alternative
conceptual framework tailored to Iraq's distinctive context. It enriches our
comprehension of the interplay between organizational trust, CSR initiatives, and
employee outcomes. The study advocates for extending the conceptual framework to
diverse industry sectors and geographical settings, while also suggesting the
exploration of alternative mediators, such as perceived organizational justice, in future
studies.