The perspective of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) among Chinese hotel managers

Chan Yu, Purdue University

Abstract

Globalization and environmental problems have drawn attention to hotel operations around the world. In response to those and other reasons including cost reducing and philanthropy, hotels have adopted a variety of socially responsible activities. Previous research of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the hotel industry has centered on Western countries since CSR is commonly regarded as a Western value. Little information about CSR has been disclosed in relation to the Chinese hotel industry. The aim of the present study attempts to examine dominant CSR practices in Chinese hotel industry and how hotel managers perceive the concept of CSR. Since traditional Chinese values share many common values with CSR, the present study also attempts to understand if those traditional Chinese values influence hotel managers' perspectives of CSR. After conducting 17 in-depth interviews with Chinese hotel managers, the present study's results indicate that Chinese hotels have been working on various CSR activities, but they rarely promote those practices to the public. Smaller hotels seldom engage in CSR practices because of low profits. Among the hotels that have conducted various CSR activities, most managers believe that human nature or inner desire is the major motivation to commit to CSR. Benefits, long-term development, and other reasons are secondary motivations. The study's results also show that traditional Chinese values have significant influence on managers' perspectives towards CSR. The teachings of Confucianism have been the prevalent traditional value that influence managers' perspectives. Detailed results will be discussed in Chapter 5.

Degree

M.S.

Advisors

Day, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Management

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