Multiple paths to enhancing the resilience of project-based organizations from the perspective of CSR configuration: evidence from the Chinese construction industry
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 11 October 2022
Issue publication date: 1 February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) fulfillment is critical when building resilience of project-based organizations (PBOs). However, fulfilling CSR to build a highly resilient PBO remains a black box problem. This study explores the different CSR combinations that enhance PBO resilience.
Design/methodology/approach
This study defines CSR in terms of shareholder, employee, and social CSR, and analyzes corporate characteristics in terms of corporate scale and nature. Data are collected from Hexun.com and the China Stock Market and Accounting Research Database (CSMAR). The qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) method is used to analyze 48 listed construction and engineering companies from China to explore the CSR configurations for PBOs in enhancing organizational resilience.
Findings
A large firm size is a necessary condition for high organizational resilience. We find six paths to build high and non-high resilience in PBOs, and the driving mechanisms of high and non-high resilience exhibit an asymmetric relationship.
Research limitations/implications
This study cracks the black box of CSR fulfillment and PBO resilience. It reveals the CSR configurations that enhance or inhibit the resilience of PBOs. It also provides scientific basis for PBOs in their fulfillment of CSR in response to crises, and the enhancement of organizational resilience. Future research can be expanded to other industries, as the study sample is only limited to civil engineering construction companies. Since this study uses cross-sectional data, time series can be introduced in the future to further explore the relationship between CSR and organizational resilience.
Practical implications
This study provides targeted suggestions that can help decision-makers of construction companies to determine how they can fulfill CSR to enhance organizational resilience. At the same time, it can provide intellectual support for PBOs to cope with systemic crises and promote the fulfillment of CSR.
Originality/value
In terms of theoretical value, on the one hand, this study verifies the relationship between CSR fulfillment and PBO resilience, revealing its mechanism of action and multiple paths; on the other hand, it provides a new way of thinking for management research methods and enriches the theoretical study of organizational resilience.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and editors for their contributions to the article.
Funding: This work was supported by Hebei Education department under Grant number QN2020407, Hebei Province culture, Art Science and Tourism Research Project under Grant number HB22-YB096, and S&T Program of Hebei under Grant number G2021208004.
Disclosure statement: There are no conflicts of interest to declare.
Data availability statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Citation
Ma, T. and Liu, Y. (2024), "Multiple paths to enhancing the resilience of project-based organizations from the perspective of CSR configuration: evidence from the Chinese construction industry", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 31 No. 2, pp. 835-865. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-06-2022-0526
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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