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An Examination of Business Students' Perception of Corporate Social Responsibilities Before and After Bankruptcies

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Abstract

Significant research has found that corporations have a social responsibility beyond maximizing shareholders' value. This study examines the effect of high-profile corporate bankruptcies on perception of corporate social responsibility. Undergraduate and graduate business students rated the importance of corporate social responsibility on profitability, long-term success and short-term success, before and after high-profile bankruptcies. The results indicated that students in general perceived corporate social responsibility to be more important to profitability and long-term success of the firm and less important to short-term success after media publicity of corporate scandals. Several demographic factors such as gender, age and college major played a role in this perception. These findings have important implications for business education, especially as it relates to corporate social responsibility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Accounting, College of Business and Economics, California State University, Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90032-8121, USA

    Rafik Z. Elias

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  1. Rafik Z. Elias
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Elias, R.Z. An Examination of Business Students' Perception of Corporate Social Responsibilities Before and After Bankruptcies. Journal of Business Ethics 52, 267–281 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000037558.74693.d5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000037558.74693.d5

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