The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility on Competitive Advantage through Organizational Learning in the Jordanian Industrial Sector

Abstract

This study not only attempts to stress the direct effect of corporate social responsibility on competitive advantage but also the mediating effect of organizational learning at Jordanian industrial companies. In order to evaluate the relationships, the researcher uses a quantitative research method in which a questionnaire is designed based on previous studies. The questionnaire included 38 Likert scale items distributed to 325 top and middle managers working at Jordanian industrial companies registered on ASE. Data is analyzed using SPSS. The results show that only two dimensions of corporate social responsibility (public, customer, and employee orientation, and fair operation) significantly impact competitive advantage. Also, it has been found that organizational learning mediates the impact of two dimensions of corporate social responsibility (public, customer, and employee orientation, and fair operation) on competitive advantage. The originality of this study stems from the mediating impact of organizational learning on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and competitive advantage, particularly in the manufacturing industry of Jordan.   The researcher made some recommendations to management in which using organizational learning capabilities can explain the influence of corporate social responsibility on taking advantage of corporate resources.