Employee participation in corporate volunteering as the moderator of links between relationships at work, work meaningfulness and affective commitment

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study is to test for a moderating role of employee participation in volunteering in links between employees' relationships with peers and supervisors, work meaningfulness (WM) and affective commitment (AC).Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a survey conducted on a sample of 711 employees, both those involved and those non-involved in corporate volunteering (CV).FindingsThe results suggest that employee participation in CV strengthens the effects that employees' perceptions of positive relationships with peers and perceived supervisor support (PSS) have on employees' AC. Contrary to expectations, although participation in CV strengthens employees' sense of WM, it does not affect its links with other phenomena analyzed in this study.Originality/valueCV is a fast-growing practice in corporate social responsibility. The reasons companies implement CV include the benefits they gain from it, such as positive effects on employee attitudes and behaviors. The paper contributes to the understanding of CV effects on employee attitudes and behaviors and builds a better business case for this CSR practice.