Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study Appendix Instrument 1: Customers’ Questionnaire The Effects of CSR on Brand Equity This research is required to complete my research in analyzing the impact of CSR activities on the Brand building. Its main aim is to understand the link between Corporate Social Responsibility and Brand Equity. For this purpose, in this questionnaire, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities are defined as actions taken by a company that is not mandated by laws or regulation but may be seen as a positive action to the wider community, their employees, customers and the environment. Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Part I 1. Are you male or female? 1. Male 2. Female 2. Age 1. 18-25 2. 25-35 3. 36-45 4. 45+ 3. What is your Occupation? 1. Student 2. Employee- Public/Private 3. Business Owner 4. Unemployed 5. Other 4. Are you aware of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Concept of business? 1. Yes 2. No 1 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study Part II How important are the following activities when choosing a brand? Please rank from 1 to 5 (1 as least important & 5 as most important) 1. Company participates in activities which aim to protect and improve the quality of the natural environment. 1. Unimportant 2.Little important 3.Moderately Important 4.Important 5.Very Important 2. Company supports non-governmental organizations working in problematic areas. 1. Unimportant 2.Little important 3.Moderately Important 4.Important 5.Very Important 3. Company complies with all consumer rights and legal requirements. 1. Unimportant 2.Little important 3.Moderately Important 4.Important 5.Very Important 4. Company provides full and accurate information about its products to customers. 1. Unimportant 2.Little important 3.Moderately Important 4.Important 5.Very Important 5. Company contributes to campaigns and projects that promote the well being of society. 1. Unimportant 2.Little important 3.Moderately Important 4.Important 5.Very Important 6. Company encourages its employees to participate in voluntary activities. 1. Unimportant 2.Little important 3.Moderately Important 4.Important 5.Very Important To what extent do you agree with the following statements? (1 as least important & 5 as most important) 7. When purchasing items like a Car, Mortgage, etc.(High Involvement goods), CSR activities play a role in the decision making process. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 8. When purchasing items like a chocolate bar, bread etc. (Low involvement goods), CSR activities play a role in the decision making process. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 2 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study 9. I consider myself to be loyal to brands that practice CSR activities. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 10. A brand with strong CSR would be my first choice. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 11. CSR activities raise the profile of a brand in consumer’s minds. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 12. I will not buy other brands if a similar brand, which is associated with CSR activities, is available. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 13. I can identify brands with strong CSR activities. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 14. I can distinguish brands with CSR activities from other competing brands. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 15. I am aware of which brands implement CSR policies. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 16. I can quickly recall the symbol or logo of brands that practice CSR. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 17. Company adopts proper waste management techniques to help conserve nature and natural resources. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 18. Company respect ethics and implements the ethical standards and follow the laws while execution of its business operations. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 3 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study 19. If another two brands are exactly the same, it seems smarter to purchase the brand that practices CSR. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 20. CSR activities increase the level of trust you have in a brand. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 21. I view companies that practice good CSR in a more positive manner. 1. Strongly disagree 2.Disagree 3.Undecided 4.Agree 5.Strongly agree 22. Rank these business considerations in order of importance (1 being most important, 4 being least important). Legal responsibility Economic responsibility Ethical responsibility 4 Philanthropic responsibility Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study Instrument 2: Executives’Questionnaire Corporate Social Responsibility and its impact on Brand equity Part I: Socio-Demographic Information Introduction: This survey is part of study of the ways in which companies of the corporate world in Indore Region conceive their role in practicing CSR and the way in which this can help them to improve their competitive position and Brand building. The information provided will remain confidential and used only for purposes of academic research. The name of your company will not be disclosed within the final report of this research project. I will be happy to share the findings of the study with you. Directions: For the following, please tick only one response for each item. Company information: 1. Which of the following best describes your position in the company? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Owner CEO President CFO Principal Partner Senior Management 2. What is the highest degree of education you have completed? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. High school or equivalent Vocational/technical school (2 year) Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree Doctoral degree 3. Number of employees in your firm? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1-5 5-10 10-50 50-100 100-250 More than 250. 5 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study 4. Which best describes the type of industry of your company? 1. Retail 2. Services 3. Manufacturing 4. Wholesale 5. Agriculture based 5. What is the age of your firm? 1. 5 years or less 2. 5-10 years 3. 10-15 4. 15-20 5. 20 years or more 6. What type of business structure is your company registered as? 1. Sole Proprietorship 2. Cooperative society 3. Private Ltd. Co. 4. Public Ltd. Co. 5. Partnership firm Part II: Level of firm participation in Community 1. Does your company undertake CSR activities in areas such as education, culture, sports, housing, health, poverty, etc.? 1. Yes 2. No 2. What percent (percentage) of sales does the company invest in CSR or community programs? 1. 0 2. 0-01-1 3. 1-2 4. 2-5 5. >5 3. If you answered NO to question 2 above, do you believe that your company will participate in one of these areas of social and community interest in the near future? 1. Yes 2. No Part III Instructions for next set of questions: Of the following possible objectives for undertaking CSR programs, please indicate to what degree these objectives are important to your company. Please provide the opinion related to 6 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study your company (5 being highest degree of agreement and 1 being lowest degree of agreement). (21 questions for Part III). Number Question None Little Some Much Very much 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 1 2 3 4 5 8. Develop new products or services that are environmentally friendly 1 2 3 4 5 9. Fulfill our social responsibility 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1. Influence our customer’s buying decisions 2. Develop new businesses with social objectives 3. Improve employee commitment to the company 4. Improve the company’s public image in society or in media 5. Obtain new customers 6. Fulfill legal requirements 7. Increase short-term profitability 10. Follow the usual practice in our industry 11. Create and enter in new markets 12. Obtain favorable tax treatment 13. How developed is your company’s plan to participate in social projects? 14. How much company time may employees use each month for community programs? 15. Compared to other companies in the industry, how do your firm’s expenditures on social programs compare? 16. We scan the social environment in order to promote our firm's compliance with social expectations. 7 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study 17. We track the development of legislation/regulation in order to have corporate compliance mechanisms in place by the time legislation is enacted. 1 2 3 4 5 How important are the following social objectives to your firm’s business mission? Number Question 18. Create employment 19. Collaborate with the community in activities of mutual interest 20. Preserve the natural environment 21. Help with social causes None Little Some Much Very much 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 Part IV: Stakeholders and CSR Instructions: Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement of the following statements: Number Question 22. The fulfillment of social objectives is necessary in order to achieve the company’s economic objectives 23. The management believes and values monitoring new opportunities which can enhance the company’s abilities to solve social problems. 24. The management believes & strategic long-term importance of participation in CSR to get brand trust. None Little Some Much Very much 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 8 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study 25. The corporation believes in performing in a manner consistent with the philanthropic and charitable expectations of society to reach improved image. 26. The company’s philosophy emphasizes viewing philanthropic behavior as a useful measure of corporate performance. 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 27. Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) are highly salient to our 1 2 3 4 5 organization. 28. NPOs receive a high degree of time and attention from our top 1 2 3 4 5 management team. 29. Satisfying the claims of NPOs is important to our management 1 2 3 4 5 team. 30. The employees are highly salient 1 2 3 4 5 to our organization. 31. Employees receive a high degree of time and attention from our top 1 2 3 4 5 management team. 32. Satisfying the claims of our employees is important to our 1 2 3 4 5 management team. 33. The government is highly salient 1 2 3 4 5 to our organization. 34. The government receives a high degree of time and attention from 1 2 3 4 5 our top management team. 35. Satisfying the claims of the government is important to our 1 2 3 4 5 management team. Compared to other firms in your industry, please rate your firm’s ability to interact with a wide variety of stakeholders, especially those with noneconomic goals: Number Question 36. Ability to collaborate with stakeholders to find solutions to social problems. None Little Some Much Very much 1 2 3 4 5 9 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study 37. Ability to explain the company’s point of view to communities and interest groups. 1 2 3 4 5 38. Ability to steer new developments effectively through public consultation processes. 1 2 3 4 5 39. Ability to spot opportunities amidst changes in social expectations and regulations. 1 2 3 4 5 40. Ability to innovate and continuously improve operations while improving social impacts. 1 2 3 4 5 None Little Some Much Very much 1 2 3 4 5 Firm Reputation 41. Please indicate the importance that you think social programs developed by your company have or would have on the company’s reputation with customers? Thanks for your valuable time & Co-operation. 10 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study Seeking Permission to use your Research Instrument Abdul Alim alim1abdul@gmail.com 6/26/15 to cnoelimits Dear Dr. Christopher A. Noe Sir, Warm Greetings. With due respect, I wish to state that I am a Research scholar of DAVV University, Indore, India. Undergoing my Ph.D with title "Brand building through CSR: A comparative Study". In reference to your 2014 research study entitled: Strategic CSR and Value Creation within Small and Medium U.S. Enterprises (2014), Ph.D work. I am seeking to apply a similar approach that you adopted in your study. I wish to seek your kind permission to use your instrument for study and analysis in my Ph.D work. I thank you in advance as I found your Ph.D study to be a tremendous help in my studies. I am thinking to incorporate some similar questions and to build upon your approach to examine the aspects of CSR & its impact on Brand value. I thank you Dr. Noe and I look forward to your kind and immediate response. Thanking you, With Best Regards, Prof. Abdul Alim Khan (09827793969) M.Sc, MBA, MDP-IIM (B), FDPM-IIM (I), Ph.D (Applied) CH Institute of Management & Commerce, Indore (MP) India 11 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study Christopher Noe cnoelimits@gmail.com 6/28/15 to me Hello Professor Khan: I am happy to offer you my survey instrument for your adaptation and adoption. I wish you well in your research and I have also attached my entire dissertation. I would also love to learn of your results upon its completion and analysis. Your study looks very interesting. I wish you well on it! Enjoy your PhD journey!!! My best, Christopher A. Noe, MBA, PhD Founder & CEO CNoeLimits, LLC Nonprofit & Social Enterprise Advisor LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christophernoe/ E-mail: cnoelimits@gmail.com Phone: 561.843.9003 (mobile) Seeking Permission to use your Research Instrument Abdul Alim alim1abdul@gmail.com 6/26/15 to bryanhusted Dear Dr. Husted Sir & Dr. Allen Sir, Warm Greetings. With due respect, I wish to state that I am a Research scholar of DAVV University, Indore, India. Undergoing my Ph.D with title "Brand building through CSR: A comparative Study". In reference to your 2009 article entitled: 'Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility and Value Creation, A Study of Multinational Enterprises in Mexico', from the Management International Review journal, (2009). I am seeking to apply a similar approach that you and Professor Allen 12 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study conducted in your study. I wish to seek your kind permission to use your instrument for study and analysis in my Ph.D work. I thank you in advance as I found your article on this topic to be a tremendous help in my studies. I am thinking to incorporate some similar questions and to build upon your approach to examine the aspects of CSR impact on Brand value. I thank you Dr. Husted and Dr. Allen and I look forward to your immediate and kind response. Thanking you, With Best Regards, Prof. Abdul Alim Khan (09827793969) M.Sc, MBA, MDP-IIM (B), FDPM-IIM (I), Ph.D (Applied) CH Institute of Management & Commerce, Indore (MP) India Bryan Husted hustedbryan@gmail.com 6/30/15 to me Dear Professor Khan, Thank you for your message and interest in the survey instrument described in the 2009 article. You certainly have my permission to use it. However, you may want to check with Management International Review as they hold the copyright to the article. Take care. Bryan Husted 13 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study 14 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study 15 Brand Building Through Corporate Social Responsibility: A Comparative Study 1