Skip to main content

CSR Market Positioning Constructs: From Planning to Action. Evidence from Romanian Internet Service Providers

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility

Part of the book series: CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance ((CSEG))

  • 2662 Accesses

Abstract

A positioning construct based on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) actions is a suitable alternative for companies acting especially in mature markets. Today’s highly-competitive business environment is marked by fast innovation, shorter product life cycles and an abundance of substitute alternatives. Also, regardless the market, the consumers are better informed than ever before and, hence, more demanding. Many businesses struggle to be better or different, based just on the peculiarities of the marketing mix as in many instances the offers are similar, the price differences are insignificant or the communication and distribution channels are the same. These considerations are prerequisites for uncovering new and effective market positioning strategies. This chapter presents the theoretical grounds for CSR market positioning constructs and focuses on CSR positioning endeavours suitable for Romanian Internet Service Providers (ISP). The chapter aims to offer a view that targets not just the most important players, but the small and medium ones as well. Although a few large Romanian ISPs have developed CSR structures to support community projects, the CSR actions are still in their infancy having a weak representation. This chapter will consider important social issues with a tremendous impact on the telecommunication industry, such as privacy, child internet access permission or service coverage in remote areas, or traditional CSR actions focused on stakeholders and build around them effective market positioning strategies for Romanian ISPs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aluchna, M. (2015). Employee volunteering as an element of corporate social responsibility: The evidence from polish listed companies. In S. O. Idowu & C. S. Frederiksen (Eds.), Corporate social responsibility and governance, CSR, sustainability, ethics and governance. Berlin: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anselmsson, J., & Johansson, U. (2007). Corporate social responsibility and the positioning of grocery brands: An exploratory study of retailer and manufacturer brands at point of purchase. International Journal of Retail and Distribution Management, 35(10), 835–856.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Autoritatea Nationala pentru Administrare si Reglementare in Comunicatii. (2014a). Raport Anual 2013. Bucharest, Romania: Author. Retrieved from http://www.ancom.org.ro/uploads/links_files/Raport_Anual_2013_ro_FINAL.pdf

  • Autoritatea Nationala pentru Administrare si Reglementare in Comunicatii. (2014b). The Romanian electronic communication services market-01 January-30 June 2014. Bucharest, Romania: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Autoritatea Nationala pentru Administrare si Reglementare in Comunicatii. (2014c). Registered entities as Internet Service Providers in Romania. Bucharest, Romania: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron, D. (2001). Private politics, corporate social responsibility and integrated society. Journal of Economics and Management Strategy, 10, 7–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beal, V. (2014a). Spam. Webopedia. Retrieved from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/spam.html

  • Beal, V. (2014b). Phishing. Webopedia. Retrieved from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/phishing.html

  • Berman, S. L., Wicks, A. C., Kotha, S., & Jones, T. M. (1999). Does stakeholder orientation matter? The relationship between stakeholder management models and firm financial performance. Academy of Management Journal, 42, 480–506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boulouta, I., & Pitelis, C. N. (2014). Who needs CSR? The impact of corporate social responsibility on national competitiveness. Journal of Business Ethics, 119, 349–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carrigan, M., & Attalla, A. (2001). The Myth of the ethical consumer—Do ethics matter in purchase behaviour? Journal of Consumer Marketing, 18(7), 560–577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carroll, A. B., & Shabana, K. M. (2010). The business case for corporate social responsibility: A review of concepts, research and practice. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(1), 85–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Catoiu, I., & Edu, T. (2007, May). The Internet Service Provider- an essential element of the microenvironment of marketing for the modern enterprise. In Volume II. Paper presented at the International Economic Conference Romania Within the EU: Opportunities, Requirements and Perspectives, Lucian Blaga University, Sibiu (pp. 88–94). Ed. ULBS, Sibiu.

    Google Scholar 

  • Commission of the European Communities. (2001). Prompting a European framework for corporate social responsibility. Brussels, COM (2001), pp. 366-final.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craciunescu, M. (2014). Cum arata piata de telefonie mobila in Romania tinerilor la finalul verii, Smark Research. Retrieved from http://www.smark.ro/articol/31015/cum-arata-piata-de-telefonie-mobila-in-romania-tinerilor-la-finalul-verii

  • Crowther, D., & Aras, G. (2008). Corporate social responsibility. Denmark: Ventus Publishing ApS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Du, S., Bhattacharya, C. B., & Sen, S. (2010). Maximizing business returns to corporate social responsibility (CSR): The role of CSR communication. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(1), 8–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edu, T. (2009). Marketingul Serviciilor Internet. Bucharest: Pro Universitaria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edu, T. (2013). Marketing strategic. Bucharest: Pro Universitaria.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, European Parliament. (2011). A required EU strategy 2011-14 for corporate social responsibility. Brussels, (COM 2011), 681-final.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garriga, E., & Mele, D. (2004). Corporate social responsibility theories: Mapping the territory. Journal of Business Ethics, 53, 51–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hart, S. L., & Milstein, M. B. (2003). Creating sustainable value. Academy of Management Executive, 17(2), 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Idowu, S. O. (2009). Corporate social responsibility from the perspective of corporate secretaries. In S. O. Idowu & F. Walter (Eds.), Professionals’ perspectives of corporate social responsibility. Heidelberg: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jucan, C. N., & Dolf Baier, M. S. (2012). The ICT implication on CSR in the tourism of emerging markets. Procedia Economics and Finance, 3, 702–709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinder, Lydenberg, & Domini Co. Inc. (1999). Socrates: The corporate social ratings monitor. Cambridge, MA: Kinder, Lydenberg and Domini Co. Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knox, S. (2004). Positioning and branding your organization. Journal of Product and Brand Management, 13(2), 105–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knox, S., & Maklan, S. (2004). Corporate social responsibility: Moving beyond investment towards measuring outcomes. European Management Journal, 22(5), 508–516.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leonard, D., & McAdam, R. (2003). Corporate social responsibility. Quality Progress, 36(10), 27–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levis, J. (2006). Adoption of corporate social responsibility codes by multinational companies. Journal of Asian Economies, 17(1), 50–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenstein, D. R., Drumwright, M. E., & Braig, B. M. (2004). The effect of corporate social responsibility on customer donations to corporate-supported non-profits. Journal of Marketing, 68, 16–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, X., & Bhattacharya, C. B. (2006). Corporate social responsibility, customer satisfaction and market value. Journal of Marketing, 70(4), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahon, J. F., & Wartick, S. L. (2003). Dealing with stakeholders: How reputations, credibility and framing influence the game. Corporate Reputation Review, 6(1), 19–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McWilliams, A., & Siegel, D. (2001). Corporate social responsibility: A theory of the firm perspective. Academy of Management Review, 25(1), 117–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moutinho, L., & Southern, G. (2010). Strategic marketing management: A process-based approach. Andover: Cengage Learning.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polonsky, M., & Jevons, C. (2009). Global branding and strategic CSR: An overview of three types of complexity. International Marketing Review, 26(3), 327–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2006). Strategy and society: The link between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility. Harvard Business Review, 84(12), 78–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Post, J. E., Preston, L. E., & Sachs, S. (2002). Managing the extended enterprise: The new stakeholder view. California Management Review, 45(1), 5–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ries, A., & Trout, J. (2001). Positioning—The battle for your mind. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. (2014). Fixed broadband in Romania—Trends and economic impact. Bucharest: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos, M. (2011). CSR in SMEs: Strategies, practices, motivations and obstacles. Social Responsibility Journal, 7(3), 490–508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, A. G., & Palazzo, G. (2008). Globalization and corporate social responsibility. In A. Crane, A. McWilliams, D. Matten Dirk, J. Moon, & D. Siegel (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of corporate social responsibility (p. 656). Oxford: Oxford University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlegelmilch, B. B., & Pollach, I. (2005). The perils and opportunities of communicating corporate ethics. Journal of Marketing Management, 21(3, 4), 267–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheikh, S. U. R., & Beise-Zee, R. (2011). Corporate social responsibility or cause related marketing? The role of cause specificity of CSR. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 28(1), 27–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, D. S., & Vitaliano D. F. (2006). An empirical analysis of the strategic use of corporate social responsibility. Working Paper in Economics, 0602. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, N. C. (2003). Corporate social responsibility: Whether or how? California Management Review, 45, 52–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. (2005). Institutional and social investors find common ground. Journal of Investing, 14, 57–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Tonder, E., & Roberts-Lombard, M. (2013). A theoretical framework for managing CSR plans and related initiatives in the modern business environment. Journal of Business and Economics Research, 11(12), 503–520.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, X. (2007). Stakeholder identifying and positioning models: From Google’s operation in China to a general case-analysis framework. Public Relations Review, 33, 415–425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tudor Edu PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Edu, T., Negricea, I.C. (2017). CSR Market Positioning Constructs: From Planning to Action. Evidence from Romanian Internet Service Providers. In: Aluchna, M., Idowu, S. (eds) The Dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility. CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39089-5_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics