Can Socially Responsible Foreign Firms Attract Local Talents?

Purpose - Drawing upon signaling and social identity theories, this study explores the effect of engagement in CSR activities by foreign firms on applicants’ intention to apply. Furthermore, this study suggests CSR education as a moderator which strengthens the positive effects of the engagement in CSR activities on the intention to apply for potential job seekers. Research design, data, and methodology - One hundred and ninety-one undergraduate students were solicited to participate in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to two scenarios depicting different levels of a given foreign firm’s engagement in CSR activities. After reading the given scenario, respondents answered a series of questions on their intention to apply to the foreign organization. Result - The results from hierarchical regression reveal that Korean applicants have a more favorable perception of a foreign firm which performs engagement in positive CSR activities. Moreover, the positive effect of the engagement in CSR activities on the intention to apply has a greater impact for Korean applicants who had CSR education. Conclusion - The result indicates that foreign firms could overcome the liabilities of foreignness and attract local talent effectively, by engaging in CSR activities. Moreover, this study suggests the important role of CSR education, and significantly contributes to the international recruiting literature.