Research on the relationship between social responsibility fulfillment and reputation of platform enterprises

• Main Author: TAO, Hong
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2024
• Subjects: Platform enterprise; Corporate social responsibility; Platform corporate social responsibility; Consistency of corporate social responsibility; Accounting; Business Law, Public Responsibility, and Ethics
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/etd_coll/591; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/etd_coll/article/1589/viewcontent/Research_On_The_Relationship_Between_Social_Responsibility_Fulfillment_And_Reputation_Of_Platform_Enterprises_4_.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

In the rapidly evolving platform economy, platform enterprises have emerged as significant contributors to socio-economic development, integrating resources and optimizing service delivery through innovative business models. However, their rapid ascension has also spotlighted significant challenges, especially in fulfilling their social responsibilities (SR) and managing their reputations effectively. This doctoral thesis delves into the intricate relationship between the fulfillment of social responsibilities by platform enterprises and their subsequent reputation in the market. Through a comprehensive literature review, this study identifies a gap in understanding how platform enterprises’ approach to social responsibility impacts their reputation among stakeholders. Utilizing a mixed-method research design that includes case studies, surveys, and empirical analysis, this research constructs a conceptual framework to explore the substantive and symbolic dimensions of social responsibility fulfillment and their nuanced impacts on corporate reputation. Findings indicate that consistency in fulfilling social responsibilities significantly enhances the reputation of platform enterprises. The study categorizes social responsibility actions into substantive and symbolic, highlighting that substantive actions, where enterprises undertake genuine efforts to address social, environmental, and economic issues, have a more profound impact on enhancing reputation than symbolic actions, which are often perceived as superficial or strategic manipulations for reputation management. Furthermore, the research identifies that stakeholder perception plays a critical role in mediating the relationship between social responsibility fulfillment and reputation. Enterprises that effectively communicate their social responsibility actions and engage with stakeholders transparently tend to build stronger reputations. This thesis contributes to the burgeoning field of platform economy research by offering a detailed exploration of the SR-reputation nexus within platform enterprises. It proposes a nuanced understanding of how these enterprises can strategically navigate their social responsibilities to build and maintain a positive reputation. Additionally, it provides practical insights for platform enterprises aiming to align their business models with sustainable and responsible business practices. The implications of this research extend to policymakers and regulators, suggesting the need for frameworks that encourage and monitor the social responsibility efforts of platform enterprises, ensuring they contribute positively to society while fostering an environment of trust and reliability essential for their long-term success.