Impact of CSR on learning outcomes

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of CSR initiative of ITC Limited on the stakeholders especially impact on the learning outcome of primary school students. The research further attempts to discover the level of impact of CSR on learning outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from the rural areas of Pune in the state of Maharashtra and Mysuru in the state of Karnataka in India. The total number of data collected was 227. The data were collected with the help of self-administered questionnaires via personal visits to the schools using systematic random sampling method. Parametric test, t -test is used to test research hypothesis. Multiple linear regression analysis is performed to identify which aspects have better contribution towards overall impact level of the CSR program. Findings The study results clearly underscore the impact of firm’s CSR activities on the stakeholders. The study findings suggest a significant impact of CSR on the stakeholder, primarily on the learning outcome of the primary school students. Practical implications The study offers a new insight for the CSR heads of companies who are planning and implementing CSR initiatives of companies for widespread impact on the stakeholders. This study addresses the concerns of business managers and CSR heads to prove the potential of CSR initiatives and the measurement of the value generated for the society through CSR interventions. Originality/value The previously conducted research works have explored the impact of CSR on financial performance, organizational stability, employee turnover, customer retention, etc. This study advances existing body of knowledge beyond developed western economies by exploring the value of CSR in India and its impact on the stakeholders. This study finds the impact of CSR initiative on learning outcome. The study makes a novel contribution by not only determining the impact of CSR on learning outcome but also by going a step further to unfurl the various underlying factors which contribute towards the overall impact.