Corporate social responsibility and customer-citizenship behaviors: the role of customer–company identification

Purpose This study aims to analyse a proposed model depicting the direct and indirect relationship between consumer perceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and customer citizenship behaviour (CCB) in the banking industry. Design/methodology/approach In this study, data was collected from banking consumers in India. The final sample included 505 responses. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling. Findings The findings suggest that consumer perceptions of CSR are positively related to consumer identification with the company and CCB. Also, the relationship between consumer perception of CSR and CCB is mediated through consumer–company identification. This suggests that CSR activities are positively related with the consumer identification with their company, which encourages CCB. Originality/value This study contributes empirically and theoretically to expand the limited knowledge about the cognitive link between CSR and consumer behaviour. This study provides new insights about the proposed relationships related to the effects of consumer perception of CSR on CCB.