Mental health and corporate social responsibility for industrial psychology

SA Journal of Industrial Psychology ISSN: (Online) 2071-0763, (Print) 0258-5200 Page 1 of 10 Original Research Mental health and corporate social responsibility for industrial psychology Authors: Dean Vermeulen1 Lené I. Graupner1 Bouwer E. Jonker1 Affiliations: 1 WorkWell, Research Unit for Economic and Management Sciences, School for Human Resource Sciences, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa Corresponding author: Lené Jorgensen-Graupner, Dates: Received: 20 Mar. 2019 Accepted: 30 May 2019 Published: 10 Oct. 2019 How to cite this article: Vermeulen, D., Graupner, L.I., & Jonker, B.E. (2019). Mental health and corporate social responsibility for industrial psychology. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology/SA Tydskrif vir Bedryfsielkunde, 45(0), a1665. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/sajip.v45i0.1665 Copyright: © 2019. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License. Read online: Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to read online. Orientation: Organisations must do whatever it takes to ensure sustainability and longevity, and extend benefits into the communities where they operate. Research purpose: The general aim of this study was to explore the contribution that the profession of industrial psychology can make towards improving mental health by means of a CSR programme. Motivation for the study: This study was motivated by the notion that, in South Africa, organisations are encouraged to be socially responsible and Industrial-organisational Psychology (IOP) can be of service to this goal for the organisation. Research approach/design and method: A qualitative research design with a combination of purposive and convenience sampling was utilised. Participants consisted of the project team who participated in a training institution’s CSR initiative in the North West province. Data gathering took place in the form of semi-structured in-depth interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Main findings: The results showed that typical IOP topics that could be formulated into a CSR programme included life skills and topics related to personal growth and self-worth. The results also showed that universities are able to play a vital part in community engagement, and an inter-relationship of benefits can be established. Practical/managerial implications: The research indicates that industrial and organisational psychologists could also contribute to organisations when they operate in the CSR scope. Contribution/value-add: On an individual level, this study contributed to clarify the understanding whether IOP has a place in social investment and contributions. Keywords: Corporate social responsibility; Mental health; Industrial psychology; Career counselling; Workplace counselling; Young adults. Introduction In the global organisational arena, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been, and is, continually growing in terms of its importance and operationalisation. The concept of CSR is developing not only in terms of awareness but also in terms of interest in the concept (Serenko & Bontis, 2009). This growth has been argued by Okpara and Idowu (2013) as a result of the impact of unethical business practices and growing social concerns, as well as because of the growing role of corporations as global governance role-players that are especially discussed within political CSR research (Gilbert, Rasche, Schormair, & Singer, 2019). Okpara and Idowu (2013) furthermore indicate that in the contemporary business world, the exposure of unethical business leads to a decline in public confidence, which could be an enormous threat to the sustainability of the modern organisation. The ease of publicity that organisations enjoy in the modern age has the equal power to expose organisations that operate irresponsibly and unethically. This ease of publicity has highlighted the importance of impression management, creating the need for organisations to manage their operations concerning social responsibility more carefully (Okpara & Idowu, 2013). Note: This article is partially based on the author’s mini-dissertation for the degree Magister Commercii in Industrial Psychology at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University, South Africa, with supervisor Prof. L.I. Jorgensen and co-supervisors Mr B.E. Jonker and Ms H. Jonker, received November 2016, available here: https://dspace.nwu.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10394/25931/Vermeulen_D_ 2016.pdf?isAllowed=y&sequence=1. http://www.sajip.co.za Open Access Page 2 of 10 Aguinis and Glavas (2012) argue that apart from its popularity, CSR as a concept is still somewhat fragmented and elusive to conceptualise in a single domain. Different industries and professions define CSR differently (Aguinis & Glavas, 2012). In light of this multi-dimensionality of CSR, this research article will investigate the concept of CSR through the perspective of the profession of Industrial–Organisational Psychology (IOP). A literature review follows to conceptualise CSR from its global origins, moving towards the South African perspectives and applications, and finally integrating the concept into the dimensions and workings of the IOP profession. To further this conceptualisation, a case study was conducted to understand how the IOP can function in CSR roles. This is followed by a presentation of the methodology used in the study, reporting on the findings and drawing conclusions. Corporate social responsibility Corporate social responsibility is a concept that can be described as being multi-disciplinary and multi-level, which has undergone significant changes in the way it is understood and conceptualised. Moura-Leite and Padgett (2011) write that in the early 1950s, CSR was focused on doing good deeds for the society in which the organisation operated. These good deeds were mainly in the form of charitable contributions or presence in the immediate community. Moving into the modern and contemporary organisation, the concept of CSR has been adopted as a part of strategic business and success (Moura-Leite & Padgett, 2011). Defining CSR further varies within the context of different organisations, disciplines and industries. Dahlsrud (2008) indicates that CSR is mainly a concept whereby organisations focus on social and environmental concerns in their business operations. Organisations that engage in CSR can argue either the business case or the moral case for CSR. The business case for CSR, as indicated by Carroll and Shabana (2010), is underpinned by the notion that the organisation will enjoy financial benefits from CSR. On the contrary, the ethical case appeals to the morality and humanistic responsibility the organisation should have to serve society and conduct its operations responsibly (Okpara & Idowu, 2013). The business case for CSR highlights that the organisation will make money from CSR, referring to the triple (...truncated)