Socially responsible investing (SRI) as a factor of competitiveness and sustainable development of organizations in young consumers' opinion

Abstract

. Young consumers belonging to Generation Z stand out from previous generations of consumers. The authors are interested in whether its representatives are familiar with the assumptions of corporate social responsibility and identify CSR activities implemented within the organisation. It is because CSR practices and activities undertaken by the companies influence the decision about SRI. The main objective of the paper is to analyse of use the SRI in organisations to build their competitive advantage in the market. This objective has been achieved by analysing and interpreting the results of our own research, conducted using the CAWI technique, among Polish representatives of Generation Z (n = 642). There were formulated hypotheses that the implementation of CSR in an organisation determines the decision about socially responsible investing and that socially responsible investing supports the building of a company's competitive advantage in the market. The hypotheses were verified on the basis of data obtained during the own questionary. There are used the correlation analysis using the chi-square independence test and Tschuprow's T-coefficient. The obtained results indicated that the Polish Z generation is a group knowledgeable about the CSR concept and aware of its importance in terms of influencing an organisation's positive reputation. The study has lasting value for the academic discussion on the impact of CSR and SRI on building an organisation's competitive advantage.