Abstract
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) research has been criticised for its treatment of CSR as
a monolithic construct with macro-based, Western-centric theorisation. Therefore, this thesis
adopts a stakeholder-oriented, micro-based, cross-cultural approach to CSR. The thesis
differentiates between external and internal CSR, examining their antecedents and
consequences based on survey data collected from managers and employees in tourism firms
across Egypt and the United Kingdom (UK). To achieve this aim, this thesis is divided into
four studies (i.e., manuscripts). Study 1 unpacks the micro-processes underlying the
institutional pressures–external CSR relationship, drawing on micro-institutional theory and
organisational sensemaking literature. It shows that stakeholder issue salience and
discretionary slack sequentially mediate this relationship, supporting the willingness and
ability model of corporate social responsiveness. Study 2, premised on the attention-based view
of the firm, explores the often-overlooked problem of slack resource allocation to CSR issues
in a crisis context. It finds that managers allocate attention and resources to the issues that stem
from normative institutions, pose threats, or are urgently requested by stakeholders. Study 3
examines the relationship between ethical leadership and internal CSR from a multilevel
perspective. Using social learning and social exchange theories, it demonstrates that group
voice mediates the ethical leadership–internal CSR relationship, moderated by leader-member
exchange differentiation. The cross-cultural analysis highlights voice disparity and its negative
effects in Egypt versus collective voice and its positive effects in the UK. Study 4 theorises
CSR as a behavioural resilience-enhancing strategy. Multilevel results reveal the positive
impacts of external and internal CSR (and the negative impacts of CSR misalignment) on
employee and collective resilience under the boundary conditions of Covid-19 adaptive
practices and the home country’s warmth–competence stereotypes. Overall, the thesis advances
microfoundational and cross-cultural research on CSR and organisational behaviour, offering
valuable implications for employees, managers, tourism firms and policymakers.