Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting in the Casino Industry: A Content Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide preliminary exploration of how corporate social responsibility issues are currently reported and communicated by US major casino companies. Empirical evidence is drawn from standalone CSR reports and websites of the 30 largest casino companies in the US, which is explored through content analysis methodology. This paper finds that there are substantial variations in the reporting and communication of CSR issues by casino companies. While casino companies mainly rely on websites to communicate CSR issues, 23% of the sample companies use standalone CSR reports. Whereas websites tend to provide relatively limited information about CSR activities, standalone CSR reports have a tendency to cover comprehensive CSR themes in a detailed manner. In addition, the content analysis based on website reveals that while most casino companies tend to be passive about responsible gaming, some are trying to behave more actively and responsibly about this issue.

Unlocking the Power of Corporate Social Responsibility Communication in the Online Sphere: A Systematic Exploration

“…The first article meeting the established criteria on CSR web communication was published in 2006 by Branco and Rodrigues [53] in Corporate Communications: An International Journal. The most recent article is an article by Kim et al [54], published in Sustainability. The trend in the number of articles on CSR web communications from 2006 to 2023 is apparent from Figure 1.…”

“…Others concentrate on specific controversial sectors, whose products or services negatively affect human health. Guan et al [78], Kim et al [54], and Tetrevova and Patak [65] are among those authors, examining CSR web communication within the gambling sector in China, the USA, and the Czech Republic. Among these authors are also Ban [130] and Martinez-Sala et al [131], who examined the CSR web communication of global fast food operators and those in Spain, respectively.…”

“…These studies indicate that, in accordance with legitimacy theory, companies in controversial industries tend to focus more on their CSR web communication, particularly in areas related to their social sensitivity. Therefore, gambling operators pay special attention to the communication of responsible gambling and philanthropic responsibility [54,65]. Companies in the chemical industry [96], the oil and gas industry [20], the energy, mining, construction, and transport industries [86], the agricultural industry [86,110], and the meat industry [133], as well as manufacturing companies which are considered to be significant polluters [21], emphasize the communication of activities in the field of environmental responsibility.…”

The role of corporate social responsibility and corporate social irresponsibility in shaping corporate reputation: An analysis of competitive action and innovation strategies

“…Notably, Kim, Kim, and Park (2021), Kim, Lee, et al (2021) underscore innovation's role as a principal driver of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the automotive industry, driven by a quest for more sustainable and environmentally responsible technologies.…”

“…For instance, companies are directing substantial investments into the development of alternative fuel vehicles, including electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell cars, to meet the burgeoning demand for ecofriendly transportation (Zhang et al, 2020). These pioneering technologies necessitate significant research and development investments, which may impact a firm's short-term financial performance but can yield a sustainable competitive advantage over time (Kim, Kim, & Park, 2021;Kim, Lee, et al, 2021). Furthermore, innovation in the automotive sector extends beyond product enhancements to encompass process innovation.…”