CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AS AN INFLUENCING FACTOR TO THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF THE FIRM: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM APEX MINING CORPORATION

Abstract

This study was conducted to primarily  define what domain in the corporate social responsibility significantly influenced firm competitiveness. The respondents of this study were the employees from various divisions and departments of APEX mining company situated at Maco, Davao de Oro, Philippines. This study utilized a quantitative non-experimental research method employing the causal-effect technique. Further, it used two sets of adapted questionnaires in gathering the data to find out the level of Corporate Social Responsibility towards firm competitiveness of APEX mining corporation. The results showed that Corporate Social Responsibility is very much evident with regard to economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities. Firm competitiveness was very much evident in terms of quality, innovation, delivery channels, and customer relationship. Moreover, there existed a significant link in Corporate Social Responsibility towards firm competitiveness of APEX mining corporation in Davao de Oro. All the domains of Corporate Social Responsibility such as economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities predicted firm competitiveness of APEX mining corporation in Davao de Oro. This implied that Corporate Social Responsibility helped APEX mining corporation in Davao de Oro built a progressive image with suppliers, bankers, customers, and investors. Thus, strongly gave impact to its feat in the competitive setting.