Overview: Using the topic and research question you developed in week 1, you will design a qualitative instrument that could potentially answer your topic/research question if it were to be applied to a qualitative study. Keep in mind, this may take some stretching if you wrote your question leaning quantitatively. The purpose here is not to box you in but to ensure that you have a solid understanding of both methodologies.

Directions:

You will develop a word document to include:

1. View the rubric to make sure you understand the expectations of this assignment
1.  DSRT 837 Rubric Adapted from Doctoral Research Handbook.docx DSRT 837 Rubric Adapted from Doctoral Research Handbook.docx - Alternative Formats
2. Your research question in the form of a qualitative question (if it was not already).
3. An instrument or protocol (interview, ethnography, focus group protocol, etc) that could be used to answer the qualitative version of your research question.
4. A one-paragraph description/justification of how your chosen instrument/protocol is the best choice for answering the qualitative version of your research question. This should include citations from the literature to support justification.

What was done in week 1

The impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on customer loyalty

What is the rationale for selecting this particular topic?

The rationale for selecting this subject matter stems from the growing significance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a fundamental aspect of contemporary business practices in the 21st century. There is an increasing expectation for companies to extend their objectives beyond just profit generation and actively contribute to the betterment of society and the preservation of the environment. This transition has furthermore resulted in a modification in consumer behavior, as several individuals now take into account a company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) endeavors when determining where to allocate their financial resources. Hence, gaining a comprehensive grasp of the correlation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and consumer loyalty may provide significant insights for enterprises.

The research questions that will be addressed in this study are as follows:

What is the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities on consumer loyalty within the retail industry?

What are the primary corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that have the greatest influence on consumer loyalty?

Is there a variation in the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities on consumer loyalty based on different age groups?

The present study aims to outline the design that will be used in conducting the research.

In order to address these study inquiries, I intend to use a mixed-methods methodology. Initially, a quantitative survey will be undertaken among a diverse range of retail shop consumers in order to assess their view of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities implemented by these retailers, as well as the impact of such efforts on their loyalty towards the stores. The survey will be formulated with the intention of gathering data that may be subjected to analysis in order to discern correlations and patterns. Furthermore, this study will include the use of qualitative interviews with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) managers within the retail industry. The purpose of these interviews is to get insights into the specific tactics implemented by these managers and their perspectives on the impact of these strategies on consumer loyalty.

References:

Carroll, A. B. (1999). Corporate social responsibility: Evolution of a definitional construct. Business & Society, 38(3), 268-295.

Kumar, V., & Pansari, A. (2016). Competitive advantage through engagement. Journal of Marketing Research, 53(4), 497-514.