The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Culture on Stakeholders' Trust and Financial Sustainability: A Mixed-Methods Study Based on Social Network Analysis and Dynamic Questionnaires

Nikzad Ghadikolaei, Mahdis; Heydari Rostami, Keramatollah; Khalili, Yassaman

doi:10.22059/jsbu.2026.403616.1070

The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Culture on Stakeholders' Trust and Financial Sustainability: A Mixed-Methods Study Based on Social Network Analysis and Dynamic Questionnaires

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Administrative Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar

² Management Department, Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics, Arak University, Arak, Iran.

³ Department of Accounting, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jsbu.2026.403616.1070

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and organizational culture on stakeholders' trust and financial sustainability of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including social network analysis and dynamic questionnaires, the study analyzes stakeholder interactions and the dynamics of their perceptions over time. The statistical population consists of companies active in manufacturing, service, and technology industries, with 64 companies selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected from two main sources: social network analysis using Gephi and UCINET tools to identify stakeholder interaction patterns, and dynamic questionnaires to assess stakeholders’ perceptions over 6-month intervals during an 18-month period. The dependent variables were stakeholders’ trust (measured using a Likert scale) and financial sustainability (evaluated through financial indicators), while the independent variables were CSR (based on ESG indicators) and organizational culture (based on the Denison model). The findings revealed that CSR and organizational culture have a positive and significant impact on stakeholders’ trust. Stakeholders’ trust fully mediates the relationship between CSR, organizational culture, and financial sustainability. Additionally, company size acts as a moderating variable, with small and medium-sized enterprises exhibiting stronger effects. Social network analysis indicated denser stakeholder networks in companies with strong CSR and organizational culture. These findings align with previous studies but provide new insights through the mixed-methods approach and focus on the Iranian market.

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