Pedagogical Considerations Regarding the Sensitivity Toward Corporate Social Responsibility Among Undergraduates in Cambodia

Abstract

This study sought to examine demographic variables that affect the sensitivity of Cambodian students to corporate social responsibility (CSR). An inferential sample was drawn from an undergraduate accounting program in a higher education institution located in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was utilized with the demographic, independent variables of gender, location where the respondent was raised (Phnom Penh v. provinces), prior exposure to ethics education, level of religiosity, identification with a political ideology (capitalist v. socialist), prior work experience, self-reported academia grade level, self-reported socio-economic status of family, and year of study (i.e., freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) as well as fourteen attitudinal questions. The study found support (ranging from strong to minimal) for all of the demographic variable-based hypotheses except for year of study, which was rejected. Pedagogical considerations are discussed regarding the results. This study is a pioneering effort in the exploration of sensitivity to CSR among undergraduate students in Cambodia.