CSR as a Selective Buffer: Pandemic Fear, Commitment, and Turnover Intention in the Hotel Sector

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 1. Hospitality Management and Tourism School, Central Asian University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 2. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Cyprus International University, North Cyprus, Mersin, Turkey.

2 Business and Management Dorset House D125, Talbot Campus, Fern Barrow, Poole, BH12 5BB

3 Tourism and Hotel Management, Cyprus International University 99258 Nicosia, North Cyprus

4 Institute of Environmental Sciences Jagiellonian University ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków

5 Hospitality Management and Tourism School, Central Asian University, 264, Milliy bog St, Tashkent, 111221, Uzbekistan

10.22059/ijms.2026.402832.678057

Abstract

Purpose - This study aims to examine the connection between Fear of Pandemic Crises, Sector Commitment (SC), and Turnover intention (TI) in 5-star hotels in Nigeria and to examine the mediating effect of Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the relationship between employee perceptions of pandemic crisis fear and behavioural outcomes.

Design/Methodology/approach - Data were collected from 150 employees from various five-star hotels. The relationships were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with bootstrapping (5,000 subsamples, two-tailed tests).

Findings - The study results indicate that CSR mediates the relationship between employee fear of pandemic crises and SC. Furthermore, our study and analysis demonstrated no relationship between CSR and TI and no mediating relationship.

Originality/ value - The study shows CSR partially mediates pandemic-induced fear’s negative impact on sector commitment but not on turnover intention. CSR restores employees’ sense of belonging to the hospitality sector and reinforces sector commitment, buffering attitudinal resilience but not behavioral withdrawal under high fear. This differentiation advances theory on CSR’s contingent role in employee resilience, indicating stronger effects on attitudinal (commitment) than behavioral (turnover) outcomes. It contributes to social identity and stakeholder perspectives by revealing CSR as a selective buffer in high-vulnerability service sectors.

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Interdisciplinary Journal of Management Studies

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 07 June 2026

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