Corporate Social Responsibility Drives Employee Commitment in Libyan Construction Firms, Study Reveals

New Research Shows Community-Focused CSR Initiatives Most Impactful for Workforce Engagement

TRIPOLI, Libya – In a groundbreaking study that could reshape human resource strategies across North Africa's construction sector, researchers have discovered a powerful connection between corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and employee commitment in Libyan construction companies. The research, published in the International Journal of Intellectual Human Resource Management, reveals that community-focused CSR activities have the strongest positive impact on employee loyalty.

Conducted by Dr. Tamer M. Alkadash of Gulf University and Dr. Saleem Mohammed Aljileedi of Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, the study examined how different dimensions of CSR affect employee commitment within Libya's vital construction industry—a sector that has faced significant challenges following years of political instability.

Key Findings Challenge Conventional Wisdom

The research team surveyed employees across Libyan construction firms to measure how CSR initiatives targeting four key areas influenced workforce commitment:

Community-focused CSR demonstrated the strongest positive impact (B=1.401, p<0.001), with employees showing significantly higher commitment when their companies actively supported local communities

Environmental CSR initiatives also substantially boosted employee commitment (B=0.687, p<0.001)

Employee-focused CSR programs showed positive effects on workforce loyalty (B=0.633, p<0.001)

Customer-focused CSR surprisingly showed no statistically significant impact on employee commitment (B=0.081, p=0.741)

"This research challenges conventional wisdom that customer-focused CSR initiatives automatically translate to higher employee engagement," explained Dr. Alkadash, the study's lead researcher. "In the Libyan context, employees care far more about how their company treats the community and environment than how it treats customers when determining their own commitment to the organization."

Methodology and Significance

The researchers collected data from 106 employees in Libya's construction sector, analyzing how perceptions of their companies' CSR activities related to their organizational commitment. The study represents one of the first comprehensive examinations of CSR's impact on workforce dynamics in Libya's post-conflict business environment.

"In many Western contexts, CSR is often viewed through a customer lens, but our findings reveal a fundamentally different dynamic in Libya's construction industry," noted Dr. Aljileedi. "Employees here see their company's community involvement as a direct reflection of organizational values, which significantly influences their personal commitment."

The research carries particular significance for Libya, where the construction industry plays a crucial role in national reconstruction efforts following years of conflict. With high employee turnover rates plaguing the sector, understanding what drives workforce commitment has become a strategic imperative for business leaders.

Practical Implications for Business Leaders

The study offers concrete guidance for construction companies seeking to improve employee retention and engagement:

Prioritize community investment: Companies should develop meaningful community engagement programs that employees can see and understand

Enhance environmental initiatives: Visible environmental responsibility programs significantly boost workforce commitment

Strengthen internal CSR programs: Employee-focused initiatives remain important, though less impactful than community efforts

Reassess customer CSR focus: Companies should avoid overemphasizing customer-focused CSR if the goal is improving employee commitment

"Business leaders in Libya's construction sector need to recognize that their employees are watching how they engage with the community," Dr. Alkadash emphasized. "When workers see their company making genuine contributions to local communities and environmental sustainability, they feel prouder to be associated with that organization."

Industry Response and Future Research

The findings have already begun influencing HR strategies at several major Libyan construction firms, according to industry insiders. One executive, who requested anonymity, noted: "This research validates what we've been sensing anecdotally—our employees care deeply about our community projects. We're now restructuring our CSR reporting to ensure employees see the impact of these initiatives."

The researchers recommend expanding this work to other sectors in Libya and across the broader Middle East region. They also suggest future studies examine how different employee demographics—such as age, gender, and tenure—affect perceptions of CSR initiatives.

As Libya continues its reconstruction journey, this research provides valuable evidence that corporate citizenship isn't just about public relations—it's a strategic workforce management tool that directly impacts employee commitment and, ultimately, business performance.