The Mediating Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility on the Relationship Between COVID-19's Impact and the Performance of Nigerian Banks

Abstract

The study employed a descriptive research design to investigate the mediating role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the relationship between the impact of COVID-19 on the performance of Nigerian banks. The target population comprised the entire staff of selected banks (Zenith Bank, Guaranty Bank, First Bank, Access Bank, and United Bank) in the Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, totalling 207 respondents as provided by their regional headquarters. The selection of banks involved a purposive random sampling method, while the sample size of 138 respondents was selected as a sample size for the study. The data analysis was performed with the aid of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) and Path Analysis- Structural Equation Modelling (PA-SEM).  The results show that there is a positive relationship between COVID-19 and both banks’ performance and corporate social responsibility. This connotes that the surge of COVID-19 in Nigeria compelled banks to leverage digital age technology infrastructure, enabling the creation of opportunities. this shift also empowered consumers to conduct various banking transactions, including checking account balances and making payments through telecommunication networks.  Furthermore, it was also revealed that corporate social responsibility exerts a partial mediating effect on the relationship between COVID-19 and banks' performance. This suggests that the influence of COVID-19 on banks' performance is more pronounced when CSR levels are elevated.