Connecting the dots: A systematic review of corporate social responsibility, information asymmetry, and economic implications

Abstract

AbstractThis paper conducts a comprehensive review of the theoretical and empirical connections between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Information Asymmetry (IA), and their economic consequences. It employs a bibliometric analysis on 73 Web of Science manuscripts using VOSviewer1.6.18 software, combining this analysis with a literature review. The results reveal four thematic areas categorized into three clusters: CSR and IA, the impact of CSR and IA on internal risk control and corporate performance, and the broader effects of CSR and IA. The systematic literature review finds a prevailing consensus that CSR can alleviate IA issues, leading to positive economic outcomes like increased stock liquidity, enhanced investment efficiency, and reduced cost of capital. This study's uniqueness lies in its integration of bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review to provide a holistic summary of both theoretical frameworks and the economic implications of the CSR‐IA relationship. It offers valuable insights and recommendations for future research in this field.