Financial performance and corporate social responsibility in listed non-financial firms in Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluates Financial Performance and Corporate Social Responsibility in listed Non-financial firms in Nigeria from 2009 to 2018. CSR practice by companies is virtually affected by their operations and performance. Therefore, companies with better performance are expected to engage more in CSR and consider public interest in corporate decision making. The population of this study covers all the seventy-five (75) listed non-financial firms in Nigeria from January 2009 - 31st December, 2018, from these a sample of fifty six (56) listed non-financial firms were selected by filtering. Narrowing down, the study to more specific term, it examines the effect of return on investment and net profit margin using leverage as control variables on CSR of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria. The Researcher employs correlational and expo-facto research designs using panel multiple regression as techniques of data analysis. Quantitative approach was adopted in the study and the study aligns to positivist paradigm. The study reveals that return on investment positively, strongly and statistically determines CSR measured at 1% level of significance respectively. Also, net profit margin positively influences the CSR of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria measured at 5% level of significance. The result implies that financial performance determines the CSR of non-financial firms in Nigeria. The study concludes that nonfinancial firms with high performance invest more in Corporate Social Services than low performing once. Therefore, the study recommends amongst others that managers of nonfinancial companies in Nigeria should improve their internal control mechanism for cost reduction and increase of net profit margin. While for return on investment, the management of listed non-financial firms should maintain quality assets that are durable. This is necessary because of the potential of companies that have such assets to vote more funds towards CSR.