Abstract
PurposeThis study examines the internationalization effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting, specifically aiming to identify and compare the CSR reporting practices of large US multi-national corporations (MNCs) and their Polish subsidiaries.Design/methodology/approachBased on content analysis and using a disclosure index, the authors examined the CSR information posted on, or linked to, the corporate websites of a sample of 60 US-based MNCs and their subsidiaries operating in Poland.FindingsThe findings indicate that US companies, despite operating in a less regulated environment, had more extensive disclosure than their Polish subsidiaries and covered more CSR-related topics. CSR disclosures within the US subsample were analogous in volume and detail. By contrast, only about half of Polish companies provided CSR disclosures, which were more diverse in volume and in the types of activities disclosed. The authors did not find a significant positive correlation between the CSR disclosures of the two subsamples.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature on internationalization processes and sustainability practices. It provides insights into the CSR reporting of companies located in Central and Eastern European countries. The findings also have implications for policymakers in incentivizing the enhancement of the reporting disclosure practices of companies.
Highlights
The extensive globalization of markets has increased the worldwide demand for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and transparency for investors and the market in general (Martínez-Ferrero and Frías-Aceituno, 2015)
While interest in CSR practice and disclosure is increasing throughout the world, its development varies across countries
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) members of the EU generally prefer to adopt CSR practices that function in more developed regions of the world rather than invent new ones of their own
Summary
The extensive globalization of markets has increased the worldwide demand for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and transparency for investors and the market in general (Martínez-Ferrero and Frías-Aceituno, 2015). CSR implementation varies from country to country and is influenced by specific factors. Many small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) lack the knowledge and experience to effectively implement generally accepted CSR practices. As subsidiaries of multi-national corporations (MNCs) headquartered elsewhere often adopt the most advanced CSR practices, they influence the development of CSR in the region. Such subsidiaries usually apply centrally managed CSR, customized to local laws and regulations (Feltham, 2016)
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