Corporate Social Responsibility Scores Research Articles

Corporate Social Responsibility and Earnings Management: Evidence from Vietnam

Managers might use corporate social responsibility (CSR) to conceal their misbehaviours. One of these is the implementation of earnings management (EM), which could have serious effects vis-à-vis information disclosed to stakeholders. This study examined the relationship between CSR and EM in Vietnam using the Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini (KLD) scale on five aspects: community, diversity, employees, environment, and products. The results show that in the economic context of Vietnam, for the enterprises in the consumer goods and consumer services industries, those firms with higher CSR scores are more likely to engage in EM. This finding provides additional evidence on the relation between CSR and EM and contributes to streams of studies on earnings and CSR.

Corporate social responsibility and labor investment efficiency: evidence from China

PurposeWe expect to provide a complete theoretical framework and large sample evidence on the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the efficiency of labor investment. We also hope to provide micro-evidence based on labor investment behavior for the two-sided impact of corporate CSR behavior.Design/methodology/approachThis paper measures labor investment efficiency by estimating the difference between actual and expected net hiring of enterprises. CSR is measured on the basis of the CSR score of Chinese listed companies published by Hexun.com. A regression model is constructed to analyze the relationship between CSR and labor investment efficiency. Possible endogeneity problems are controlled by lagging independent variables, propensity score matching method and difference-in-difference method.FindingsResults show that CSR can improve labor investment efficiency by reducing over-hiring and under-hiring in emerging markets. The existence of the mediating effect of agency cost, information disclosure quality and employment fluctuation confirms that CSR improves labor investment efficiency through two mechanisms of corporate governance and labor market friction. The improvement effect of CSR on labor investment efficiency is more significant in non-state-owned, high CEO shareholding ratio and high-average urban wage enterprises.Originality/valueIn conclusion, our study is an important supplement to the existing research on the factors affecting labor investment efficiency. Our research conclusions will be helpful for enterprises in developing countries or enterprises in labor-intensive industries to improve labor investment inefficiency. The conclusion of the mechanism analysis in this paper provides more complete and reliable microscopic evidence for accurately identifying the specific path of CSR's impact on labor investment efficiency. This paper verifies the positive impact of CSR from the perspective of labor investment efficiency in the context of a developing country, which provides evidence for the theoretical conflicts related to CSR based on the effectiveness of enterprise labor investment decisions.

Walking the Walk: Corporate Social Responsibility and Product Recalls in the Automotive Industry

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to disentangle a unique way in which corporate social responsibility (CSR) affects firm value in the context of product recalls in the automotive industry.
 Methodology: Using a sample of product recall events in the automotive industry between 2002 and 2018 and controlling for the spread of product recalls across product lines, this study explores the underlying economic channels through which CSR improves investments in quality. For robustness check, self-selection bias is corrected for using a 2SLS approach and alternative measures for product failures and CSR.
 Findings: The authors find that firms with higher CSR scores are associated with a lower frequency of recalls. Moreover, higher CSR scores are associated with a higher likelihood of voluntary recalls, higher product quality, higher capital expenditures, and higher employee productivity.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: This study offers insights to managers, investors, and board members, showing the potential benefits of engaging in CSR activities. This study contributes to the literature on the effect of CSR on different managerial decisions and the factors that affect product recalls. Additionally, the study reveals the connection between CSR and product recalls.

Exploring the multifaced influencing factors of corporate social responsibility in Chinese-listed manufacturing enterprises

Although scholars have conducted research on the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Chinese firms from different perspectives, there has been no unified conclusion so far. Therefore, identifying the factors that influence CSR in Chinese enterprises is an important topic for further investigation. Does the debt leverage ratio, ownership type, degree of internationalization (DOI), and auditing by the Big Four accounting firms have an impact on CSR? Based on a series of questions, our study aims to explore the influencing factors and relationships of CSR from multiple angles. Using data from 252 Chinese A-share listed enterprises from 2014 to 2019 and the CSR scores from the Hexun.com rating index, we constructed a panel dataset comprising 1,414 firm-year observations. After comparing models, the fixed effects method of panel data is ultimately used for empirical regression. The research results indicate a significant negative correlation between the leverage ratio and CSR. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) outperform non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs) in terms of CSR. There is a significant positive correlation between DOI and CSR. However, the contribution of audits by the Big Four accounting firms to CSR in Chinese enterprises is limited. While our study examines many aspects of the elements that affect corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Chinese companies, each firm must consider its circumstances and apply suitable strategies to improve its CSR practices.

De‐politicization and corporate social responsibility: Empirical evidence from China

AbstractGiven the lack of consensus in the existing studies about the impact of political resources on corporate social responsibility (CSR), we delve into this relationship and analyze the underlying mechanisms. To address the endogenous problems associated with political connection, this paper explores the consequence of de‐politicization and adopts an exogenous event in China. Results indicate that de‐politicization significantly enhances the CSR performance of firms. Specifically, de‐politicization can lead to a 1.474 increase in CSR scores. This finding is further supported by various robustness tests. Additionally, this paper probes into the reasons for the positive influence focusing on prerequisite and driving forces. For one thing, de‐politicization reduces the rent‐seeking expenses of politically connected firms, thereby granting these firms enough financial resources to improve their CSR performance. For another thing, CSR practices can convey positive information, improve financial performance, and enhance competitiveness, which motivates firms to actively participate in CSR issues to alleviate the adverse influence of losing political connection. This paper enriches the existing research on political connections and provides theoretical guidance and policy recommendations for improving CSR in developing countries.

Corporate social responsibility and bank value: evidence from bank capital

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on banks’ capital, value and risk by investigating its impact on capital inflows and asset quality. The authors aim to investigate the value-protective characteristics of socially responsible performance. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a two-stage least squares approach with instrumental variables, with bank and year fixed effects to address concerns regarding endogeneity, specifically reverse causality and unobservable factors. Findings The results confirm a positive association of CSR with capital adequacy, including higher quality Tier 1 Capital. The authors find strong evidence that banks with higher CSR scores are associated with greater bank value and lower risk. The extended analyses find that the improvement in capital is from annual growth in capital and lower risky assets. Originality/value The research advances the field by providing new empirical evidence of a positive association between CSR and capital, including high-quality Tier 1 Capital. This study complements the prior research by simultaneously examining the dynamic links between CSR and capital, bank risk and bank value. The findings are consistent with the view that there is a dynamic link in which CSR affects the operations of banks.

Managerial myopia and corporate social responsibility：Evidence from the textual analysis of Chinese earnings communication conferences

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) plays an important role in developing countries achieving sustainable goals. Using the textual analysis of Chinese earnings communication conferences, we investigate whether the managers' time horizons influence CSR performance. We find that the level of managerial myopia is negatively related to CSR scores. This deleterious impact manifests asymmetrically under diverse expectations. Furthermore, guided by the CSR pyramid theory, our findings suggest that managerial myopia undermines both financial and legal responsibilities, subsequently exerting an influence on the commitment to social responsibility. Compensation incentives can effectively mitigate the deleterious impacts associated with myopia. Nevertheless, heightened external pressures originating from capital and product markets may impose constraints on managers' time horizons, thereby amplifying the adverse repercussions of myopia.

The Effect of Accounting Conservatism On Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from the Corporate Governance Index in Türkiye.

The purpose of this study is to measure whether the companies listed in the BIST Corporate Governance Index have conservative accounting policies and examine the impact of this conservatism on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its components. Panel data analysis was used in the study. The results mean that companies listed on the BIST Corporate Governance Index prioritize conservative accounting policies and apply them in their financial reports. Additionally, it has been determined that accounting conservatism has a positive impact on companies' CSR scores and their components, with a stronger influence on board of directors scores and stakeholder scores. This finding suggests that companies with conservative accounting policies prioritize the interests of internal management while also valuing external stakeholders.

Manager Characteristics, Corporate Social Responsibility and Brand Value

This article uses the corporate social responsibility score released by Runling Global to conduct a regression analysis on the relationship between fulfilling social responsibility and enhancing brand value of China's 500 companies, as published by the World Brand Laboratory. The proportion of female managers and the proportion of managers with overseas experience are selected from the characteristics of managers as moderating variables to study the moderating effect of moderating variables on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and brand value enhancement. Research has found that fulfilling social responsibility by enterprises has a significant positive impact on brand value enhancement,state owned enterprises fulfilling social responsibility have a significant impact on brand value enhancement, while non-state-owned enterprises fulfilling social responsibility have no significant impact on brand value enhancement;the proportion of female managers in management has a significant positive moderating effect on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and brand value,in state-owned enterprises, the proportion of women in managers has a positive moderating effect on the impact of corporate social responsibility on brand value , in non-state-owned enterprises, this moderating effect is not obvious; managers with overseas experience have a significant positive moderating effect on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and brand value, the moderating effect of managers having overseas experience is significant in non-state-owned enterprises, but not significant in state-owned enterprises.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND MARKET-BASED PERFORMANCE: EXPLORING BI-DIRECTIONAL RELATIONSHIP IN AN EMERGING ECONOMY

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a critical indicator for bridging corporately responsible behavior and stakeholder inclusion towards achieving long-term development. While stakeholder and reputation-building theories suggest that CSR can affect organizational performance, slack resource theory proposes organizational performance can affect CSR. Accordingly, it indicates that CSR initiatives and firm performance have a bidirectional relationship. Despite many unidirectional studies conducted to examine CSR and firm performance interplay in diverse contexts, studies on bidirectional analyses to test contrasting theoretical standpoints in a single study are rare. However, examining the bi-directional role of CSR is crucial as it provides insights into using CSR as a strategic investment decision within the competitive organizational context. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between CSR and market-based performance as a bidirectional study from an emerging country perspective. Study data was collected from the sustainability/CSR disclosures in annual reports published between 2011 and 2020 by the top hundred companies (identified based on market capitalization) listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in Sri Lanka using judgmental sampling. The CSR was measured using a weighted CSR score assessed based on a comprehensive CSR index with thirty sub-dimensions. Market-based performance was measured using earnings per share (EPS) and firm value, and the control variables were firm size and leverage. The data was analyzed in two phases to examine the two-way linkage between CSR and market-based performance using the fixed effect panel regression technique. The findings concluded that CSR positively impacts market-based performance, confirming the role of CSR as a strategic driver to enhance future profitability. However, the study could not find any bidirectional impact of market-based performance on CSR in an emerging context. Although higher CSR affects higher external performance, higher market-based performance does not affect increased CSR in Sri Lanka. It may be because external performance indicators represent only the future profitability of firms, and these indicators are generally highly volatile over a long period, especially in emerging countries like Sri Lanka.

Geographic location and corporate social responsibility: urban versus non-urban firms

ABSTRACT This paper examines whether and how firm headquarters location affects corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. Utilizing a propensity-score matched sample, we find that comparing to their urban counterparts, non-urban firms are less likely to spend resources on CSR programmes while exhibit a similar degree of socially irresponsible behaviour, resulting in a lower overall CSR score. Further analysis indicates that the availability of financial resources, public monitoring, and social capital mediate the relationship between firm location and CSR performance. Our research adds to the debate on CSR impetus by lending support to the economic incentive of CSR engagement and provides evidence of the social impact of location of corporate headquarters.

The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Corporate Financial Performance --An Empirical Study of Chinese Energy Firms

As the impacts of environmental pollution and climate change on humanity have become increasingly severe, achieving sustainable development has heightened global concerns in recent years. An increasing number of companies have recognized the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and are actively investing in enhancing their performance. Moreover, an increasing number of investors are considering social factors when making investment decisions. Although the potential impact of CSR on corporate financial performance (CFP) is a growing interest in related research filed, there still needs to be consensus on their relationship. This study seeks to address this gap in the context of the Chinese energy sector. By conducting fixed effect panel regression on the CSR scores, accounting financial indicators, and fundamental panel data of 876 listed companies in the Chinese energy sector over the past decade, this paper reveals a nonlinear positive impact of CSR on CFP. Further threshold regression is applied to identify distinct threshold values that affect different financial indicators. The findings of this paper complement the existing related research and provide valuable support and guidance for companies in the energy sector to undertake social responsibility and engage in social responsibility investments effectively.

Does institutional ownership affect corporate social responsibility? Evidence from China

This paper assesses the correlation between institutional ownership and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Our results indicate that institutional ownership is positively associated with firms' CSR scores, which is largely driven by pressure-resistant institutions rather than pressure-sensitive institutions. Moreover, we find that the positive association is stronger for firms with state-owned, poorer initial CSR performance, and located in regions with a higher level of marketization. Further analyses imply that the beneficial effect on CSR scores has a smaller with an increase in institutional ownership concentration, whereas the strength of corporate governance can alleviate the damaging influence of institutional ownership on CSR performance. Finally, we identify two potential mechanisms through which institutional ownership affects CSR projects: Financial constraints and analyst attention.

The Independence of Judges and Corporate Social Responsibility

AbstractLimited research has focused on the influence of judge independence on firms' corporate social responsibility (CSR), despite extensive literature examining the impact of the legal environment on CSR. To address this gap, we analyze the staggered adoption of judicial delocalization reform in China. This reform aimed to enhance local judges' independence and our analysis shows that firms have exhibited higher CSR scores since its implementation. Our channel analysis reveals an increase in lawsuits and monetary claims against firms due to the reform, indicating that firms engage in CSR activities to mitigate the negative effects of legal proceedings. The impact of the reform on CSR is stronger for high-litigation-risk firms and weaker for politically connected firms. Moreover, the positive relationship between the reform and CSR is more pronounced in regions with higher levels of government interference with judges before the reform. In summary, our findings highlight the important role of a supportive legal environment in fostering CSR, emphasizing the influence of judge independence.

A multi-phase decision-making approach for supplier selection and order allocation with corporate social responsibility

Despite attention of the developed countries towards social responsibility, this issue is still not well-established in developing countries. The short-term management period in these countries, numerous management changes in organizations, and incomplete, vague, and uncertain information make the organization’s senior management pays attention only to economic issues. Accordingly, this study outlines a multi-phase methodology to address the challenges of integrating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Supplier Selection and Order Allocation Problem (SSOAP) in developing countries. A multi-objective model is developed based on traditional criteria, which takes into account the concerns of senior managers. Suppliers are then evaluated based on their CSR practices using linguistic terms and fuzzy numbers to account for the vagueness and uncertainty in these practices. The study also applies the Best Worst Method (BWM) to calculate the weight that is integrated into different stages of the methodology. Interval-valued CSR scores for each supplier are employed to estimate the interval-valued CSR score for each supply chain belonging to solutions obtained from the mathematical model. Additionally, a method based on the TOPSIS structure is developed to rank solutions. The proposed method maintains an interval-based structure throughout its steps and ranks alternatives according to the interval relative closeness index using the order relation between two intervals. The study is validated with a numerical example and a real case problem. The results are discussed with respect to the feedback provided from the case managers and a comprehensive sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the behavior of the model under different circumstances. The model demonstrates that incorporating CSR practices alongside traditional criteria can alleviate senior managers' economic worries. Furthermore, the community stands to gain from such practices. Our methodology also highlights the impact of CSR on supplier purchases and verifies incorporating CSR practices alongside traditional criteria can enhance sourcing efficacy.

Corporate headquarters relocation and CSR performance

This study examines the relationship between corporate headquarters relocation decisions and corporate social responsibility (CSR). If the cost-savings motive is the primary force behind the relocation decision, we would expect to observe a reduction in CSR commitments of relocating firms. Our results fail to provide support for the occurrence of such a reduction, even when the move affords the firm an opportunity to do so. Following a move, firms do not reduce their CSR commitments. On the contrary, the average firm tends to significantly improve its CSR scores in the “environment” and “overall” categories. Our findings hold even after accounting for fixed effects, control variables, and addressing issues of heterogeneity and endogeneity. In investigating the driver of this outcome, we find that the local political environment of the new headquarters location plays an important role. In particular, a stronger tendency to increase CSR activities is mostly associated with relocations to a Democratic rather than a Republican state.

Exploring the role of analysts in identifying and communicating the value of bank CSR activity

PurposeIn this study, the authors investigate if analysts, as knowledgeable information intermediaries, can correctly identify bank corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and can reliably transmit that information to investors. Hence, the authors specifically explore if analysts perceive and behave differentially in the presence of genuine bank CSR activities (strengths). The authors also analyze if financial markets differentially assess bank CSR strengths. The authors further explore the viability of focusing on analyst and financial markets to validate genuine bank CSR strengths.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use COMPUSTAT and CRSP for firm and financial data, I/B/E/S for analyst reporting data and MCSI Research KLD for CSR data. The sample consists of 329 distinct banks and 2,525 bank-year observations from 2003 to 2016. The primary CSR score is the total number of CSR strengths less the total number of CSR concerns, across six of the seven dimensions for each firm in each year of the sample (Adjusted CSR Score). In addition, the authors estimate all the analyses with dis-aggregated measures of total CSR strengths and total CSR concerns (Adjusted Total Strength Score).FindingsThe authors find that analysts correctly distinguish and construe bank CSR strengths from CSR concerns. Specifically, bank CSR strengths increase analyst following and forecast accuracy, while decreasing analyst forecast dispersion. The authors further find that bank CSR strengths increase bank market returns. These results are reversed for bank CSR concerns. Additionally, the authors demonstrate that this method using knowledgeable intermediaries can help validate bank CSR strengths.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is limited to US banks and financial markets. The regulatory and information environment is likely to be different from global or emerging markets. However, since banks in many countries aspire to emulate the US banks, these results would be a precursor of banking sectors conditions in emerging markets. Additionally, the availability of data limits the sample to a period that ends in 2016. To the extent that the importance of ESG and CSR concerns has increased in the intervening time, the results may not accurately reflect the current state of the market.Practical implicationsThis investigation benefits researchers, customers, banking executives, regulators and activist groups. First, the authors show that in addition to customers, analysts and the financial markets appreciate bank CSR strengths. Second, despite sophisticated financial reporting by banks, analysts correctly distinguish and construe bank CSR strengths. Third, the authors demonstrate a method for bank marketing researchers to validate genuine bank CSR activity, as well as provide additional support for customer related bank CSR outcomes. Fourth, the findings highlight the importance for banks to have high-quality CSR reporting. This might be especially helpful to a bank rebuilding its reputation after a CSR failure. Finally, this investigation using US banks could serve as a precursor for future bank CSR research and help develop CSR reporting guidelines for banks in emerging economies.Social implicationsThis investigation benefits researchers, customers, banking executives, regulators and activist groups.Originality/valueThis investigation benefits researchers, customers, banking executives, regulators and activist groups. First, the authors show that in addition to customers, analysts and the financial market appreciates bank CSR strengths. Second, despite sophisticated financial reporting by banks, analysts correctly distinguish and construe bank CSR strengths. Third, the authors demonstrate a method for bank marketing researchers to validate genuine bank CSR activity, as well as provide additional support for customer related bank CSR outcomes. Fourth, the findings highlight the importance for banks to have high-quality CSR reporting. This might be especially helpful to a bank rebuilding its reputation after a CSR failure. Finally, this investigation using US banks could serve as a precursor for future bank CSR research and help develop CSR reporting guidelines for banks in emerging economies.

Does CSR reduce financial distress? Moderating effect of firm characteristics, auditor characteristics, and covid-19

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial distress and the moderating effect of firm characteristics, auditor characteristics and the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in China. Design/methodology/approach The research question is empirically examined on the basis of a data set of 1,257 Chinese-listed firms from 2011 to 2021. The dependent variable is financial distress risk, which is measured mainly by Z-score. CSR score is used as a proxy for CSR. Propensity score matching, two-stage least square and generalized method of moments are adopted to mitigate the potential endogeneity issue. Findings This study reveals that CSR can reduce financial distress. Specifically, results show an inverse relationship between CSR and financial distress, more significantly in non-state-owned enterprises, firms with non-BigN auditor and during Covid-19. The results are consistent and robust to endogeneity tests and sensitivity analyses. Originality/value This study enriches the literature on CSR and financial distress, resulting in a more attractive corporate environment, improved financial stability and more crisis-resistant economies in China.

Is there a mediating role of corporate social responsibility between board independence, board diversity, and dividend payouts decision?

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the mediating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the link between board independence, board diversity and dividend payouts underpinning the agency theory perspective. As boards are ultimately responsible for decision-making, it includes CSR, dividend payouts and other strategic decisions.Design/methodology/approachBoard independence and board diversity (female director, female independent director) are used as explanatory variables, CSR scores as a mediator and dividend payout explained variables. The relevant data were collected from 159 listed firms of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) from 2013 to 2019, consisting of 1,113 year-firm observations. For empirical estimation, the study used the Tobit regression analysis and Sobel test to check the significance of the mediation to confirm the hypothesis.FindingsThe results confirm that independence and diversity on the board are positively related to dividend payouts. Further, CSR partially mediates the link between independence and diversity on board-dividend payouts, which confirms the argument that firms with involvement in CSR practices are also associated with dividend payouts.Research limitations/implicationsTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is novel to address whether CSR mediates the link of the board’s independence and diversity and dividend payouts in Pakistan’s setting. The results of this study have restricted generalizability due to the specific nature of the sample characteristics; future researchers can extend the research scope.Practical implicationsTheoretically practically, the results imply that CSR spending also enhances the distribution to firms' shareholders, thus becoming attractive to investors. This study enriches the literature on board attributes-dividend policy nexus, which strengthens through CSR practices and is relevant to practice in line with sustainable development in an emerging context.Originality/valueCSR practices are an understudied but significant factor that links stakeholders' beliefs about firms' decision-making strategies, enhancing dividend announcements. In doing so, this study's findings contribute to the literature, regulators, shareholders and investor at various levels.

Corporate social responsibility: Formal versus informal firms

AbstractIn this article, using both cross‐country data including 73 countries, as well as a novel data from a firm level survey covering 1000 firms in Turkey, I investigate the relationship between informality and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Using the firm‐level data, I ask whether corporate social responsibility scores (CSR) and its relationship with firm's expected performance and profitability are different for firms mainly operating in the formal and informal sector. Cross‐country data reveals a significant negative correlation between CSR and informal sector size. On the other hand, using the firm‐level data, I find that firms that tend to engage in informal economic activities have significantly lower CSR scores. Moreover, CSR scores and firms' expected performance are generally positively correlated and this correlation is much less (and even not significantly different from zero in some cases) for informal firms. I also find some evidence that the main reason behind these results might be that firms mainly operating in the informal sector are spending significantly less to R&D and advertising as the relationship between these variables and the firm's performance and profitability is less pronounced for these firms.