Corporate Social Sustainability Research Articles

Sustainability and Creativity Management in Agribusiness

Agribusinesses are closely linked to natural resources, and sustainability is relatively important to companies indulged in agribusiness. This is especially true in developing countries, whose agricultural activities have largely focused on increasing efficiency rather than protecting the natural environment. Agribusinesses in these countries are currently facing the challenge of adopting corporate social responsibility practices. In this context, individual and collective creativity can be decisive. Our objective is to assess the role of creativity in improving knowledge management and innovation, environmental sustainability and performance in the agribusiness sector in the Dominican Republic. We develop a model linking green creativity with corporate social responsibility, knowledge-based innovation and sustainability performance, and formulate and validate numerous hypotheses that could help to better understand the different relationships and impacts between these elements. Testing these hypotheses could have implications for agribusiness management and policy in the Dominican Republic and possibly in other countries with a similar nature of their productive structure.

EffSET: a Self-Evaluation Tool to Assess the Effectiveness of Education for Sustainable Development

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plays a prominent part in the process of building the ethical, responsible, and sustainable consciousness of future generations and in addressing the sustainability challenge that society is facing. Nevertheless, very few methodologies have been developed to assess the effectiveness of sustainable and responsible teaching, so far. EffSET is a qualitative and quantitative instrument which was developed to enable Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and instructors to classify and analyse their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainability related courses and teaching concepts according to different criteria. The tool is also intended for benchmarking courses and HEIs in time (i.e. against previous years’ evaluation) and space (i.e. against comparable courses/HEIs) and to become an instrument to foster debate on ESD within and outside the institution. The idea behind EffSET is that a holistic perspective that involves, in an inclusive approach, values, strategy, operations, activities, stakeholders, structures, etc. of the HEIs and considers inputs and knowledge from different field of studies must sustain CSR/sustainability curricula/course if an effective impact on students’ long-term ethical, sustainable, and responsible behaviour is the envisaged learning outcome. This paper introduces EffSET and discusses its methodology. Preliminary results from very first applications are, also, showed.

Putting your mouth where your money goes! “Where” and “how” to communicate to maximize the impact of corporate social programs

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how corporate communication of their social programs on their websites affects the ratings of those programs by independent rating agencies. Firms expend resources on corporate social programs (CSPs) to promote their corporate social responsibility and sustainability credentials. Stakeholders, however, often respond to such “self-promotion” with skepticism because they believe that there are inconsistencies between corporate claims and actions. This research draws on attribution theory as a framework to examine how the perceived CSP performance of firms by uncontrollable sources are affected when firms disseminate CSP information on firm websites, i.e. a controllable source, where their claims may not be verifiable. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a two-step, mixed method study for the analysis using data from Fortune 500 companies. A qualitative content analysis process identifies the interfaces of CSP and their communications on firms’ website. The process allows the authors to collect CSP data systematically from firm websites and to identify relevant variables through the patterns that emerge from the analysis. The findings are used in a quantitative analysis to study how the patterns underlying CSP communication on their websites affect the ratings of firms’ CSP by independent rating agencies. Findings Results show that the location, the manner, the content and the scope of CSP information dissemination on firm websites, as well as perceived commitment to CSP identified on the website are important drivers of perceived CSP performance. A robustness check using an alternative independent rating of CSP also provides results that are supportive of the findings. In addition, the effects are found to differ by sector of operation, firm age and profitability. Research limitations/implications This research suggests that communication of CSPs at controllable sources of firm information dissemination can have a significant effect on the evaluation of CSP at uncontrollable sources when such communication facilitates the assessment of other information from a firm to determine the motive underlying a firm’s CSP. Practical implications The findings show that firms and managers can influence the perceived ratings, rankings or scores of their CSP by stakeholders when they put the right information at the right place on their corporate websites. One of the findings shows that even moderate levels of CSP commitment demonstrated on firm websites result in positive perceptions of CSP, which has marked practical implications. Social implications The findings show that integrating even a medium level of commitment to CSP increases the positive perceptions of a firm’s CSP. Thus, society benefits from the firm’s action without a substantial impact on the firm’s profits. Originality/value This research shows that firm-controlled sources of CSP information dissemination to stakeholders can affect uncontrollable sources of CSP information evaluation.

Sustainability Reporting through Environmental, Social, and Governance: A Bibliometric Review

Research on sustainability reporting is becoming increasingly important. Despite the growing body of literature on sustainability reporting, little is known about its past trends and how research areas might evolve in the future. Recognizing and understanding the research trend related to sustainability reporting will enable future researchers to plan and conduct research that is of high interest and impact in terms of both readership and citations. This study examines a large body of literature on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainability reporting over the last 24 years (1998–2022). The study used bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer software to perform publication trends, citation analysis, and keyword mapping analysis. Data for the analysis was extracted from the online database Scopus on 24 April 2022. Uniquely, the study also employed the Gephi technique, version 0.9.5 of bibliometric analysis, to uncover past ESG research trends and sustainability reports and predict how the content of these study areas will evolve in the future. Based on a sample size of 358 articles, most publications were published in English and in open-access journals. The resultant outcomes of the Gephi technique show that the ESG and sustainability reports can be merged into four clusters. The first cluster points out that corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability reporting now have a stronger social focus as they focus on benefits and environmental impacts. The second cluster focuses on benefits and corporate social responsibility rewards. The third cluster emphasizes the cost of equity and ESG disclosure. Finally, the fourth cluster emphasizes the cost of capital and governance in CSR. The research cluster’s discovery sheds light for future researchers in planning and designing future research focuses.

Managing a Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability: A Systematic Review

The paper is devoted to building up a comprehensive model of the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability practices based on the analysis of their main predictors to ease the process of managing CSR and sustainability activities and provide practical recommendations for businesses regarding successful realization of their business, social and sustainable development goals. Currently, businesses integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability practices into their strategies to enable the fulfillment of sustainability goals and gain competitive advantages. Therefore, to achieve the aim of the study, a systematic review methodology was used in six stages: (1) defining the benchmarks; (2) extraction of papers from the two most cited databases: Web of Science and Scopus; (3) Manual content analysis of all extracted papers; (4) Identification of the dominant categories of this research topic; (5) The development of a comprehensive model of the relationship between CSR and sustainability, and(6) Discussion and control of obtained results and provision of recommendations for future studies. The model suggested is seen as a roadmap for organizations in different sectors of the economy and includes a variety of determinants that were divided into two groups depending on their relevance to an organization: the components of human and social capital, the technical characteristics of an organization and financial dimensions, and the outside business environment, which is determined by the political system and the level of corruption.

Corporate social responsibility and sustainability practices in B2B markets: A review and research agenda

This article provides a review of the literature on corporate social responsibility/sustainability (CSR in short) in business-to-business markets (B2B). Focusing on socially responsible practices and sustainable activities between buyers and suppliers within supply chains and distribution channels, we offer an integrated framework that synthesizes the literature of CSR research in the buyer-supplier contexts. This theoretical framework delineates the important drivers and motives at different levels (institutional, organizational, interorganizational, individual), the key CSR practices (responsible purchasing and sustainable procurement, responsible supplier selection and governance, strategic CSR integration) and the resulting triple bottom line performance outcomes (social, environmental, economic). Drawing on the findings from the literature, we also include the value- and relationship-driving variables that mediate the CSR-performance links as well as the internal and external conditions that moderate these links. Further, our review assesses the diverse theoretical perspectives and methodological issues in the literature to reveal important knowledge gaps. Based on the gaps, a future research agenda with theoretical and managerial implications for CSR research in B2B markets is offered.

Green human resource management, a gateway to employer branding: Mediating role of corporate environmental sustainability and corporate social sustainability

AbstractThis study proposes a model based on competitive advantage and signaling theories that show how green human resource management (GHRM) leads to corporate environmental sustainability and corporate social sustainability and is thus source of employer branding. Structural equational modeling was used for data analysis through Smart PLS. The results confirm that GHRM positively influences on corporate environmental sustainability, which in turn positively influences corporate social sustainability. Furthermore, the results confirm that corporate social sustainability has a positive influence on employer branding. The results also support the mediating effects of corporate environmental sustainability between GHRM and corporate social sustainability. Additionally, we show the mediating effect of corporate social sustainability between corporate environmental sustainability and employer branding. In the human resource literature, previous studies emphasize on corporate environmental sustainability. By contrast, this study confirms that a corporate social sustainability is a source of employer branding. By implementing GHRM, organizations can gain a competitive edge, which helps them attract potential employee.

Standardisation of the Social Responsibility System as a Tool for Business Sustainability

Purpose: The purpose of the research is to design an innovative model for implementing the integrated corporate social responsibility management system based on the progressive, internationally recognised ISO standards. Methodology/Approach: This paper analyses the development, current state and trends in implementing the corporate social responsibility system, emphasising the applied approaches and models in the context of possibilities and barriers to their implementation and acceptance in the global markets. Findings: New market conditions in the global markets within sustainable development require the certification of quality management systems. From this point of view, the integration of management systems is vital, and it brings synergetic effects. Developing the future concept for corporate social responsibility management and sustainability is inevitable. Research Limitation/Implication: In the meantime, there is no ISO standard as the model for management and the system of social responsibility in the integrated system. The issue is still poorly formalised, developed and appreciated in social practice. The newly revised ISO standards with a 10-element HLS structure and their development and constant addition provide space for the innovative modelling of the social responsibility system in integration with the management of other aspects of the organisation. Originality/Value of paper: The paper is original due to its focus on the implementation of the social responsibility system in accordance with the latest and newly revised ISO standards in the integrated system form.

Perceived corporate social responsibility and pro-environmental behaviour: Insights from business schools of Peshawar, Pakistan.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and environmental sustainability have become urgent concerns for contemporary businesses. This study focuses on the interplay between corporate social responsibility perceptions and pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) in response to experts’ call for research on the micro-foundations of corporate social responsibility. In addition, it reveals the mechanism underpinning how perceived CSR shapes pro-environmental behaviour in an understudied developing context. Empirically, a qualitative multiple-case research design is utilised by selecting three business schools from Peshawar, Pakistan. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior management and faculty to collect data. Besides primary data, a qualitative documentary review is used to enhance the research. Data analysis is done through the thematic network technique. Plantation, cleanliness, waste reduction, and energy conservation are the environmental aspects of CSR as regarded by employees. In addition, perceived CSR shapes pro-environmental behaviour via environmental knowledge and awareness, eco-civic sense, environmental values, personality traits, religious perspective, and perceived organisational support for the environment. This study provides original additions to the CSR literature by suggesting eco-civic sensibility and religious perspective as new CSR drivers for pro-environmental conduct. Incorporating stakeholder salience into the context of the present study also advances CSR research. The findings are also valuable for management to make the CSR agenda of business schools more strategic, comprehensive, and centred on the priorities of salient stakeholders.

CEO’s characteristics, integrated reporting and performance in UK

PurposeIntegrated reporting (IR) is the latest development in corporate reporting. It is a tool capable of better representing the ability of companies to create value over time. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the CEO’s characteristics (age, gender, education and experience) and firm performance through a mediating variable, namely, IR.Design/methodology/approachThis study is a quantitative research and used panel data. Based on a sample of 449 UK firms or using a sample of 449 UK companies between 2010 and 2020 on STATA17 and structural equation model was used to analyze data and test hypotheses.FindingsThe results show that IR has only indirect mediation on the relationship between CEO’s characteristics and firm performance but mediates the relationship between CEO experience and performance in a complementary manner.Originality/valueThis article is motivated by the low number of works in the context about the corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues. It makes an important contribution to the academic literature by adding to the limited body of research on CEO’s characteristics, IR and firm performance. This study focuses primarily on the importance of integrated reporting in UK.

Capital Structure and Its Determinants—A Comparison of European Top-Rated CSR and Other Companies

Corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethics, and sustainability have become an inseparable part of the discourse of modern business. Applying linear regression and comparison of intervals of beta-coefficients, we focused on the mediating role of CSR in the relations between capital structure and its determinants. Examining the sample of European large caps, we observed that CSR companies are significantly more leveraged than non-CSR ones. The influence of the corporate income tax rate and depreciation and amortization on leverage does not differ significantly between CSR and non-CSR companies. Moreover, tax shields seem to be insignificant for both CSR and non-CSR companies. However, we should stress that, for depreciation and amortization, the beta coefficient has a different significance in the model of CSR companies, compared to the model of non-CSR companies. Also, the difference between the models regarding the relations of leverage and asset tangibility is worth noting. Non-CSR companies with a higher proportion of fixed assets have lower leverage. This result was not confirmed for CSR companies. The hypothesis that CSR replaces the role of collateral cannot be confirmed. Available cash influences leverage negatively in both models, supporting the pecking-order theory. This result is much stronger for non-CSR companies compared to CSR ones. This study found fewer statistically significant differences between CSR and non-CSR companies regarding capital structure determinants than were expected.

Sustainability (Is Not) in the Boardroom: Evidence and Implications of Attentional Voids

Strategic leadership and corporate governance scholars have long been interested in how boards of directors make decisions pertaining to important strategic issues that can have a material impact on their organizations. To date, however, research on board decision-making, especially as it relates to issues of corporate social responsibility (CSR), environmental management, or sustainability, has concentrated almost exclusively on structural, demographic, or ownership factors of boards and their impact on various aspects of corporate social or environmental performance. Even still, many reputable corporations with exemplary corporate governance structures continue to make questionable strategic decisions with regards to environmental sustainability. As such, this research seeks to look into the “black box” of corporate governance to understand exactly how boards of directors are dealing (or not) with issues related to environmental sustainability. To do so, we conducted a series of qualitative interviews with directors and were surprised to find that social and environmental sustainability was simply not debated in the boardroom. Using an attention-based view of the firms (ABV), we present a process-based model that explains this phenomenon and introduce the new construct of attentional voids so as to contribute to our understanding of governing for social and environmental sustainability.

THE IMPACT OF ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT ON FIRM VALUE IN BANKING SECTOR OF INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, AND THAILAND

The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of disclosure on enterprise risk management (ERM), corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainability reports (SR) on firm value. Data for this research is taken from financial reports, annualreports, and reports issued by firms. In this study, the sample used was banking firms listed on Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand Stock Exchanges from 2019-2020. Sampling using purposive sampling technique with four criteria. Firms that meet these criteria are 36 Indonesian firms, 10 Malaysian firms, and 8 Thai firms. The method of data analysis is multiple regression analysis using the Eviews software. The results show that Enterprise Risk Management positively influences firm value. Meanwhile, the Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Report has no effecton banking firm's value. The results of this study can be used as a reference for potential investors to know the condition of each company they want to invest in.

FRAMEWORK OF ISLAMIC CONSUMER BEHAVIOR: EXPLORING THE FOUNDATION OF ISLAMIC CONSUMER BEHAVIOR AND MOTIVATION

This research paper critically evaluates the key concepts in consumer behavior such as needs, wants, consumerism, self-concept and motivation from Islamic perspective and propose Islamic framework to understand consumer buying behavior. The study uses an integrative review method to synthesize and summarizing the previous literature related to the phenomenon. The content/critical analysis of literature across multiple studies is conducted to summarize and draw the conclusion. The sources reviewed in the paper include holy verses from Quran & Hadith (prophetic narration), peer-reviewed journal articles and other online resources. Findings from content analysis reveals that process of needs and wants satisfaction in Islam is mainly governed by Islamic values, traditions, and principles contrary to rational economic theory. Consumption and satisfaction are broadly lay down on the principles and values derived from Islamic traditions (Quran and Hadith) which are up to some extent contrary to the modern conception of commoditization culture. However, Islamic consumption is meaningful and linked with greater purpose such as well-being, responsibility, moderation, and conservation of resources which equates with the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.

Board gender diversity, corporate social commitment and sustainability

AbstractBuilding a sustainable organization is one of the most important goals in business. To build sustainability, firms need to have strong social commitment to establish value‐creating stakeholder relationships. As boards of directors play a critical role in setting strategy, providing management oversight and monitoring, it is also their responsibility to ensure the firm's commitment to its social responsibilities. With the right composition, boards can be effective in driving long‐term vision and creating good stakeholder relationships, contributing to firms' social capital. In this paper, we analyze board characteristics of publicly listed US firms and find evidence that support the diversity theory. In particular, that board gender diversity (proportion of female directors) is positively associated with firms' social commitment to human rights, product responsibility, and their community and workforce, evidencing female directors' contribution to firms' sustainability. To ensure the robustness of our analysis, we conduct additional analyses including propensity score matching, entropy balancing, and instrumental‐variable analysis.

Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability Governance and Sustainable Performance: A Preliminary Insight

This conceptual paper aims to investigate corporate social responsibility (CSR) practises in the tourism sector. Drawing on the existing literature this study conceptualises the linkage between CSR, sustainability governance, and sustainable performance. Moreover, this study conceptualises three sub-dimensions of CSR. The integration of CSR in the tourism sector is significant and novel. An analytical review is conducted to present conceptual linkage and research implications. The finding implies that CSR positively influences the sustainable performance of organisations and sustainable governance plays a mediating role between relationships. This study provides important implications that help tourism industry practitioners to realise the significance of reducing environmental and social problems, which cause by tourism activities. Further, this study obtains support from institutional theory to explain the relationships of governance mechanism and CSR that leads to economic performance as well as create value for nature and the local community. Additionally, the future direction of research is provided that highlights some important avenues in the sustainability field.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSBILITY AND ITS SUSTAINIBILITY

Sustainability definitely has become a hot topic in recent years. Clearly, it is a subject that is not going away and whose importance in the corporate world is gaining currency. The notion of “doing well by doing good” is moving incrementally into mainstream business practice. In what might be considered a sea change, some very important customers now want know about their sustainability efforts, as do a growing number of consumers. This paper provides an overview on the concepts and definitions of Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and Corporate sustainability (CS). It is based on historical perspectives, impact of changing contexts and situations show that "one solution fits all"-definition for CS(R) should be abandoned, accepting various and more specific definitions matching the development, awareness and ambition levels of organizations And while it's hard to tell whether consumers are leading or following when it comes to the importance of sustainability, it's definitely on their radar. Business success increasingly is going to depend upon clear view to their impact on future generations. For this, and other valid reasons, need to arrive at a practical, workable model of sustainability KEY WORDS- Sustanibility, incremental, corporate, Future generation Rader, Conducting Operation.

The Impact of Enterprise Risk Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Sustainability Report on Firm Value in Banking Sector of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand

The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of disclosure on enterprise risk management (ERM), corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainability reports (SR) on firm value. Data for this research is taken from financial reports, annual reports and reports issued by firms. In this study, the sample used was banking firms listed on Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand stock exchanges from 2019-2020. Sampling using purposive sampling technique with four criteria. Firms that meet these criteria are 36 Indonesian firms, 10 Malaysian firms and 8 Thai firms. The method of data analysis is multiple regression analysis using the Eviews software. The results show that enterprise risk management positively influences firm value. Meanwhile, the corporate social responsibility and sustainability report has no effect on the banking firm’s value. The results of this study can be used as a reference for potential investors to know the condition of each company they want to invest in.

The link between corporate governance, corporate social sustainability and credit risk of Islamic bonds

PurposeMotivated by lack of empirical research on sukuk (Islamic bonds) defaults and factors influencing the credit risk in sukuk industry, the study investigates the impact of corporate governance (CG) practices and corporate social sustainability (CS) disclosures on default risk of Islamic bonds in an emerging market.Design/methodology/approachIn the Malaysian context the authors use generalized method of moments (GMM) to examine the mitigating effect of CG structure and CS disclosures on distance to default (DD) of sukuk issuers.FindingsThe results show that although both CG and CS have a significant and positive relationship with distance to default, the contribution of CS to augment DD is higher. Moreover, different CG variables have a varied relationship with distance to default, while the association is positive for all three pillars of CS, videlicet economic, social and environmental sustainability.Practical implicationsThe findings of the study hold important implications for issuers, subscribers and regulators in the sukuk industry.Originality/valueLimited research investigates the relationship between CG, CS and default risk of Islamic bonds. In light of this, the study attempts to fill the theoretical void in literature by examining the relationship among the underlying variables.

Mapping the corporate governance scholarship: Current state and future directions

AbstractResearch Question/IssuesWe conduct a comprehensive analysis of all scholarly publications in the field of corporate governance (CG) since the Enron scandal of 2001. Using bibliometric methods, we identify prominent themes that have served as the foundation of CG research, prominent topics in the field along with their temporal developments, and recent trends in CG research. In addition, we identify the authors and journals that have had the biggest impact in the field.Research Findings/InsightsWe document that the number of annual publications in CG has increased by a factor of eight since the early 2000s, with research articles being published in a wide variety of general interest journals, as well as in outlets specialized in the field of CG. We identify six research themes as the foundation of CG research: the theoretical foundations of CG, ownership, CG mechanisms and firm outcomes, disclosures, the board of directors, and family firms. We further find 19 major bibliographic keyword clusters that have been explored by researchers in the past 20 years. Research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability, governance mechanisms, control mechanisms and disclosures, board diversity, CG in family firms, and CG in the Chinese context are the most dynamic areas of research in recent years.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsWe systematically analyze the literature on CG and outline theoretical foundations, structuring academic contributions by keyword clusters. Links between keyword clusters as well as the most dynamic research areas are identified. The analysis provides guidance for researchers regarding suitable outlets for the different thematic clusters and helps as a basis to identify research opportunities.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsWe document growing research interest in the field of CSR and sustainability. The growing body of literature in these areas can inform CG and CSR policies in the future. Our comprehensive bibliographic analysis provides an overview of CG research themes across research disciplines and streams of the literature.