Community Institutions and Initial Diffusion of Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in China's Banking Industry

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junxiu Sun ◽  
Feng Wang ◽  
Fanghua Wang ◽  
Haitao Yin
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Banking Industry ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Community Institutions ◽  
Early Adoption ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACTThe existing literature does not provide adequate insight into the initial diffusion of new management practices, especially those that yield no immediate economic benefits, and have not yet gained legitimacy. We study how firms’ local institutional environments influence early adoption behavior, examining the spread of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports in China's banking industry from 2006 to 2011. We find that banks are more likely to be first movers of CSR reporting if they operate in communities where more companies publish CSR reports or where there are guidelines encouraging CSR reporting, and the impacts of these two institutional factors are further moderated by the length of time that banks have operated in communities. Our study highlights the usefulness of institutional theory in understanding the initial adoption of new management practices, when the organizational field is defined as a geographic community instead of an industry sector and its supply chain.

The impact of readability of corporate social responsibility information on credibility as perceived by generalist versus specialist readers

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 570-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Hoozée ◽  
Sophie Maussen ◽  
Perry Vangronsveld
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Perceived Credibility ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose This paper aims to study the impact of readability of corporate social responsibility (CSR) information on its credibility as perceived by generalist versus specialist readers. It is hypothesized that the readability-credibility effect will be contingent on reader specialization. Design/methodology/approach To test the hypothesis, a quasi-experiment with a 2 (readability) × 2 (reader specialization) design was conducted. Findings Overall, the results lead to the conclusion that using plain language in CSR disclosures may be beneficial for their credibility as perceived by generalist readers thanks to their higher perceived truthfulness (one specific sub-dimension of credibility). Specialist readers’ perceived credibility, on the other hand, is not influenced by the enhanced readability resulting from plain language. Research limitations/implications Student participants were used. The results may not be generalizable to practitioners with different levels of exposure to, familiarity with, and understanding of CSR disclosures. Practical implications Given the lack of credibility of CSR disclosures, insight into perceived credibility antecedents is important. This study may be considered as a first step toward informing reporting standards regarding the inclusion of more detailed guidance on how corporations should formulate their CSR information to increase its perceived credibility. Originality/value The results suggest that enhanced readability may improve the potential of CSR reports as legitimacy tools for generalist readers. The direct examination of readers complements prior studies on CSR reporting quality and the language used in CSR disclosures.

scholarly journals Convergence or Disparity? A Cross-Country Analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting for Banking Industry in Nordic Countries and China

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824402110299
Author(s):  
Minghui Yang ◽  
Petra Maresova ◽  
Ahsan Akbar ◽  
Paulo Bento ◽  
Weixi Liu
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Political Institutions ◽  
Banking Industry ◽  
Nordic Countries ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting ◽  
Index Approach ◽  
Chinese Banks ◽  
Corporate Social

This research investigates the corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting for banking industry in Nordic countries and China, and compares the convergence and disparity of disclosed CSR information across these two regimes. The study encompasses a sample of eight largest commercial banks by total assets in Nordic countries and China over a 5-year period of 2013–2017. We employ a disclosure index approach to assess the contents of CSR reporting based on eight categories and a total of 60 CSR indicators. The results indicate that Nordic banks have a higher overall disclosure level of CSR information than Chinese banks, and significantly ahead of their counterparts with respect to the international commitment, and a wider coverage of addressing stakeholders’ needs. In contrast, CSR reporting in Chinese banks put greater emphasis on national public policy and philanthropic activities. Nevertheless, all sample countries share a convergence on underlining the importance of complying with applicable laws and regulations. The study findings assert that the convergence and disparity of CSR reporting across countries is relevant to pre-existing socio-political institutions the firms can rely on. This research probes into an unexplored research territory by comparing the CSR reporting between banks from a so-called Nordic business-society model and a Confucian-tradition model. Hence, it entails some important policy prescriptions for the concerned administrators and corporate practitioners in the sample countries.

The impact of ownership and board structure on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting in the Turkish banking industry

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merve Kiliç ◽  
Cemil Kuzey ◽  
Ali Uyar
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Banking Industry ◽  
Panel Data Analysis ◽  
Board Structure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The aim of this study is twofold. The first is to analyze the nature, extent and trend of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in the Turkish banking industry under five sub-themes, namely, environment, energy, human resources, products and customers and community involvement. The second is to investigate the impact of ownership and board structure on CSR reporting by the banks. Design/methodology/approach – The annual reports of the banks were examined for the period between 2008 and 2012 to analyze the CSR reporting of the banks, using content analysis and panel data analysis. Findings – The results show that CSR reporting of the banks improved during that period of time. The findings of the study also revealed that there is a significant positive effect of size, ownership diffusion, board composition and board diversity on the CSR disclosure of the banks. Originality/value – This study contributes significantly to the existing literature because the banking industry is generally excluded from the CSR studies. Further, there are few studies analyzing the effect of the ownership and board structure on the CSR disclosure. Finally, this study was conducted in a developing country with different regulations and socio-economic aspects as compared to developed countries. This study outlines important implications for regulatory bodies, organizations, the banking industry and other stakeholders.

Corporate social responsibility reporting and stakeholder management in an emerging market: Perspective of CSR executives

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-81
Author(s):  
Amy Bonuedi ◽  
Daniel Frimpong Ofori ◽  
Samuel Nana Yaw Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Stakeholder Management ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting and stakeholder management practices are influenced by contextual issues (Abreu, Castro, Soares, & Filho, 2012; Tilt, 2016). This current study examines the CSR reporting and stakeholder management practices, focusing on the perspective of CSR executives in the context of a developing country. A qualitative methodological approach was used for the study, where CSR executives of firms on the Ghana Club 100 (GC 100) from 2010-2012 were interviewed. Information published in annual reports and websites of firms were also analysed. Findings show annual reports are the popular channels for CSR reporting. However, some multinational firms used both annual reports and standalone CSR reports because it is mandatory. The study established that CSR reports are used in correcting negative perceptions and stakeholder scepticism. However, the expected positive interplay between CSR reporting and stakeholder management does not hold for all groups of stakeholders. There is also very little information on the existence of mechanisms that promote the implementation of stakeholder management policies at the firm-level

scholarly journals Does Capital Market Distrust CSR Reporting? Economic Benefits in Presence of Complementary Monitoring Mechanism

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Isabel-María García-Sánchez ◽  
Jennifer Martínez-Ferrero ◽  
Tania Azevedo
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Management Decision ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Information Giving ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social

From a theoretical point of view, corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure actions have associated a large list of benefits as a result of the lower information asymmetry problems that provoke firms to enjoy better financial conditions and higher market value. However, empirically there is no unanimity in the academy about these positive impacts. In this paper, we consider that the possible discretionary decision that managers could have in the elaboration of CSR reporting implies distrust about the credibility and utility of sustainability information. In this regard, the presence of independence in boards and directors that ensure better control of management decision could moderate the relationship between the quality of CSR reports and their benefits. Independent directors, in their decision-making process, associate their personal image, reputation, and career with CSR disclosures. For an international sample of analysis, our empirical evidence supports the premise that the market only positively assesses the utility and comparability of corporate social responsibility information, giving firms a superior value when there is a complementary mechanism that guarantees information credibility.

Corporate Social Responsibility Rhetoric in Times of Crises. A Rhetorical Analysis of CSR Reports Prior to and After Major Corporate Crises

MedienJournal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-50
Author(s):  
Maria Gruber
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Rhetorical Analysis ◽  
General Motors ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting ◽  
One Year ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Corporate Crises ◽  
Corporate Crisis

Corporate Social Responsibility reporting has grown increasingly in importance for companies in terms of portraying themselves as good corporate citizens. However, when confronted with a major corporate crisis that evoked an extensive loss in stakeholders’ trust, it remained unclear, how to further deal with the need for CSR communication without presenting oneself as exceedingly hypocritical. In the course of this study, the questions of how and to what extent crises cause change in a corporation’s CSR rhetoric were addressed. Therefore, the utilization of the rhetorical dimensions of logos, ethos, pathos, cosmos and autopoiesis as well as the amount of negative disclosure in the CSR reports of the world’s leading automobile companies (Toyota, General Motors, Volkswagen) were analyzed, one year before and one year after they had maneuvered themselves into a corporate crisis. The rhetorical analysis revealed that the distinctive context of each case (including the corporations’ responsibility for the crisis) dictated the rhetorical adjustments of the CSR reporting after the crisis. Moreover, it could be shown, that when reporting on the crisis cause itself, corporations tend to apply the dimension of ethos more frequently to counter the audience’s potential perception of their hypocrisy.

scholarly journals State-Mediated Globalization Processes and the Adoption of Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Marquis ◽  
Juelin Yin ◽  
Dongning Yang
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Political Legitimacy ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting ◽  
Global Norms ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social

ABSTRACTDespite the prevalence of global diffusion, little is known about the processes by which international practices are adopted and adapted within organizations around the world. Through our qualitative research on the introduction of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting at two leading Chinese companies, we identify a unique set of political mechanisms that we labelstate-mediated globalization, whereby powerful nation-state actors influence the ways in which corporations adopt and adapt global norms and practices. We find that businesses’ needs for political legitimacy from a key stakeholder, in this case the government, leads them to deviate systematically from the global practice in bothformandcontent. These intentional practice adaptations are then legitimized by the government to createinternationalization toolsandlocalized standardsto aid adoption by other organizations. Our findings illustrate previously unidentified mechanisms by which powerful stakeholders such as the Chinese government may mediate, and thereby direct, the ways in which corporations adopt and adapt global CSR practices. Contributions to understanding the political processes of institutional translation in the context of globalization are discussed.

Mandatory corporate social responsibility in India: reporting reality, issues and way forward

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pawan Taneja ◽  
Ameeta Jain ◽  
Mahesh Joshi ◽  
Monika Kansal
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Mandatory Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Reporting Requirements ◽  
Expectation Gap ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Since 2013, the Indian Companies Act Section 135 has mandated corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting by Indian central public sector enterprises (CPSEs). CSR reporting is regulated by multiple Government of India ministerial agencies, each requiring different formats and often different data. This study aims to understand the impact of these multiple regulatory bodies on CSR reporting by Indian CPSEs; evaluate the expectation gap between regulators and the regulated; and investigate the compliance burden on CPSEs. Design/methodology/approach An interview-based approach was adopted to evaluate the perspectives of both regulators and regulated CPSEs on the impact of the new regulations on CSR reporting quality. The authors use the lens of institutional theory to analyse the findings. Findings Driven by coercive institutional pressures, CPSEs are overburdened with myriad reporting requirements, which significantly negatively impact CPSEs’ financial and human resources and the quality of CSR activity and reports. It is difficult for CPSEs to assess the actual impact of their CSR activities due to overlapping with activities of the government/other institutions. The perceptions of regulators and the regulated are divergent: the regulators expect CPSEs to select more impactful CSR projects to comply with mandatory reporting requirements. Originality/value The findings of this study emphasise the need for meaningful dialogue between regulators and the regulated to reduce the expectation gap and establish a single regulatory authority that will ensure that the letter and spirit of the law are followed in practice and not just according to a tick-box approach.

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