Are corporate social responsibility reports informative? Evidence from textual analysis of banks in China

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry C. Ho ◽  
Tinghsuan chen ◽  
Jia-Jin Wu
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Textual Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Contributions ◽  
Regulatory Bodies ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeThe authors investigate the association of the constructed corporate social responsibility (CSR) measures with the banks’ profitability, social contributions and CSR spending as well as the market reaction to CSR spending.Design/methodology/approachUsing textual analysis of the CSR reports of banks listed on the Chinese market, the authors construct CSR measures in six domains: business, environment, human rights, corporate governance, charity and social capital. Our textual-based CSR measures contain substantial and valuable information beyond what Rankins CSR ratings offer.FindingsThe findings suggest that banks with stronger engagements and interests in the business-related CSR domain experience higher profitability, while those that are more committed to the corporate governance and charity-related domains create larger social contributions. Banks tend to incur higher CSR spending when they are more active in corporate governance. Although the stock market reacts positively to CSR expenditures, the reaction is less favorable for banks with CSR expenditures above the industry norm.Practical implicationsThis study offers insights to policymakers of the regulatory bodies and the banks in China. To enhance the financial safety and soundness of the banking system, the regulatory bodies should encourage banks to strategically allocate corporate resources to achieve higher CSR ratings and engage more business-related CSR activities. To create larger social values, bank management should invest more in philanthropic CSR initiatives such as corporate governance and charity activities. To pursue higher corporate profits, they should engage more in self-centered business-related CSR activities. However, according to the reaction of the market, they should not over-invest in CSR activities.Originality/valueWhile the use of textual analysis to evaluate CSR disclosure has recently emerged in the literature, few studies focus on banks in China. Using the term frequency–inverse data frequency (TF-IDF) method, the authors constructed a score for each of the six CSR domains: business (BUS), environment (ENV), human rights (HR), corporate governance (GOV), charity (CHY) and social capital (SCAP). To the best of our knowledge, no studies have adopted the textual approach to evaluate social reporting quality and CSR activities in the context of the banking industry in China.

Do board directors and good corporate governance improve integrated reporting quality? The moderating effect of CSR: an empirical analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamel Chouaibi ◽  
Saida Boulhouchet ◽  
Raghad Almallah ◽  
Yamina Chouaibi
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Board Diversity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Board Characteristics ◽  
Good Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeThis paper targets to shed light on the relationship between board characteristics, good corporate governance and the integrated reporting quality (IRQ) and even if this relationship is moderated by the corporate social responsibility.Design/methodology/approachData from a sample of 185 European firms selected from STOXX 600 Index between 2010 and 2019 are used to test the model using panel data and multiple regression. This paper is motivated by using panel data estimated feasible generalized least squares method. A multiple regression model is used to analyze the moderating effect of the corporate social responsibility on the association between board characteristics, good corporate governance and the IRQ.FindingsConsistent with the expectations, the results showed that there is a positive relationship between board independence, board diversity, good corporate governance and IRQ. Furthermore, the findings suggest that moderating effect positively affects the relationship between the board characteristics, good corporate governance and IRQ.Practical implicationsThe results of this study have an impact on policymakers. The presence of women and independent members of the board should be encouraged. This has a positive effect on the availability of high-quality information, able to drive investment levels and stakeholder participation.Originality/valueThis study supports the existing literature. First, it expands the scientific debate on the topic of integrated reporting (IR). Second, it extends the scope of agency theory, which is rarely used to explain IR-related phenomena. This study is one of the first to examine the moderating effect of corporate social responsibility on the association between a set of governance characteristics (i.e. Board independence and board diversity) and integrated reporting adoption.

Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility interface: a case study of private equity

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 703-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virgo Süsi ◽  
Krista Jaakson
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Private Equity ◽  
Resource Dependence Theory ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to explore why private equity (PE) cares about corporate social responsibility (CSR) of its investees given their relatively short investment time-horizon and how it designs corporate governance (CG) bundle to achieve both financial and CSR goals of the private firms it invests in. Design/methodology/approach Case study design is applied to get deeper insights on the why and how questions posed. Analysis is based on triangulation of secondary data and in-depth interviews with both PE and their investee firms. Findings The authors find that long-term sustainability supported by CSR increases firm value. They also outline specific CG bundle that the PE uses to achieve both its financial and CSR goals. CG mechanisms appeared to reflect agency theory, but even more resource dependence theory. Practical implications The outlined CG bundle could be used as a template for all types of private firm owners to improve both financial and CSR performance of the firm. Originality/value The paper adds to fragmented area of CG and CSR interface. The authors specifically focus on several under-researched contexts of this interface: private small and medium size firms (SMEs), emerging markets and PE investors.

Is corporate governance relevant to the quality of corporate social responsibility disclosure in large European companies?

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Adel ◽  
Mostaq M. Hussain ◽  
Ehab K.A. Mohamed ◽  
Mohamed A.K. Basuony
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to report on the quality of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in S&P Europe 350 companies. The paper also examines the impact of corporate governance structure and other firm-specific characteristics on the quality of CSR disclosure in European companies. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a disclosure index adopted from Jizi et al. (2014). Moreover, the paper contributes to the CSR disclosure literature by developing a new index that includes all the aspects introduced by the Global Reporting Initiative version 4.The data of CSR reporting are manually collected from the firms’ reports. The population and sample of this study are related to 350 companies operating in 16 European countries. Tobit regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses. Findings The results reveal that directors’ ownership, the presence of a CSR committee and firm size positively affect the quality of CSR reporting. Further testing of the independent variables on each CSR sub-category is made. The CSR sub-categories used are, namely, community involvement, employees, environment, social product and service quality, supply chain sustainability and business ethics. The presence of a sustainability committee inside the company is the only factor that shows a strong positive effect on the disclosure of every CSR sub-category and the CSR inclusive index. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this research are that it focuses exclusively on the effect of the internal corporate mechanisms on the quality of CSR reporting; disregarding the economic, institutional, political and cultural factors that can play a role in influencing sustainability reporting of the companies. Practical implications Better CSR disclosure leads to the firm having a better image in the society; this, in turn, has implications on firm performance, attracting funds, as well as recruiting and retaining high profile employees. Stakeholders are placing cumulative significance to corporate transparency particularly in the area of CSR. Managers should exert more efforts into not only improving the disclosure of the various facts of CSR but also into using the various media available for disclosure. Companies should take the initiative of establishing a CSR committee to ensure effective formation and implementation of CSR policies and disclosure of CSR activities. Social implications The CRS research itself bears the merit of social implications. Moreover, the findings of this research pave the way for future researches to examine the effect of the adoption of global CSR initiatives and frameworks on the quality of CSR reporting. Originality/value This paper contributes to the CSR disclosure literature by developing a new index that includes all the aspects of CSR and exploring the relation between the rarely explored “presence of sustainability committee” and CSR disclosure, as well as testing a vast number of CSR sub-categories that is not extensively covered in previous studies. Moreover, the paper covers a large sample of companies across 16 European countries, in terms of their stand-alone sustainability reports, dedicated chapters of CSR in annual reports, integrated reports, website CSR information and any attachments/links provided on the websites for further CSR documents, brochures or data sheets.

Perceptions of corporate social responsibility amongst immigrant entrepreneurs

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fara Azmat ◽  
Ambika Zutshi
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Immigrant Entrepreneurs ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the understanding of the term corporate social responsibility (CSR) by Sri Lankan immigrant entrepreneurs in Australia. It also seeks to investigate the importance the entrepreneurs place on CSR, their understanding of stakeholders, the types of CSR activities undertaken by them, and the issue of social capital.Design/methodology/approachData were collected through in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with Sri Lankan entrepreneurs based in Victoria, Australia.FindingsThe interviewees were aware of the term CSR but, nevertheless, had different interpretations of its meaning. However, CSR was considered important and all the interviewees were, in some way, involved in CSR activities and also had a good understanding of the importance of their stakeholders. Findings also highlighted the significance attached to social capital by the entrepreneurs such as informal relationships and trustworthiness which build the intangible attributes of CSR. The present findings can be attributed to immigrant entrepreneurs behaving partly to adapt to the host country, by changing their beliefs, values, traditions and partly by being influenced by their home country culture as found in the extended part of this current study.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper addresses gaps in the fields of both CSR and immigrant entrepreneurship literature. However, the small sample size is a limitation and further research is required in order to generalize the findings.Originality/valueIt is important to have an understanding of the interpretation of social responsibility amongst immigrant entrepreneurs. Despite the steadily growing number of Sri Lankan immigrant entrepreneurs and their potential impact on the Victorian and Australian socio‐economic context, this area remains under‐researched. This paper addresses this gap in the literature and makes an attempt to provide insight into this area that can be used as a catalyst for future research.

scholarly journals Ownership types, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility disclosures

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahem Alshbili ◽  
Ahmed A. Elamer ◽  
Eshani Beddewela
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
Fragile States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Ownership Types

Purpose This study aims to examine the extent to which corporate governance structures and ownership types are associated with the level of corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRD) in a developing country. Design/methodology/approach Multiple regression techniques are used to estimate the effect of corporate governance structures and ownership types on CSRD using a sample of Libyan oil and gas companies between 2009 and 2013. Findings First, the study results suggest that although the level of CSRD in Libya is low in comparison to its western counterparts, ownership factors have a significant positive influence on CSRD. Second, the authors find board meetings to have a positive impact on CSRD. However, the authors fail to find any significant effect of board size and presence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) committees on CSRD. Overall, the results support prior theoretical evidence that pressures exerted by the government and external stakeholders have a considerable influence in promoting firm-level CSRD activities, specifically as a legitimising mechanism in fragile states. Research limitations/implications First, this study is based on the annual reports, and it did not examine any other reports or other mass communication mechanism that companies’ management may use to disclose CSR information. Future studies might consider disclosures in other channels, if any, such as the internet, CSR reports, etc. Additionally, this study adopts the neo-institutional theory perspective. Future studies might integrate multi-theoretical lenses to offer a richer basis for understanding and explaining CSRD determinants. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by first providing additional evidence for existing studies, which suggest that on average, better-governed companies are more liable to follow a more socially responsible agenda than poorly governed companies as a legitimising mechanism in fragile states. Also, this study overcomes a major weakness in existing Libyan studies, which have mainly used descriptive data.

Corporate governance and financial characteristic effects on the extent of corporate social responsibility disclosure

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grigoris Giannarakis
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Chief Executive ◽  
Financial Leverage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Financial Characteristics ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and financial characteristics and the extent of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure in the USA. These corporate governance and financial characteristics are the board meetings, average age of board members, presence of women on the board, the board’s size, chief executive officer duality, financial leverage, profitability, company’s size, board composition and board’s commitment to CSR. Design/methodology/approach – The sample consists of 100 companies from the Fortune 500 list for 2011. The environmental, social and governance disclosure score calculated by Bloomberg is used as a proxy for the extent of CSR disclosure. A multiple linear regression was incorporated to investigate the association of corporate characteristics with CSR disclosure. Findings – Results indicate that the company’s size, the board commitment to CSR and profitability were found to be positively associated with the extent of CSR disclosure, while financial leverage is related negatively with the extent of CSR disclosure. Research limitations/implications – The research is based only on the presence or absence of CSR items in CSR disclosure, and it ignores the quality dimension which can lead to misinterpretation. The results should not be generalized as the sample was based on US companies for 2011. Originality/value – The study assists stakeholders to identify US companies through the extent of CSR disclosures which contributes to the understanding of determinants of CSR disclosure to improve the implementation of disclosure guidelines.

Embedding corporate governance and corporate social responsibility in emerging countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigufta Hena Uzma
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Emerging Countries ◽  
Corporate Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Enforcement ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to examine how the governance structure incorporates corporate social responsibility (CSR) into corporate behaviour in the perspective of the external environment within emerging countries. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the various CSR legislations enacted in the global context and in particular reference to the Indian Companies Act 2013. Findings The embedded relationship between CSR and corporate governance (CG) is an outcome of extensive dimensions such as ownership structure, stakeholder approach and other external environmental factors such as the government regulations and legislation, legal enforcement and corporate disclosure culture. Originality/value The enactment of the Companies Act 2013 in India has infused a new direction for the corporations in implementing CSR and CG practices. This paper throws light on the coverage of the Companies Act 2013 and various challenges faced by the companies in the applicability of the CSR and CG framework in the Indian context.

Corporate social responsibility, governance and stakeholders: a bank in the upbeat of the crisis

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Jan de Graaf
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Responsibilities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
A Company

Purpose Using the global financial crisis as a critical event and based on institutional theory and stakeholder theory, this paper aims to explore the relationship between corporate governance and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The question is how stakeholders can influence corporate responses to societal change by using their position in the governance structure. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on a historical analysis of data collected mainly between 2002 and 2004. The historical perspective enables an understanding of the response of the company to environmental changes. Findings The approach enables researchers to relate the normative component of CSR to specific governance mechanisms. These governance mechanisms are specified in direct and indirect influence pathways. Historical data shed light on how, in the upbeat of the crisis, stakeholders have influenced the principles and policies of the ING Group, a Dutch financial company. Research limitations/implications The paper suggests that stakeholders influence principles – normative assumptions that guide corporate decisions – mainly in dialogue-based meetings (direct influence pathways). Companies are made accountable in indirect influence pathways such as regulations. The author also demonstrates that a historical approach enables an understanding of long-term historical developments and the linking of corporate policies to the normative assumptions of stakeholders. Practical implications If stakeholders wish to assess the social responsibility of a company, then they should assess the governance structure in relation to the principles and policies. The power structure within a company and that within the institutional framework in which the company operates (the governance system) strongly influences how a company executes its social responsibilities. Social implications The paper demonstrates how stakeholders can use the governance structure to influence a bank. If society – or a specific group in society – wants banks to play a different role, this paper points to what could be the levers of change in the governance system and the governance structure. Originality/value Insights into the complex relationship between corporate governance and the processes in which the social responsibilities of a company are developed.

Disclosure of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its implications on company value as a result of the impact of corporate governance and profitability

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-354
Author(s):  
Kamaliah Kamaliah
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of corporate governance and corporate profitability on firm value with corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure as the intervening variable. Design/methodology/approach The population of this study was all companies listed in the LQ 45 Index group in the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2013-2014. The inferential statistics used in this study applied the partial least square (PLS) based structural equation model (SEM) method with the assistance of SmartPLS 2.0. The PLS method was selected based on the consideration that there was a construct formed with reflective indicators in this study. Findings From the results of this study, it can be concluded that corporate governance does not have any effect on CSR disclosure, profitability of company has an effect on CSR disclosure, CSR disclosure has an effect on firm value. In addition, CSR disclosure does not mediate the effect of on firm value. These results showed that corporate governance can have an effect on firm value directly, and there is no role of CSR disclosure in mediating the effect of corporate governance on firm value, and profitability of company has an effect on firm value through CSR disclosure. Originality/value The originality of this research is on the reason that many studies that have been conducted still indicated the inconsistency in the results and diversity of the indicators, so that a similar research was conducted by involving the indicators used for measuring the corporate governance variable, which were the proportion of independent commissioners and audit committee. Meanwhile, for the profitability variable, return on assets and return on equity were used as the indicators.

scholarly journals Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility synergies: evidence from New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashid Zaman ◽  
Muhammad Nadeem ◽  
Mariela Carvajal
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Responsible Business Practices ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to provide exploratory evidence on corporate governance (CG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) interfaces. Although there remains a voluminous literature on CG and CSR, very little effort has been put forward to explore the nature of this relationship. Design/methodology/approach Using interviews with Senior Executives of New Zealand Stock Exchange listed firms, this research assesses CG and CSR practices, identifies barriers for CG and CSR adoption and investigates the nature of the relationship between CG and CSR. Findings The results indicate a moderate level of CG and CSR practices, with a lack of resources and cost-time balance as common barriers for CG and CSR adoption. However, despite these barriers, we note that the majority of executives appreciate the increasing convergence between CG and CSR, and believe that a more robust CG framework will lead to more sustainable CSR practices. Originality/value These findings have important implications for managers and policymakers interested in understanding the CG-CSR nexus and promoting responsible business practices.

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