Multinational companies and the corporate social responsibility at home: the stakeholder approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 2383-2400
Author(s):  
Eun Woo Kim ◽  
Soonkyoo Choe ◽  
Jooyoung Kwak

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to integrate stakeholder and international business (IB) theories to explore the relationship between the international diversification of emerging-market multinational corporations (EMNCs) and corporate social performance (CSP) in their home markets. While the IB literature generally assumes a positive effect from international diversification on CSP as a result of global learning, the study aims at investigating the complicated effects in the link to the stakeholder theory. Design/methodology/approach This paper used combined sources of public survey data (corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the Korean firms) and archival data (foreign direct investment and corporate data). A truncated regression is used for statistical model. Findings International diversification helps MNCs to enhance CSP in their home countries. Thus, EMNCs can develop CSR capabilities at the global level, thereby benefiting domestic stakeholders. Also, significant investment in domestic research and development (R&D) and advertising negatively moderates the relationship between international diversification and domestic CSP. In this regard, expanding R&D and advertising facilitates global competitiveness. Moreover, as international diversification increases, EMNCs may redirect resources and re-orient CSR policies toward foreign stakeholders. Consequently, the relationship between international diversification and domestic CSP weaken. Practical implications Acceleration in international diversification may weaken domestic CSP, which arises from transformation into the global enterprises. Originality/value The study highlights the difficulties of EMNCs in serving domestic stakeholders effectively when their businesses are increasingly internationalized.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eswaran Velayutham ◽  
Vijayakumaran Ratnam

Purpose This paper aims to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and shareholder wealth arising from announcement returns of security issuance from a frontier market. It also explores the role of business group affiliation (BGA) on this relationship. Design/methodology/approach The study uses short-term scenarios to examine the link between CSR and shareholder wealth using the event study methodology which helps us mitigate the reverse causality problems related to studies of the relationship between CSR and firm value. Abnormal returns surrounding the security issue announcements were generated using the market model. Findings This paper finds that security issuers with high CSR scores are associated with higher shareholder value. However, this paper finds that CSR activities of security issuers with BGA are value-destroying which is consistent with the agency perspective of CSR. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to only one nascent market, namely the Colombo Stock Exchange. Originality/value This study documents that CSR and BGA are important determinants, among others, of stock price reactions to security offerings in emerging markets.


2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunho Cho ◽  
Sungbin Chun ◽  
Donseung Choi

We examine how multinational corporations (MNC) international diversification (ID) is related to their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in the domestic market. We also investigate whether corporate governance, specifically the conglomerate (chaebol) structure, affects the relationship between ID and CSR activities in the domestic market. We perform empirical analysis using a sample of 606 firm-year observations of Korean-listed manufacturing MNCs from 2005 to 2010. We find that ID is negatively associated with CSR, and that this relationship is stronger for chaebol firms. These results are robust after controlling for various factors that affect measurements of ID. Our findings suggest that ID related to market diversification through exports and foreign affiliates appears to push MNCs to perform fewer CSR activities in the domestic market. Our findings also indicate that the effect of chaebol firms on the relationship between ID and CSR is greater than that of non-chaebol firms in Korean market. Our study contributes to the ID and CSR literature as the first study to provide empirical evidence on the association between ID and CSR activities in the domestic market for Korean firms using three aspects of ID measurement. Given that empirical evidence on this issue is very limited, our findings have implications for academics, practitioners, and policymakers in understanding the relationship between ID and CSR strategy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hazar Ben Barka ◽  
Ali Dardour

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss a research model that presents three metrics of corporate social performance (CSP): board interlocks, director’s profile and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach – Based on social network theories, the authors argue the possible relationships between the three variables. The authors conduct the study on 255 directorships in the boards of 20 listed companies in France, which participate in Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for 2010. Findings – The results show that director’s background and nationality diversity in the board are the most relevant attributes to discerning firms with high CSR scores. However, the relationship between board interlocks and CSR is not consistent. Some explanations are reported and discussed. Research limitations/implications – The research contributes to recognize the most influential variables in board composition for firms with high CSR scores, although it is based on a conceptual development and an explorative analysis. It could constitute the basis for future research which integrates modeling and multivariate analysis. Practical implications – Diversity in the board could be an effective tool to guide management for more CSR decisions. Social implications – The paper highlights the importance of diversifying the recruitment base when integrating new board members. This implies opening board networks to new profiles, in order to better meet stakeholders’ expectations regarding CSR. Originality/value – The paper contributes to board literature by highlighting the importance of combining individual attributes (director) with corporate ones (board of directors) to better assess the role of board of directors in the adoption of CSR’ practices.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdi Salehi ◽  
Mahmoud Lari DashtBayaz ◽  
Sohila Khorashadizadeh

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) expenditures and firm financial performance in an emerging market. Design/methodology/approach The authors examine the hypotheses by performing panel data analysis on a sample of 159 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange during 2010–2015. Findings The findings suggest that the investment in CSR initiatives is significantly and positively associated with firm financial performance as proxied by changes in return on assets. Moreover, the findings confirm a positive and significant association between CSR expenditures and firm financial performance as proxied by both the future changes in return on assets and the future changes in operating cash flows scaled by total assets. Originality/value The present study has examined the relationship between CSR and firm financial performance in a country where, to the authors’ knowledge as in most other developing markets, such a relationship has not been a subject of empirical research. Besides, the use of a three-dimensional measure of financial performance, primarily considering research undertaken in an emerging market, as a valuable contribution may be observed.


2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 295-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicente Lima Crisóstomo ◽  
Fátima de Souza Freire ◽  
Felipe Cortes de Vasconcellos

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm performance, taking into account firm value and financial accounting performance, in an emerging market – Brazil.Design/methodology/approachContent analysis was conducted to extract data from two different sources, one relative to CSR data and another that provided financial data. CSR indexes and financial performance measures were calculated to allow the estimation of regression analysis conducted to examine the relationship between CSR and performance.FindingsThe results indicate that CSR is value destroying in Brazil since a significant negative correlation between CSR and firm value was found. Additionally, a neutral relationship characterises the mutual effect between CSR and financial accounting performance.Originality/valueThe study has examined the relationship between CSR and firm performance in a country where, as in most other non‐developed markets, such a relationship has not been an object of research. Besides, the use of a three dimensional measure of CSR, mainly considering research undertaken in an emerging market, as a valuable contribution may be observed.


Author(s):  
Carmen Paola Padilla-Lozano ◽  
Pablo Collazzo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the interplay of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green innovation in boosting competitiveness in manufacturing in an emerging market context. This study adds green innovation as mediator in the relationship between CSR and competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach A model with three second-order constructs is developed and tested, in a sample of 325 managers from manufacturing companies in Ecuador, using quantitative and cross-section methods. Findings After obtaining adjusted and validated measurement models, a structural equation model was conducted, where the main hypotheses were confirmed, providing empirical evidence that CSR and green innovation significantly influence manufacturing competitiveness in a developing economy. Research limitations/implications This study considers only manufacturing companies in Ecuador, focusing on CSR practices in a single territorial case study. It arguably contributes to reinforce the business case for CSR, with new evidence on the causal relationships between CSR, green innovation and competitiveness, in the context of emerging market manufacturing industries. Although the literature often points at a positive relationship between CSR and firm-level competitiveness, supporting empirical evidence remains scarce. This model, introducing green innovation as mediator in the relationship between CSR and competitiveness in developing markets, accounts for a novel theoretical approach. Practical implications The findings are consistent with previous research, reporting the positive influence of CSR activities on organizational competitiveness, reducing risks and cost structures, as well as improving the relationship with employees, enhancing talent attraction, retention and productivity. Incorporating formal CSR tools to the model allowed us to highlight the relevance of ‘green’ certifications as a means to provide a competitive edge, along with increased bargaining power in the supply chain, resulting in competitiveness gains. The findings on the role of green innovation suggest a transition from cost-savings to a more strategic leverage on responsible innovation as a source of competitive advantage. Social implications Additionally, this research contributes to shed light on the impact of green processes and product innovations on social and environmental performance, providing evidence of a more efficient use of energy and natural resources, increasing productivity and by extension, profitability. CSR shapes an innovation culture that, through the use of social, environmental and sustainability controllers, can create new business models, products, services or processes that boost both firm-level and supply chain productivity, benefits that eventually spill over to the host community. Originality/value This study aims at bridging the research gap on the interplay of CSR, green innovation and competitiveness in manufacturing in an emerging market context.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahnoor Zahid ◽  
Hina Naeem ◽  
Iqra Aftab ◽  
Sajawal Ali Mughal

Purpose The purpose of this study is to scrutinize the effect of corporate social responsibility activities (CSRA) of the firm on its financial performance (FP) and analyze the mediating role of innovation and competitive advantage (CA) in the relationship between CSRA and FP in the manufacturing sector of an emerging country, i.e. Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach Data has been collected through an electronic structured questionnaire from 300 middle-level and top-level managers by surveying different manufacturing firms of Gujranwala, Pakistan. The study’s hypotheses have been checked by analyzing the reliability and validity of data and applying confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling through statistical package for the social sciences and analysis of moment structures. Findings Outcomes of this study supported the hypothesized model. It has been found that the CSRA plays a significant positive role in determining the FP of the firm. Furthermore, the CA and innovation have been proved as significant mediators between CSRA and FP. Originality/value The first time examining the intermediation of innovation and CA in the relationship between CSRA and FP is the primary input of this study to the literature. Practically, this study’s findings will help strategy makers of manufacturing firms in emerging countries develop better strategies for implementing CSRA, enhancing innovation, seeking CA and improving FP.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Alam ◽  
Mustapha Ibn Boamah ◽  
Yuheng Liu

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between a commercial bank’s micro-loaning activity and overall performance over a 10-year period. Design/methodology/approach Quarterly data was obtained from the Wind Database, China Minsheng Banks’s official annual reports and annual corporate social responsibility reports from 2009 to 2019, to test the linear relationship between micro-loan activities and the overall financial performance of the bank. Findings The results of this study empirically demonstrate that there is a positive relationship between increases in micro-loaning activity and the overall performance of the bank. Some key recommendations for the sector are shared in the conclusion of this paper. Originality/value In the financial sector, some corporate social responsibility activities focus on the issuance of micro-loans. It is unclear, however, if this has also served as a means to increase profitability and overall performance for such institutions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Zeng

Purpose This paper aims to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and tax avoidance as well as how CSR and country-level governance interplay in affecting tax avoidance in an international setting. Design/methodology/approach This paper is an empirical work using listed companies from 35 countries and relying on several proxies for corporate tax avoidance activities including the difference between the statutory tax rate and the annual effective tax rate, the book-tax difference and the residual book-tax difference. Findings This study finds strong evidence that CSR is positively related to tax avoidance. It also finds that in countries with weak country-level governance, firms with higher CSR scores engage in less tax avoidance, implying that CSR and country-level governance are substitutes. Originality/value This paper is the first study that examines the relationship between CSR and tax avoidance in an international setting with different legal and institutional environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanh Thi Song Pham ◽  
Hien Thi Tran

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effects of board model and board independence on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure of multinational corporations (MNCs). Design/methodology/approach The authors developed an empirical model in which CSR disclosure is the dependent variable and board model (two-tier vs one-tier), board independence (a proportion of independent directors on a board) and the interaction variable of board model and board independence together with several variables conventionally used as control variables are independent variables. The authors collated the panel dataset of 244 Fortune World’s Most Admired (FWMA) corporations from 2005 to 2011 of which 117 MNCs use the one-tier board model, and 127 MNCs use the two-tier board model from 20 countries. They used the random-effect regression method to estimate the empirical models with the data they collated and also ran regressions on the alternative models for robustness check. Findings The authors found a significantly positive effect of a board model on CSR disclosure by MNCs. Two-tier MNCs tend to reveal more CSR information than one-tier MNCs. The results also confirm the significant moderating impact of board model on the effect of board independence on CSR disclosure. The effect of board independence on CSR disclosure in the two-tier board MNCs tends to be higher than that in the one-tier board MNCs. The results do not support the effect of board independence on CSR disclosure in general for all types of firms (one-tier and two-tier board). The impact of board independence on CSR disclosure is only significant in two-tier board MNCs and insignificant in one-tier board MNCs. Practical implications The authors advise the MNCs who wish to improve CSR reporting and transparency to consider the usage of two-tier board model and use a higher number of outside directors on board. They note that once a firm uses one-tier model, number of IDs on a board does not matter to the level of CSR disclosure. They advise regulators to enforce an application of two-tier board model to improve CSR reporting and transparency in MNCs. The authors also recommend regulators to continue mandating publicly traded companies to include more external members on their boards, especially for the two-tier board MNCs. Originality/value This paper is the first that investigates the role of board model on CSR disclosure of MNCs.


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