Forcing responsibility? Examining earnings management induced by mandatory corporate social responsibility: evidence from India

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish Bansal ◽  
Vivek Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Net Worth ◽  
Panel Data Regression ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Operating Revenue

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending legislation on the earnings management strategies of firms. Design/methodology/approach The authors use panel data regression models to analyze the data for this study. This study covers the post-legislation period, which spans over five years from the financial year ending March 2015 to the financial year ending March 2019. Findings The results show that firms manipulate accounting measures to avoid breaching the cut-off criteria for mandatory CSR. In particular, the results show that firms operating around the operating revenue threshold misclassify operating revenue as non-operating revenue. In contrast, firms operating around the net worth and net profit thresholds do downward real and accrual earnings management. These results are consistent with several robustness measures. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that examines the impact of mandatory CSR spending on earnings management.

Corporate social responsibility, firm performance and the moderating effect of earnings management in Chinese firms

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2/3) ◽  
pp. 184-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Safdar Sial ◽  
Zheng Chunmei ◽  
Tehmina Khan ◽  
Vinh Khuong Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Chinese Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and firm performance and the moderating role of earnings management on the relationship between CSR and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The empirical study used the updated data set (3,481 unbalanced observations for period 2009–2015) from Chinese listed companies on Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges. The generalized method of moments (GMM) statistical approach has been used for the analysis. The authors utilized STATA to test GMM on a sample of Chinese listed firms data over the period 2009–2015. The unbalanced sample obtained 3,481 observations from China stock market and accounting research database and CSR ratings provided by Rankins (RKS). Findings The results demonstrated that CSR has a positive and significant relationship with firm’s performance; also, earnings management has a negatively moderate relationship between CSR and firm performance. These results imply that a high value of earnings management, which results in high level of symbolic CSR, converts to low firm performance of the Chinese firms. CSR actions (only as symbolic measures) promoted by managers as a means to cover their profit management incite an adverse effect on the company’s performance. This study has highlighted the impact of two different corporate social responsibilities: substantive and symbolic (genuine CSR vs greenwashing) on firm performance. Research limitations/implications The results of this investigation will be of distinct interest to company owners who wish to ascertain the effectiveness of the sustainability decisions of directors and managers, and also to investors and public authorities to estimate the positive relationship between CSR and company’s reputation and image, and thus, the positive influence on firm performance. Originality/value Previous studies have generally focused on the relationship between CSR and firm performance. This study provides the impact of earnings management (measurement of both aspects of accrual-based earnings management and real earnings management) on this relationship. Furthermore, this study examines the state of CSR in the Chinese market and provides empirical evidence of this relationship in emerging markets.

Earnings management, financial performance and the moderating effect of corporate social responsibility: evidencefrom France

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salma Chakroun ◽  
Anis Ben Amar ◽  
Anis Ben Amar
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of earnings management on financial performance. In addition, the authors investigate whether corporate social responsibility has a moderating effect on the impact of earnings management on financial performance. Design/methodology/approach The empirical study is based on a sample of French companies listed on the CAC-All-Tradable index over the period 2008–2018. Feasible generalized least square regression method is used to estimate the econometric models. Findings Based on panel data of 3,003 French firm-year observations, the authors demonstrate that earnings management has a negative and significant impact on financial performance. Indeed, corporate social responsibility moderates positively the negative impact of earnings management on financial performance in the French context. Practical implications The findings have several implications for regulatory, investors and academic researchers. For regulators, it is appropriate to promote more several standards related to corporate social responsibility and earnings management. For investors, considering societal issues is very important in making decisions. For academic researchers, the results show that it is important to discover how corporate social responsibility can influence the relation between earnings management and financial performance. Originality/value The existing literature has generally focused on the impact of earnings management on financial performance and the empirical tests did not yield similar results. The study shows that corporate social responsibility has a moderating role in determining the impact of earnings management on financial performance.

scholarly journals Earnings management and corporate social responsibility: UK evidence

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 311-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousf Almahrog ◽  
Zakaria Ali Aribi ◽  
Thankom Arun
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The paper aims to re-interpret the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in limiting the extreme practices in earnings management (EM) by using evidence from large UK companies. Design/methodology/approach The study has used content analysis and disclosure index to measure the level of CSR. The authors measured EM based on discretionary accruals by using cross-sectional version of the modified Jones model. Findings The findings of this study reveal that companies with a higher commitment to CSR activities are less likely to manage earnings through accruals. Originality/value This study shed more light on the potential impact of CSR on earnings management in the context of the UK. Prior research on the impact of CSR on earnings management has used exclusively CSR scores, provided by CSR score indices. The manual measurement used in this study for CSR (disclosure index/content analysis) is considered to provide a more detailed and precise measure.

Corporate social responsibility and earnings quality: do institutional features matter?

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-92
Author(s):  
Habib Jouber
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Method Of Moment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Institutional Features ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) is associated with firms’ earnings quality (EQ) and how this association is context-specific. The authors consider specific institutional differences in strength of corporate governance (CG) attributes, quality of law enforcement and level of investor protection found between Anglo-American, European and South-Eastern Asian CG models to test the impact of above country-level factors on this association. Design/methodology/approach To test the association between CSR and EQ, the authors consider EIRIS (Ethical Investment Research Service) (2018) CSR issues of sustainability indicators as proxy to capture CSR. Following Rezaee and Tuo’s (2019) study, the authors classify EQ into innate earnings quality (IEQ) and discretionary earnings quality (DEQ). The authors investigate the innate (discretionary) EQ as to refer to firm’s inherent operating uncertainty (earnings management). Several dependency models for panel data applying the generalized method of moment (GMM) estimator of Arellano and Bond (1991) are ruled based on archival data of 4,206 non-financial international listed firms over the period 2012-2017. Findings Univariate and GMM multivariate cross-country analyses show that CSR is positively associated with EQ and that this association is more pronounced for firms within countries where good CG tools and higher investor right protection are preserved. The authors interpret the findings as evidence that the CSR-EQ association is shaped by the degree of monitoring role played by institutional features at the country level. The results are robust to a battery of robustness tests. Originality/value The originality of this research is twice. On the one hand, it examines whether CSR is a reflection of manager’s ethical opportunistic behavior resultant on earnings quality derived from a firm’s innate traits. On the second hand, it tests whether CSR is a reflection of discretionary earnings quality manifested by earnings management behavior. This paper is the first to support that institutional features significantly matter when investigating the association between CSR and EQ.

Do dimensions of corporate social responsibility affect earnings management?

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 348-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anis Ben Amar ◽  
Salma Chakroun
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Iso 26000 ◽  
French Firm ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on earnings management measured by discretionary accruals based on Dechow et al.’s (1995) model with cash flow from operation. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a sample of 119 French non-financial companies listed on the CAC All Tradable index for the 2010-2014 period. All used regressions for the analysis are estimated based on panel data with random-effects. Findings Based on a panel data of 595 French firm-year observations during the period 2010-2014, the authors find a negative impact of CSR on earnings management, and some CSR dimensions negatively impact earnings management. Practical implications The results suggest several implications for regulatory in France, as well as those in other countries that try to implement CSR activities. Originality/value The originality of this work lies in the division of CSR into sub-dimensions defined by the ISO 26000 standard. This division reduces the complexity of societal reality and obeys a coherent institutional logic. In addition, it enables the operationalization of CSR in a new way to determine the impact of CSR on earnings management.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Earnings Management: The Moderating Role of Family Ownership

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asif Saeed ◽  
Aijaz Mustafa Hashmi ◽  
Attiya Yasmin Javid
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Family Firms ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Family Ownership ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

This study aims to explore the impact of family ownership on the relationship among corporate social responsibility (CSR) and earning management (EM) in Pakistan. Data is collected from nonfinancial listed firms on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE) for the period 2009-2017. Our results of pooled ordinary least square regression indicate that CSR has significant negative impact on EM. Furthermore, results also indicate that association between CSR and EM is moderated by family ownership. Family firms which perform CSR activities are less involved in EM as compare to nonfamily firms perform CSR activities. This variation in behavior of EM in family and non-family firms can possibly be explained by socioemotional wealth theory. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Earnings Management, Family Ownership

Corporate social responsibility and earnings management in the EU: a panel data analysis approach

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis E. Dimitropoulos
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Eu

Purpose Over the past decades, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been considered as a significant corporate strategy and also has been documented as a main information dissemination mechanism of corporations to shareholders, creditors and other external stakeholders. This fact makes the CSR activities and CSR performance interconnected with the quality of firms’ financial reporting. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of CSR performance on the earnings management (EM) behaviour using a sample from 24 European Union (EU) countries summing up to 121,154 firm-year observations over the period 2003–2018. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a multi-country data set with various dimensions of CSR performance including indexes regarding workforce, community relations, product responsibility and human rights protection. The empirical analysis is conducted with panel data regressions. Findings Evidence supports the negative association between CSR and EM indicating that high CSR performing firms are associated with less income smoothing and discretionary accruals, thus with higher financial reporting quality. Practical implications Regulatory agencies in the EU could use the findings of the study for the improvement of the accounting framework via enhancing the use and publications of social and environmental responsibility information and reports. Social implications Also, the current paper could be of interest not only to academic researchers but also to potential and existing investors in European corporations. The negative association between CSR performance and EM could be used by investors in assessing the risk of firms and the quality and reliability of their financial information. Originality/value This is the first study within the EU, which considers the multi-facet characteristics of CSR on the quality of accounting earnings and offers useful policy implications for regulators and investors.

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.

Comparative analysis of QISMUT+3’s Islamic corporate social responsibility

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agung Nur Probohudono ◽  
Astri Nugraheni ◽  
An Nurrahmawati
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Statistical Testing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Islamic Bank ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure on the financial performance of Islamic banks across nine countries as major markets that contribute to international Islamic bank assets (Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, Bahrain and Pakistan or further will be called QISMUT + 3 countries). Design/methodology/approach Islamic Social Reporting Disclosure Index (ISRDI) is being used as a benchmark for Islamic bank CSR performance that contains a compilation of CSR standard items specified by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions. The secondary data is collected from the respective bank’s annual reports and it used the regression analysis techniques for statistical testing. Findings This study found that CSR disclosure measured by ISRDI has a positive effect on financial performance. Almost all ISRDI sub-major categories have a positive effect on financial performance except the “environment” subcategory. The highest major subcategory for ISRDI is the “corporate governance” category (82%) and the “environment” category (13%) is the lowest. For the UAE, Kuwait and Turkey, the ISRDI is positively affected by financial performance and the other countries on this research are not. Originality/value This study highlighted the economic benefits of social responsibility practices as a part of business ethics in nine countries that uphold the value of religiosity. Thus, the development of the results of this research for subsequent research is very wide open.

Corporate Social Responsibility: Insights from Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-35
Author(s):  
G.K. Deshmukh ◽  
Sanskrity Joseph ◽  
Asha Sahu
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Time Series Analysis ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Net Worth ◽  
Series Analysis ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Corporate social Responsibility has become a buzz word in recent times. Its worldwide acceptance due to the social consciousness of enterprises coupled with legal orientation in developing countries like India has made it one of the most researched issue for researchers across continents. This paper is an attempt to review the development in the core concepts and theories which have been put forwarded by different researchers during the time period of 2010-2018. The paper undergoes a time series analysis for the selected period evaluating the evolution and impact assessment of CSR on core managerial concepts like marketing, finance and Human Resource management. The researchers after time series analysis have concluded that CSR is age long practice which has changed its orientation with the changes in objectives of business. It can be easily classified in three conceptual eras on the basis of its objectives. In the initial era it was a self-driven practice mainly influenced by the values of promoters of business. In the later stages it can be related with a business strategy of gaining goodwill. In the present era corporates have understood the value of societal obligation and it has again become a self-driven exercise. Further the impact of CSR has coupled with almost all functions of management which can be easily understood from the host of studies conducted during the selected period. The selected studies indicate that CSR has been instrumental in increasing net worth, customer satisfaction and employee retention.

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