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Has the CSR engagement of electrical companies had an effect on their performance? A closer look at the environment

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  • María del Mar Miras‐Rodríguez
  • Amalia Carrasco‐Gallego
  • Bernabé Escobar‐Pérez

Abstract

Even though electrical companies attain a top ranking in the publication of CSR reports, they are often accused of 'green‐washing' due to their bad environmental reputation. The current economic crisis is testing their real CSR commitment more than ever, especially when this goes beyond its economic consequences. Based on a worldwide sample of electrical companies, we are going to study why companies are being socially responsible. We wish to know if it is due to the impact on the firms' performance or whether there are other motives (legitimation, improving their reputation) that lead companies to carry out these practices. We will also consider if it changes across the kind of CSR action considered. The results show that there is an economic justification beyond the socially responsible behaviour of the electrical companies. Additionally, most kinds of CSR action (community, diversity, corporate governance, product responsibility) are also carried out looking for economic rewards. However, the CSR actions oriented to the environment are mainly motivated by their need to improve their image and reverse their negative impact. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

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  • María del Mar Miras‐Rodríguez & Amalia Carrasco‐Gallego & Bernabé Escobar‐Pérez, 2015. "Has the CSR engagement of electrical companies had an effect on their performance? A closer look at the environment," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(8), pages 819-835, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:24:y:2015:i:8:p:819-835
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.1848
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    2. Grueso Gala, Melanie & Camisón Zornoza, César, 2022. "A bibliometric analysis of the literature on non-financial information reporting: Review of the research and network visualization," Cuadernos de Gestión, Universidad del País Vasco - Instituto de Economía Aplicada a la Empresa (IEAE).
    3. Cao, Qiang & Zhu, Tingting & Yu, Wenmei, 2024. "ESG investment and bank efficiency: Evidence from China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    4. Cao, Shaopeng & Yao, Hongjiang & Zhang, Min, 2023. "CSR gap and firm performance: An organizational justice perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    5. Monika Klimontowicz & Anna Losa-Jonczyk & Bogna Zacny, 2021. "Banks’ Energy Behavior: Impacts of the Disparity in the Quality and Quantity of the Disclosures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-14, November.
    6. Kai-Michael Griese & Kim Werner & Johannes Hogg, 2017. "Avoiding Greenwashing in Event Marketing: An Exploration of Concepts, Literature and Methods," Journal of Management and Sustainability, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 7(4), pages 1-15, December.
    7. Senlin Miao & Gary Gang Tian & Fenghua Wen & Jinli Xiao, 2024. "The Independence of Judges and Corporate Social Responsibility," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 193(3), pages 633-653, September.
    8. Hai-Yen Chang & Lien-Wen Liang & Yu-Luan Liu, 2021. "Using Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and Financial Indicators to Measure Bank Cost Efficiency in Asia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.
    9. Katharina Kaupke & Dodo zu Knyphausen‐Aufseß, 2023. "Sustainability and firm value in the oil and gas industry—A vicious circle?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(3), pages 1129-1144, May.
    10. Caterina De Lucia & Pasquale Pazienza & Mark Bartlett, 2020. "Does Good ESG Lead to Better Financial Performances by Firms? Machine Learning and Logistic Regression Models of Public Enterprises in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-29, July.
    11. José María Agudo-Valiente & Concepción Garcés-Ayerbe & Manuel Salvador-Figueras, 2017. "Corporate Social Responsibility Drivers and Barriers According to Managers’ Perception; Evidence from Spanish Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-24, October.

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