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Corporate social performance and financial risk: Further empirical evidence using higher frequency data

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  • Ayton, Julie
  • Krasnikova, Natalia
  • Malki, Issam

Abstract

Using a unique dataset of corporate social responsibility rating – available on a monthly basis – we shed new light on the relationship between corporate social performance (CSP) and firm risk. Where previous studies use annual (at best) measures of CSP, assuming that a change in CSP leads a change in risk, we formally test the direction of the relationship using Granger causality. Looking at large UK companies over 2002–2018 (for a total number of 19,832 firm-months), we reject any causality (either way) between CSP and financial risk (both systematic and idiosyncratic risk). This shows that the CSP-risk relationship is not an endogenous one, contrary to what previous evidence has found. Given the structure of our panel data (long T and short N), we apply GLS based estimator to correct for serial correlation in our panel regressions. We find strong evidence that CSP has a negative impact on idiosyncratic risk; however, the effect of CSP on systematic risk is not statistically significant. The existence of a contemporaneous, rather than lagged relationship doesn't fare well with established CSP theories. Overall, our original approach has opened a new door to further the study of the link between CSP, financial performance and financial risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Ayton, Julie & Krasnikova, Natalia & Malki, Issam, 2022. "Corporate social performance and financial risk: Further empirical evidence using higher frequency data," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finana:v:80:y:2022:i:c:s1057521922000102
    DOI: 10.1016/j.irfa.2022.102030
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate social performance; Financial risk; Granger causality; Panel regression; UK companies;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G39 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Other

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