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Exploring the business logic behind CSR certifications

Author

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  • Dahlin, Peter
  • Ekman, Peter
  • Röndell, Jimmie
  • Pesämaa, Ossi

Abstract

Research shows that CSR certification motives span from being symbolic to substantive. Prior studies have mainly focused on the differences between firms that hold and do not hold CSR certificates. This study explores if the extent of CSR certification is related to different business logic amongst firms who hold CSR certificates. The study utilizes full sample data from the Swedish commercial real estate industry to analyze the variance in motives and performance among firms with CSR certificates. The results indicate that firms that have a substantive CSR commitment have a business logic that entails a holistic and long-term perspective on both financial and CSR performance. However, substantive CSR commitment comes with greater staffing costs and lower financial returns as opposed to those of firms that obtain CSR certificates based on symbolic motives.

Suggested Citation

  • Dahlin, Peter & Ekman, Peter & Röndell, Jimmie & Pesämaa, Ossi, 2020. "Exploring the business logic behind CSR certifications," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 521-530.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:112:y:2020:i:c:p:521-530
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.11.046
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    3. Zhimin Zhou & Yucheng Wang & Yaqin Zheng & Shixiong Liu, 2023. "Effects of brand community social responsibility: roles of collective self-esteem and altruism," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 30(4), pages 347-366, July.
    4. Anna Jakubczak & Małgorzata Gotowska & Anna Andrzejewska & Aleksandra Tomasiewicz, 2022. "The Use of Team Management Methods to Design Socially Responsible Services—A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-17, September.
    5. Xue, Fei & Chen, Qinyuan & Chan, Kam C. & Yi, Zhihong, 2022. "Is corporate social responsibility value relevant? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment of anti-corruption campaign," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 520-532.
    6. Michael Greiner & Jing Sun, 2021. "How corporate social responsibility can incentivize top managers: A commitment to sustainability as an agency intervention," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(4), pages 1360-1375, July.
    7. Cheng, Louis T.W. & Sharma, Piyush & Shen, Jianfu & Ng, Allen C.C., 2021. "Exploring the dark side of third-party certification effect in B2B relationships: A professional financial services perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 123-136.

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