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Economic policy uncertainty and corporate social responsibility performance: evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Tianjiao Zhao
  • Xiang Xiao
  • Bingshi Zhang

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to show how the external issue of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) affects enterprises’ corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach - This study investigates the relationship between EPU and CSR based on the Chinese capital market from 2010 to 2018. Following the most recent studies focused on economic policy uncertainty, this paper uses the news-based method proposed by Bakeret al.(2016) to measure EPU and explore the effect of EPU on CSR, as well as the mediating role of state ownership in such a relationship. Findings - Empirical results show that increasing EPU will restrain enterprises’ social responsibility behaviour and the inhibitory effect is more obvious for state-owned enterprises. Further analyses reveal that the inhibitory effect of EPU on CSR is stronger for enterprises that face severe financial constraints and is significant for various components of CSR, and trade policy uncertainty could also curb enterprises’ social responsibility behaviour. Practical implications - As a stable economic environment is important for enterprises’ CSR engagement, the present study’s conclusions can help policymakers better understand the implications of policy stability for enterprises’ financial and non-financial decisions and especially their CSR decisions. Social implications - With the increasing attention paid to the CSR of enterprises, this study provides evidence that enterprises should develop appropriate CSR strategies according to the economic policy environment and enhance their capacity to withstand the risks generated by EPU. Originality/value - To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to analyse the relationship between EPU and CSR. The results contribute to a better understanding of what issues influence enterprises’ CSR engagement, highlighting the importance of a stable economic policy environment and of enterprises’ ability to withstand risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Tianjiao Zhao & Xiang Xiao & Bingshi Zhang, 2021. "Economic policy uncertainty and corporate social responsibility performance: evidence from China," Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 12(5), pages 1003-1026, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:sampjp:sampj-05-2020-0158
    DOI: 10.1108/SAMPJ-05-2020-0158
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jing Wu & Chee Yoong Liew, 2024. "Revisiting the nexus between corporate social responsibility and corporate value: Evidence from China," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 2066-2085, May.
    2. Guangyu Huang & Liqiong Shen, 2024. "The Bidirectional Relationship between Digital Transformation and Corporate Social Responsibility: A Legitimacy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-21, April.
    3. Safiullah, Md & Kabir, Md. Nurul, 2024. "Corporate political risk and environmental performance," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    4. Chai Bin‐Feng & Sultan Sikandar Mirza & Tanveer Ahsan & Muhammad Azeem Qureshi, 2024. "How uncertainty can determine corporate ESG performance?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 2290-2310, May.
    5. Gull, Ammar Ali & Ahsan, Tanveer & Qureshi, Muhammad Azeem & Mushtaq, Rizwan, 2023. "Striving to safeguard shareholders or maintain sustainability in periods of high uncertainty: A multi-country evidence," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    6. Zhao, Tianjiao & Chan, Kam C., 2023. "Corporate social network and corporate social responsibility: A perspective of interlocking directorates," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    7. Xi Zhong & Ge Ren & XiaoJie Wu, 2024. "Corporate philanthropy and bribery as distinctive responses to economic policy uncertainty: Do state-owned and private firms differ?," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(2), pages 641-677, June.
    8. Peng, Daoju & Colak, Gonul & Shen, Jianfu, 2023. "Lean against the wind: The effect of policy uncertainty on a firm's corporate social responsibility strategy," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    9. Sultan Sikandar Mirza & Chengming Huang & Adnan Khan, 2024. "Managing CEO duality and economic uncertainty: strategies for aligning corporate sustainability and innovation in China’s energy market," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(5), pages 12815-12841, May.
    10. Juzhang Feng & Sha Tang & Junhao Zhong, 2024. "Can corporate environmental, social, and governance performance influence foreign institutional investors to hold shares? Evidence from China," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4310-4330, July.
    11. Cuiling Ou & Kegao Yan, 2024. "The Nonlinear Effect of Economic Policy Uncertainty on Corporate Social Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-19, June.
    12. Chen, Peng & Miao, Xinru & Tee, Kai-Hong, 2023. "Do gold prices respond more to uncertainty shocks at the zero lower bound?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PA).

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