IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v11y2019i15p4116-d253115.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Is Earnings Quality Associated with Corporate Social Responsibility? Evidence from the Korean Market

Author

Listed:
  • Bohyun Yoon

    (Division of Economics and Information Statistics, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Korea)

  • Byul Kim

    (College of Economics and Finance, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea)

  • Jeong Hwan Lee

    (College of Economics and Finance, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Korea)

Abstract

Socially responsible firms are believed to behave in a responsible manner to restrict earnings management and thus deliver more reliable and transparent financial information to investors. We test this hypothesis by predicting a higher quality of financial reporting for socially responsible firms in the Korean market. The entire sample analysis provides evidence for the hypothesis in the use of discretionary accruals as proxy variables for the quality of financial reporting. However, our sub-sample analysis indicates that such weak support is driven by a group of environmentally sensitive firms and the affiliates of large family-owned conglomerates, or chaebol . Socially responsible firms are less likely to be involved with earnings management in the group of non-environmentally sensitive industries and non- chaebol affiliates. These firms provide a better quality of financial reporting in terms of both the use of discretionary accruals and real activity manipulations. In line with recent studies, our findings suggest that ethical concerns in producing high-quality financial reports rely significantly on firm characteristics.

Suggested Citation

  • Bohyun Yoon & Byul Kim & Jeong Hwan Lee, 2019. "Is Earnings Quality Associated with Corporate Social Responsibility? Evidence from the Korean Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:15:p:4116-:d:253115
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/15/4116/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/15/4116/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mary E. Barth & Wayne R. Landsman & Mark H. Lang, 2008. "International Accounting Standards and Accounting Quality," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(3), pages 467-498, June.
    2. Bert Scholtens & Feng‐Ching Kang, 2013. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Earnings Management: Evidence from Asian Economies," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), pages 95-112, March.
    3. Yousf Almahrog & Zakaria Ali Aribi & Thankom Arun, 2018. "Earnings management and corporate social responsibility: UK evidence," Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 16(2), pages 311-332, June.
    4. Won Oh & Young Chang & Aleksey Martynov, 2011. "The Effect of Ownership Structure on Corporate Social Responsibility: Empirical Evidence from Korea," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 104(2), pages 283-297, December.
    5. Bohyun Yoon & Jeong Hwan Lee & Ryan Byun, 2018. "Does ESG Performance Enhance Firm Value? Evidence from Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-18, October.
    6. Stephen J. Brammer & Stephen Pavelin, 2006. "Corporate Reputation and Social Performance: The Importance of Fit," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(3), pages 435-455, May.
    7. Stuart L. Hart & Gautam Ahuja, 1996. "Does It Pay To Be Green? An Empirical Examination Of The Relationship Between Emission Reduction And Firm Performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 5(1), pages 30-37, March.
    8. Mahfuja Malik, 2015. "Value-Enhancing Capabilities of CSR: A Brief Review of Contemporary Literature," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 127(2), pages 419-438, March.
    9. Yongtao Hong & Margaret Andersen, 2011. "The Relationship Between Corporate Social Responsibility and Earnings Management: An Exploratory Study," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 104(4), pages 461-471, December.
    10. Chin-Shien Lin & Ruei-Yuan Chang & Van Thac Dang, 2015. "An Integrated Model to Explain How Corporate Social Responsibility Affects Corporate Financial Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(7), pages 1-20, June.
    11. Hsiang-Lin Chih & Chung-Hua Shen & Feng-Ching Kang, 2008. "Corporate Social Responsibility, Investor Protection, and Earnings Management: Some International Evidence," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 79(1), pages 179-198, April.
    12. María Mar Miralles-Quirós & José Luis Miralles-Quirós & Luis Miguel Valente Gonçalves, 2018. "The Value Relevance of Environmental, Social, and Governance Performance: The Brazilian Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-15, February.
    13. Neeraj Arora & Ty Henderson, 2007. "Embedded Premium Promotion: Why It Works and How to Make It More Effective," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(4), pages 514-531, 07-08.
    14. Giovanna Gavana & Pietro Gottardo & Anna Maria Moisello, 2017. "Earnings Management and CSR Disclosure. Family vs. Non-Family Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-21, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Khan, Muhammad Arif & Khan, Ashraf & Hassan, M. Kabir & Maraghini, Maria Pia, 2024. "Market response to environmental social and governance performance: A global analysis," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    2. Francesco Grimaldi & Alessandra Caragnano & Marianna Zito & Massimo Mariani, 2020. "Sustainability Engagement and Earnings Management: The Italian Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Hasan F. Baklaci & William I-Wei Cheng & Jianing Zhang, 2024. "Performance Attributes of Environmental, Social, and Governance Exchange-Traded Funds," Asia-Pacific Financial Markets, Springer;Japanese Association of Financial Economics and Engineering, vol. 31(2), pages 307-334, June.
    4. Joonhyun Kim & Yunkyeong Lee, 2023. "Association between Earnings Announcement Behaviors and ESG Performances," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-16, May.
    5. Giovanna Gavana & Pietro Gottardo & Anna Maria Moisello, 2022. "Related Party Transactions and Earnings Management: The Moderating Effect of ESG Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, May.
    6. Qi, Yudong & Han, Minmin & Zhang, Chao, 2024. "The Synergistic Effects of Digital Technology Application and ESG Performance on Corporate Performance," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    7. Wadhaah Ibrahim Almubarak & Kaouther Chebbi & Mohammed Abdullah Ammer, 2023. "Unveiling the Connection among ESG, Earnings Management, and Financial Distress: Insights from an Emerging Market," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-23, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Eugene Burgos Mutuc & Jen-Sin Lee & Fu-Sheng Tsai, 2019. "Doing Good with Creative Accounting? Linking Corporate Social Responsibility to Earnings Management in Market Economy, Country and Business Sector Contexts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-20, August.
    2. Rasmi Meqbel & Mohammad Alta'any & Salah Kayed & Ahmed Al‐Omush, 2024. "Earnings management and sustainability assurance: The moderating role of CSR committee," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 1769-1785, May.
    3. Liu, Chengyun & Su, Kun & Zhang, Miaomiao, 2021. "Water disclosure and financial reporting quality for social changes: Empirical evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    4. Giovanna Gavana & Pietro Gottardo & Anna Maria Moisello, 2022. "Related Party Transactions and Earnings Management: The Moderating Effect of ESG Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, May.
    5. Lee, Gunhee & Bae, Mincheol & Sohn, Joongchan & Han, Chanwoo & Cho, Jinhyung, 2024. "Does voluntary environmental information disclosure prevent stock price crash risk? – Comparative analysis of chaebol and non-chaebol in Korea," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    6. Bohyun Yoon & Jeong Hwan Lee & Ryan Byun, 2018. "Does ESG Performance Enhance Firm Value? Evidence from Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-18, October.
    7. Bozzolan, Saverio & Fabrizi, Michele & Mallin, Christine A. & Michelon, Giovanna, 2015. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Earnings Quality: International Evidence," The International Journal of Accounting, Elsevier, vol. 50(4), pages 361-396.
    8. Yamina Chouaibi & Ghazi Zouari, 2022. "The effect of corporate social responsibility practices on real earnings management: evidence from a European ESG data," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 19(1), pages 11-30, March.
    9. Grougiou, Vassiliki & Leventis, Stergios & Dedoulis, Emmanouil & Owusu-Ansah, Stephen, 2014. "Corporate social responsibility and earnings management in U.S. banks," Accounting forum, Elsevier, vol. 38(3), pages 155-169.
    10. Isabel‐Maria García‐Sánchez & Nazim Hussain & Sana Akbar Khan & Jennifer Martínez‐Ferrero, 2020. "Managerial entrenchment, corporate social responsibility, and earnings management," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 1818-1833, July.
    11. Samuel Buertey & Eun‐Jung Sun & Jang Soon Lee & Juhee Hwang, 2020. "Corporate social responsibility and earnings management: The moderating effect of corporate governance mechanisms," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(1), pages 256-271, January.
    12. María del Mar Miras‐Rodríguez & Amalia Carrasco‐Gallego & Bernabé Escobar‐Pérez, 2015. "Are Socially Responsible Behaviors Paid Off Equally? A Cross‐cultural Analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(4), pages 237-256, July.
    13. Isabel‐María García‐Sánchez & Emma García‐Meca, 2017. "CSR Engagement and Earnings Quality in Banks. The Moderating Role of Institutional Factors," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(2), pages 145-158, March.
    14. Xiangyu Chen & Muhammad Safdar Sial & Dang Khoa Tran & Waseem Alhaddad & Jinsoo Hwang & Phung Anh Thu, 2020. "Are Socially Responsible Companies Really Ethical? The Moderating Role of State-Owned Enterprises: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-19, April.
    15. Khayria Amarna & Raquel Garde Sánchez & Maria Victoria López‐Pérez & Mahmoud Marzouk, 2024. "The effect of environmental, social, and governance disclosure and real earning management on the cost of financing," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 3181-3193, July.
    16. Habiba Al‐Shaer, 2020. "Sustainability reporting quality and post‐audit financial reporting quality: Empirical evidence from the UK," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2355-2373, September.
    17. Zixin Zhang & Teck Lee Yap & Jiyoung Park, 2021. "Does voluntary CSR disclosure and CSR performance influence earnings management? Empirical evidence from China," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 18(2), pages 161-178, June.
    18. Sadaf Ehsan & Adeel Tariq & Mian Sajid Nazir & Malik Shahzad Shabbir & Rizwan Shabbir & Lydia Bares Lopez & Wasim Ullah, 2022. "Nexus between corporate social responsibility and earnings management: Sustainable or opportunistic," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(2), pages 478-495, March.
    19. Tiago Gonçalves & Cristina Gaio & André Ferro, 2021. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Earnings Management: Moderating Impact of Economic Cycles and Financial Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-14, September.
    20. Yu Shang & Yanan Chi, 2023. "Corporate Environmental Information Disclosure and Earnings Management in China: Ethical Behaviour or Opportunism Motivation?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-23, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:15:p:4116-:d:253115. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.