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Corporate Social Responsibility, the Atmospheric Environment, and Technological Innovation Investment

Author

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  • Guichuan Zhou

    (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Lan Zhang

    (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Liming Zhang

    (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

Abstract

Based on the stakeholder theory, this paper takes the 2016 data of China’s A-share listed enterprises as a sample. It then uses SPSS 22 to conduct statistical analyses on the sample data to study the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and technological innovation investment, particularly the role of the atmospheric environment in regulating the relationship between the two. This paper shows that there is a significant positive correlation between CSR and an enterprise’s technological innovation investment. Further research has found that in the case of a poor atmospheric environment, the government’s environmental regulations have increased the operating costs of enterprises and weakened the intensity of technological innovation investment. However, when there is public pressure, CSR will improve. Consequently, the correlation between CSR and technological innovation investment is weak. In the case of a good atmospheric environment, enterprises do not need to increase their operating costs. To establish a good image and increase profitability, enterprises lean towards fulfilling their social responsibilities and enhancing their investment in technological innovation. This will also boost the positive correlation between CSR and technological innovation investment.

Suggested Citation

  • Guichuan Zhou & Lan Zhang & Liming Zhang, 2019. "Corporate Social Responsibility, the Atmospheric Environment, and Technological Innovation Investment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:2:p:481-:d:198601
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Renji Sun & Kung-Cheng Ho & Yan Gu & Chang-Chih Chen, 2019. "Asymmetric Cost Behavior and Investment in R&D: Evidence from China’s Manufacturing Listed Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Farida Saleem & C. Gopinath & Amira Khattak & Saiqa Saddiqa Qureshi & Alawiya Allui & Ahmad Adeel, 2020. "Corporate Environmentalism: An Emerging Economy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Maya Novitasari & Zeplin Jiwa Husada Tarigan, 2022. "The Role of Green Innovation in the Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility on Firm Performance," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Asif Khan & Li-Ru Chen & Chao-Yang Hung, 2021. "The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility in Supporting Second-Order Social Capital and Sustainable Innovation Ambidexterity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-15, June.
    5. Nguyen Thi Canh & Nguyen Thanh Liem & Phung Anh Thu & Nguyen Vinh Khuong, 2019. "The Impact of Innovation on the Firm Performance and Corporate Social Responsibility of Vietnamese Manufacturing Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-14, July.
    6. Chen-Yueh Chen & Ya-Lun Chou & Chun-Shih Lee, 2021. "Social Innovation, Employee Value Cocreation, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior in a Sport-Related Social Enterprise: Mediating Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-10, November.
    7. Kraus, Sascha & Rehman, Shafique Ur & García, F. Javier Sendra, 2020. "Corporate social responsibility and environmental performance: The mediating role of environmental strategy and green innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    8. Ma Zhong & Rong Xu & Xinyi Liao & Shuangli Zhang, 2019. "Do CSR Ratings Converge in China? A Comparison Between RKS and Hexun Scores," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-20, July.

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