IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/asiapa/v41y2024i3d10.1007_s10490-023-09878-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Doing well by doing good: unpacking the black box of corporate social responsibility

Author

Listed:
  • Li Xia

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Zhi Li

    (International Institute of Finance, University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Jiuchang Wei

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    Tsinghua University)

  • Shuo Gao

    (University of Oxford)

Abstract

Businesses worldwide have increasingly embraced the corporate social responsibility (CSR) concept in their operations, and hence the popular saying ‘doing well by doing good’. Previous literature has not yet reached a consensus on the nature of the relationship between CSR and corporate financial performance (CFP). To contribute to the resolution of the issue, this article examines the relationship through evidence from China’s renewable energy enterprises. To evaluate the effect of CSR on CFP, this study takes CSR as a construct that consists of corporate responsibilities for (i) shareholders, (ii) employees, (iii) customers, suppliers, and consumers, (iv) the natural environment, and (v) social contributions. Based on data of the listed firms in China’s renewable energy from 2010 to 2016, this study shows that overall CSR can enhance CFP. For China’s renewable energy industry, shareholder and environmental dimensions of CSR positively affect CFP, while the responsibility for non-shareholder stakeholders, particularly for customers, suppliers and consumers, demonstrates a negative effect. No significant effect is identified between the responsibility for social contributions and CFP, and neither is between employee responsibility and CFP.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Xia & Zhi Li & Jiuchang Wei & Shuo Gao, 2024. "Doing well by doing good: unpacking the black box of corporate social responsibility," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 1601-1631, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:asiapa:v:41:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s10490-023-09878-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10490-023-09878-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10490-023-09878-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10490-023-09878-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ran Zhang & Jigao Zhu & Heng Yue & Chunyan Zhu, 2010. "Corporate Philanthropic Giving, Advertising Intensity, and Industry Competition Level," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 94(1), pages 39-52, June.
    2. Clyde Eiríkur Hull & Sandra Rothenberg, 2008. "Firm performance: the interactions of corporate social performance with innovation and industry differentiation," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(7), pages 781-789, July.
    3. Yi, Yuyang & Zhang, Zongyi & Yan, Youliang, 2021. "Kindness is rewarded! The impact of corporate social responsibility on Chinese market reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    4. Teoh, Siew Hong & Welch, Ivo & Wazzan, C Paul, 1999. "The Effect of Socially Activist Investment Policies on the Financial Markets: Evidence from the South African Boycott," The Journal of Business, University of Chicago Press, vol. 72(1), pages 35-89, January.
    5. Amrou Awaysheh & Randall A. Heron & Tod Perry & Jared I. Wilson, 2020. "On the relation between corporate social responsibility and financial performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(6), pages 965-987, June.
    6. 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.
    7. Satu Pätäri & Ari Jantunen & Kalevi Kyläheiko & Jaana Sandström, 2012. "Does Sustainable Development Foster Value Creation? Empirical Evidence from the Global Energy Industry," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(6), pages 317-326, November.
    8. Shahbaz, Muhammad & Karaman, Abdullah S. & Kilic, Merve & Uyar, Ali, 2020. "Board attributes, CSR engagement, and corporate performance: What is the nexus in the energy sector?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    9. Jensen, Michael C. & Meckling, William H., 1976. "Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 3(4), pages 305-360, October.
    10. Kenneth De Roeck & Assâad El Akremi & Valérie Swaen, 2016. "Consistency Matters! How and When Does Corporate Social Responsibility Affect Employees’ Organizational Identification?," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 53(7), pages 1141-1168, November.
    11. Joshua D. Angrist & Jörn-Steffen Pischke, 2009. "Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist's Companion," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 8769.
    12. K de Roeck & Valérie Swaen & Assâad El Akremi, 2016. "Consistency matters! How and when does Corporate Social Responsibility affect employees’ organizational identification? Journal of Management Studies," Post-Print halshs-01520879, HAL.
    13. Ye Feng & Hsing Hung Chen & Jian Tang, 2018. "The Impacts of Social Responsibility and Ownership Structure on Sustainable Financial Development of China’s Energy Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-15, January.
    14. Abagail McWilliams & Donald Siegel, 2000. "Corporate social responsibility and financial performance: correlation or misspecification?," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(5), pages 603-609, May.
    15. Aleksandra Kacperczyk, 2009. "With greater power comes greater responsibility? takeover protection and corporate attention to stakeholders," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 261-285, March.
    16. Ross, Stephen A, 1973. "The Economic Theory of Agency: The Principal's Problem," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 63(2), pages 134-139, May.
    17. X. D. Xu & S. X. Zeng & H. L. Zou & Jonathan J. Shi, 2016. "The Impact of Corporate Environmental Violation on Shareholders' Wealth: a Perspective Taken from Media Coverage," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(2), pages 73-91, February.
    18. Yianis Sarafidis, 2007. "What Have you Done for me Lately? Release of Information and Strategic Manipulation of Memories," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 117(518), pages 307-326, March.
    19. Inoue, Yuhei & Lee, Seoki, 2011. "Effects of different dimensions of corporate social responsibility on corporate financial performance in tourism-related industries," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 790-804.
    20. Kuo-Jui Wu & Qing Chen & Yun Qi & Xiaoyue Jiang & Shuo Gao & Ming-Lang Tseng, 2019. "Sustainable Development Performance for Small and Medium Enterprises Using a Fuzzy Synthetic Method-DEMATEL," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-25, July.
    21. Xuan Bai & Jeanine Chang, 2015. "Corporate social responsibility and firm performance: The mediating role of marketing competence and the moderating role of market environment," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 32(2), pages 505-530, June.
    22. Cegarra-Navarro, Juan-Gabriel & Reverte, Carmelo & Gómez-Melero, Eduardo & Wensley, Anthony K.P., 2016. "Linking social and economic responsibilities with financial performance: The role of innovation," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 530-539.
    23. Assâad El Akremi & Jean-Pascal Gond & Valérie Swaen & Kenneth de Roeck & Jacques Igalens, 2018. "How Do Employees Perceive Corporate Responsibility? Development and Validation of a Multidimensional Corporate Stakeholder Responsibility Scale," Post-Print halshs-01520959, HAL.
    24. Edward Freeman, R. & Phillips, Robert A., 2002. "Stakeholder Theory: A Libertarian Defense," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(3), pages 331-349, July.
    25. Heli Wang & Jaepil Choi & Jiatao Li, 2008. "Too Little or Too Much? Untangling the Relationship Between Corporate Philanthropy and Firm Financial Performance," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(1), pages 143-159, February.
    26. Liu, Wei & Shao, Xuefeng & De Sisto, Marco & Li, Wen Helena, 2021. "A new approach for addressing endogeneity issues in the relationship between corporate social responsibility and corporate financial performance," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    27. Mukherjee, Debmalya & Makarius, Erin E. & Stevens, Charles E., 2018. "Business group reputation and affiliates’ internationalization strategies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(2), pages 93-103.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Ben Lahouel, Béchir & Ben Zaied, Younes & Managi, Shunsuke & Taleb, Lotfi, 2022. "Re-thinking about U: The relevance of regime-switching model in the relationship between environmental corporate social responsibility and financial performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 498-519.
    2. Wójcik Piotr, 2018. "The business case for corporate social responsibility: A literature overview and integrative framework," Journal of Management and Business Administration. Central Europe, Sciendo, vol. 26(1), pages 121-148, March.
    3. Ziyu Zhao & Mengyang Wang & Qiyuan Zhang, 2024. "The double-edged sword effect of government-initiated CSR on organizational profitability: Moderating roles of slack resources and competition intensity," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(4), pages 2091-2118, December.
    4. Al-Shammari, Marwan & Rasheed, Abdul & Al-Shammari, Hussam A., 2019. "CEO narcissism and corporate social responsibility: Does CEO narcissism affect CSR focus?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 106-117.
    5. Maria Jose Murcia, 2021. "Progressive and Rational CSR as Catalysts of New Product Introductions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(3), pages 613-627, December.
    6. Stephen J. Smulowitz & Didier Cossin & Hongze Lu, 2023. "Managerial Short-Termism and Corporate Social Performance: The Moderating Role of External Monitoring," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(4), pages 759-778, December.
    7. Shin, Jiyoung & Moon, Jon Jungbien & Kang, Jingoo, 2023. "Where does ESG pay? The role of national culture in moderating the relationship between ESG performance and financial performance," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(3).
    8. Li, Xinlan & Li, Changhong & Wang, Zhan & Jiao, Wenting & Pang, Yiwen, 2021. "The effect of corporate philanthropy on corporate performance of Chinese family firms: The moderating role of religious atmosphere," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    9. Hafiz Yasir Ali & Rizwan Qaiser Danish & Muhammad Asrar‐ul‐Haq, 2020. "How corporate social responsibility boosts firm financial performance: The mediating role of corporate image and customer satisfaction," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(1), pages 166-177, January.
    10. Peng Zou & Qi Wang & Jinhong Xie & Chenxi Zhou, 2020. "Does doing good lead to doing better in emerging markets? Stock market responses to the SRI index announcements in Brazil, China, and South Africa," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 966-986, September.
    11. Woon Leong Lin & Chin Lee & Siong Hook Law, 2021. "Asymmetric effects of corporate sustainability strategy on value creation among global automotive firms: A dynamic panel quantile regression approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 931-954, February.
    12. E.O. Marfo & L. Chen & H. Xuhua & H.A. Antwi & E. Yiranbon, 2015. "Corporate Social Responsibility: Driving Dynamics on Firm’s Profitability in Ghana," International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences, vol. 5(3), pages 116-132, July.
    13. Gonzalo Maldonado-Guzman & Sandra Yesenia Pinzon-Castro & Gabriela Citlalli Lopez-Torres, 2016. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Performance: The Role of Mexican SMEs," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 6(10), pages 568-579, October.
    14. Saridakis, Charalampos & Angelidou, Sofia & Woodside, Arch G., 2023. "How historical and social aspirations reshape the relationship between corporate financial performance and corporate social responsibility," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    15. Panagiotis Karavitis & Pantelis Kazakis & Tianyue Xu, 2021. "Overconfident CEOs, Corporate Social Responsibility & Tax Avoidance: Evidence from China," Working Papers 2021_18, Business School - Economics, University of Glasgow.
    16. Nana Liu & Chuanzhe Liu & Quan Guo & Bowen Da & Linna Guan & Huiying Chen, 2019. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance: A Quantile Regression Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-22, July.
    17. Kamini Gupta & Donal Crilly & Thomas Greckhamer, 2020. "Stakeholder engagement strategies, national institutions, and firm performance: A configurational perspective," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(10), pages 1869-1900, October.
    18. Franck Brulhart & Sandrine Gherra & Bertrand V. Quelin, 2019. "Do Stakeholder Orientation and Environmental Proactivity Impact Firm Profitability?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(1), pages 25-46, August.
    19. Al-Shaer, Habiba & Uyar, Ali & Kuzey, Cemil & Karaman, Abdullah S., 2023. "Do shareholders punish or reward excessive CSR engagement? Moderating effect of cash flow and firm growth," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    20. Saurabh Mishra & Sachin Modi, 2013. "Positive and Negative Corporate Social Responsibility, Financial Leverage, and Idiosyncratic Risk," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 117(2), pages 431-448, October.

    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:kap:asiapa:v:41:y:2024:i:3:d:10.1007_s10490-023-09878-5. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.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.