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Strategic Outcomes in Voluntary CSR: Reporting Economic and Reputational Benefits in Principles-Based Initiatives

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  • Jorge A. Arevalo

    (William Paterson University)

  • Deepa Aravind

    (City University of New York - College of Staten Island)

Abstract

Although existing research evaluates the growth and motivations behind global corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity, there is little understanding whether these growing commitments generate strategic benefits to their adherents. In this article, we analyze the organizational attributes that underlie the firm’s ability to generate competitive advantage from the adoption of a global CSR framework. We develop hypotheses on economic and reputational benefits and test whether firm performance, organizational resources, and access to business and CSR networks determine these benefits in CSR frameworks. Results from a survey of 213 Spanish global compact business participants strongly support our arguments.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge A. Arevalo & Deepa Aravind, 2017. "Strategic Outcomes in Voluntary CSR: Reporting Economic and Reputational Benefits in Principles-Based Initiatives," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 144(1), pages 201-217, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:144:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-015-2860-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2860-5
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    Cited by:

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    4. Yusheng Kong & Alex Antwi‐Adjei & Jonas Bawuah, 2020. "A systematic review of the business case for corporate social responsibility and firm performance," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(2), pages 444-454, March.
    5. Qing Miao & Jun Zhou, 2020. "Corporate Hypocrisy and Counterproductive Work Behavior: A Moderated Mediation Model of Organizational Identification and Perceived Importance of CSR," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-20, March.
    6. Jennifer Martínez-Ferrero & Mehmet Eryilmaz & Nese Colakoglu, 2020. "How Does Board Gender Diversity Influence the Likelihood of Becoming a UN Global Compact Signatory? The Mediating Effect of the CSR Committee," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-19, May.
    7. Sui-Hua Yu & Wan-Chen Liang, 2020. "Exploring the Determinants of Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: An Empirical Examination," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-16, March.
    8. Jielin Jing & Jianling Wang & Zhuochen Hu, 2023. "Has corporate involvement in government-initiated corporate social responsibility activities increased corporate value?—Evidence from China’s Targeted Poverty Alleviation," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-16, December.
    9. Orzes, Guido & Moretto, Antonella Maria & Moro, Mattia & Rossi, Matteo & Sartor, Marco & Caniato, Federico & Nassimbeni, Guido, 2020. "The impact of the United Nations global compact on firm performance: A longitudinal analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).

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