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The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure on Corporate Reputation: A Non-professional Stakeholder Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Anastasia Axjonow

    (TU Dortmund University)

  • Jürgen Ernstberger

    (Technical University of Munich)

  • Christiane Pott

    (TU Dortmund University)

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure on corporate reputation as perceived by non-professional stakeholders. Proponents of CSR disclosure argue that CSR disclosure can be considered as a tool for reputation management. We empirically investigate this claim using a reputation index which tracks the general public’s perceptions of corporate reputation over time. In our analysis, we focus on disclosure in stand-alone CSR reports and control for CSR performance. We find that, in contrast to the common belief, stand-alone CSR reports do not influence corporate reputation among non-professional stakeholders. However, we are able to document that stand-alone CSR reports influence corporate reputation among professional stakeholders. We also provide some evidence that transparent CSR disclosure on corporate websites can influence corporate reputation among non-professional stakeholders.

Suggested Citation

  • Anastasia Axjonow & Jürgen Ernstberger & Christiane Pott, 2018. "The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure on Corporate Reputation: A Non-professional Stakeholder Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 151(2), pages 429-450, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:151:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-016-3225-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-016-3225-4
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate reputation; Corporate social responsibility disclosure; Non-professional stakeholders’ perceptions; Professional stakeholders; Voluntary disclosure;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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