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The Moderating Effect of Cultural Values on the Relationship Between Corporate Social Performance and Firm Performance

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  • Wei Shi

    (University of Miami)

  • Kevin Veenstra

    (McMaster University)

Abstract

Using two national culture dimensions, we show that the influence of firms’ corporate social performance (CSP) on corporate financial performance (CFP) hinges on culture. Specifically, CFP is higher in those firms where CSR initiatives are congruent with the cultural environment. CSP has a negative impact on CFP for those firms domiciled in countries which are individualistic and favor flexibility. These findings are amplified for those firms with low levels of foreign influence in terms of institutional ownership and sales. Using a dataset covering 5334 firms from 41 different countries, our results indicate that culture and CSR initiatives have a powerful interaction effect in determining CFP, suggesting that CSP’s impact is dependent upon the culture of the country where the firm resides.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Shi & Kevin Veenstra, 2021. "The Moderating Effect of Cultural Values on the Relationship Between Corporate Social Performance and Firm Performance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(1), pages 89-107, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:174:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-020-04555-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-020-04555-9
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    Cited by:

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    3. Gangi, Francesco & Mustilli, Mario & Varrone, Nicola & Graziano, Domenico, 2023. "Target firms’ characteristics and the effects of sovereign wealth funds’ investments: Does cultural context of SWFs matter?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    4. Thi Ngan Pham & Phung Phi Tran & Minh-Hieu Le & Hoang Nhi Vo & Cong Dat Pham & Hai-Dang Nguyen, 2022. "The Effects of ESG Combined Score on Business Performance of Enterprises in the Transportation Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Minoo Tehrani & Andreas Rathgeber & Lawrence Fulton & Bryan Schmutz, 2021. "Sustainability & CSR: The Relationship with Hofstede Cultural Dimensions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-17, November.
    6. Gupta, Ranjan Das & Deb, Soumya G., 2023. "Interlinkage between corporate social, environmental performance and financial performance: Firm-mediators in a multi-country context," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    7. Yongjun Tang & Jun Zhu & Wenchao Ma & Mengxue Zhao, 2022. "A Study on the Impact of Institutional Pressure on Carbon Information Disclosure: The Mediating Effect of Enterprise Peer Influence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-23, March.
    8. Lina Mao & Chongluan Lu & Guangfan Sun & Chunyan Zhang & Changwei Guo, 2024. "Regional culture and corporate finance: a literature review," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    9. Chen Ma & Latif Yasir, 2023. "Carrot or Stick? CSR and Firm Financial Performance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(2), pages 349-365, November.
    10. 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).
    11. Zhonghuan Luo & Yujia Li & Luu Thi Nguyen & Irfan Jo & Jing Zhao, 2024. "The Moderating Role of Country Governance in the Link between ESG and Financial Performance: A Study of Listed Companies in 58 Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-18, June.
    12. Lan Gao & Liang Wan, 2023. "Does corporate environmental responsibility contribute to financial performance? A dual path analysis through operational efficiency and the cost of debt," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(1), pages 308-323, January.
    13. Fang Chen Kao & Minh‐Hieu Le, 2022. "Effects of corporate social responsibility on pharmaceutical multinational enterprises performance: Research and development and business efficiency perspectives," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(8), pages 3419-3434, December.
    14. Monica Singhania & Dimple Gupta, 2024. "Impact of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure on firm risk: A meta‐analytical review," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 3573-3613, July.
    15. Pathak, Rajesh & Gupta, Ranjan Das, 2022. "Environmental, social and governance performance and earnings management – The moderating role of law code and creditor's rights," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 47(PA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cultural values; Corporate social performance; Firm performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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