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Going home and helping out? Returnees as propagators of CSR in an emerging economy

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Listed:
  • Qin Han

    (University of Lethbridge)

  • Jennifer E Jennings

    (University of Alberta)

  • Runjuan Liu

    (University of Alberta)

  • P Devereaux Jennings

    (University of Alberta)

Abstract

This paper extends nascent work on returnees as agents of socio-economic change by examining whether education/training abroad affects the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of privately held firms during the early stages of an emerging economy’s transition. Integrating theory and research from the international business and CSR literatures, we argue that returnee-led firms are likely to exhibit higher levels of CSR than local-led firms, due to both the direct and indirect effects of an owner-manager’s international experience. We examine our hypotheses using nationally representative data collected in 2002 and 2004 through separate surveys of private enterprises in China. Our findings document the positive impact of education/training abroad on two CSR measures: sustainability initiative scope and charitable donation intensity. We also contribute evidence of the direct and indirect effects associated with an owner-manager’s returnee status, with the indirect effects stemming primarily from the greater size and profitability of returnee-led firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Qin Han & Jennifer E Jennings & Runjuan Liu & P Devereaux Jennings, 2019. "Going home and helping out? Returnees as propagators of CSR in an emerging economy," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 50(6), pages 857-872, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jintbs:v:50:y:2019:i:6:d:10.1057_s41267-018-00210-8
    DOI: 10.1057/s41267-018-00210-8
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    2. Yan Zuo & Shenyang Jiang & Jiang Wei, 2022. "Can corporate social responsibility mitigate the liability of newness? Evidence from China," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(2), pages 573-592, August.
    3. Wang, Mingchu & Wei, Yingqi & Azumah, Gideon & Wang, Catherine L., 2024. "African returnees in international knowledge transfer: A social capital perspective," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(1).
    4. Li, Ming & Kong, Lingyao, 2024. "Executives with financial backgrounds and corporate social responsibility: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    5. Nan Zhou & Heli Wang, 2020. "Foreign subsidiary CSR as a buffer against parent firm reputation risk," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 51(8), pages 1256-1282, October.
    6. Pei Sun & Jonathan P. Doh & Tazeeb Rajwani & Donald Siegel, 2021. "Navigating cross-border institutional complexity: A review and assessment of multinational nonmarket strategy research," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(9), pages 1818-1853, December.
    7. Ting-Ting Li & Kai Wang & Toshiyuki Sueyoshi & Derek D. Wang, 2021. "ESG: Research Progress and Future Prospects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-28, October.
    8. Xie, Zaiyang & Wang, Liang, 2022. "Returnee managers as an asset for emerging market multinational enterprises: Chinese cross-border acquisitions (2008–2017)," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 57(2).
    9. Lin Zhang & Yuehua Xu & Honghui Chen, 2022. "Do Returnee Executives Value Corporate Philanthropy? Evidence from China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 179(2), pages 411-430, August.
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