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Does it really pay to do better? Exploring the financial effects of changes in CSR ratings

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  • Mohammed Benlemlih
  • Jamil Jaballah
  • Jonathan Peillex

Abstract

Previous literature on the link between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial performance has focused mainly on the financial implications of a firm’s level of CSR without considering the potential effects on financial performance of variations in CSR rating. We try to fill this gap by studying whether variations in a firm’s CSR rating affect systematic risk, firm value, and portfolio performance. First, our results show that an increase in firms’ CSR efforts, as reflected by an increase in their CSR ratings, significantly reduces systematic risk. Second, a positive variation in CSR ratings significantly improves firm value. Finally, from a portfolio perspective, a strategy that consists of buying stocks that have experienced a CSR ratings increase and selling stocks that have experienced a CSR ratings decrease (or remain stable) leads to lower financial performance. Taken together, our findings provide new evidence and financial implications for firms and portfolio managers.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohammed Benlemlih & Jamil Jaballah & Jonathan Peillex, 2018. "Does it really pay to do better? Exploring the financial effects of changes in CSR ratings," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(51), pages 5464-5482, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:50:y:2018:i:51:p:5464-5482
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2018.1486997
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Narula, Radhika & Rao, Purnima & Kumar, Satish & Matta, Rahul, 2024. "ESG scores and firm performance- evidence from emerging market," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PA), pages 1170-1184.
    2. Jonathan Peillex & Sabri Boubaker & Breeda Comyns, 2021. "Does It Pay to Invest in Japanese Women? Evidence from the MSCI Japan Empowering Women Index," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 170(3), pages 595-613, May.
    3. Yuexiang Yang & Zhihui Du & Zhen Zhang & Guanqun Tong & Rongxi Zhou, 2021. "Does ESG Disclosure Affect Corporate-Bond Credit Spreads? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Vincent Lavaine, 2020. "Intérêts et Limites de la labélisation du marché français de l'ISR," Working Papers hal-02494009, HAL.
    5. Zheng, Zhigang & Li, Jiarong & Ren, Xingzi & Guo, Jie Michael, 2023. "Does corporate ESG create value? New evidence from M&As in China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    6. Peillex, Jonathan, 2022. "Comment expliquer la décision de création d’un fond éthique ? [What explain the creation of ethical funds?]," MPRA Paper 115067, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Peillex, Jonathan, 2023. "Réaction des investisseurs à la création de fonds éthiques [Investor reaction to the creation of ethical funds]," MPRA Paper 118930, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Alexandra Huang, 2019. "Déterminants des encours nationaux socialement responsables : Une analyse exploratoire internationale," Working Papers hal-02242796, HAL.
    9. Mohammed Benlemlih & M. Arif & M. Nadeem, 2023. "Institutional Ownership and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Comparative Study of the UK and the USA," Post-Print hal-04435468, HAL.
    10. El Ouadghiri, Imane & Guesmi, Khaled & Peillex, Jonathan & Ziegler, Andreas, 2021. "Public Attention to Environmental Issues and Stock Market Returns," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    11. Mohammed Benlemlih & Jamil Jaballah & Lamya Kermiche, 2023. "Does financing strategy accelerate corporate energy transition? Evidence from green bonds," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 878-889, January.
    12. Aono, Kohei & Okimoto, Tatsuyoshi, 2023. "When does the Japan Empowering Women Index outperform its parent and the ESG Select Leaders Indexes?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    13. Barda, Kelly, 2020. "Analyser la performance financière des indices boursiers environnementaux [Analyzing financial performance of green stock market indices]," MPRA Paper 102537, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Mendiela, Pauline, 2021. "Information security breaches and financial market reaction: the French case," MPRA Paper 105029, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    15. mehagni, soheir, 2019. "Comités de savants islamiques [Islamic boards]," MPRA Paper 92863, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Giovanni Catello Landi & Francesca Iandolo & Antonio Renzi & Andrea Rey, 2022. "Embedding sustainability in risk management: The impact of environmental, social, and governance ratings on corporate financial risk," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 1096-1107, July.
    17. Naciye Sekerci & Jamil Jaballah & Marc van Essen & Nadine Kammerlander, 2022. "Investors’ Reactions to CSR News in Family Versus Nonfamily Firms: A Study on Signal (In)credibility," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 46(1), pages 82-116, January.
    18. Mohammed Benlemlih & Jingwen Ge & Sujiao Zhao, 2021. "Undervaluation and non‐financial information: Evidence from voluntary disclosure of CSR news," Journal of Business Finance & Accounting, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(5-6), pages 785-814, May.
    19. Delâtre, Chloë, 2022. "Désinvestissement des combustibles fossiles: quelles conséquences pour la gestion de portefeuille ? [Fossil fuel divestment and portfolios implications]," MPRA Paper 114633, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    20. 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.

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