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Sustainable development drivers of companies: An international and multilevel analysis

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  • Ludovic Cassely
  • Christophe Revelli
  • Sami Ben Larbi
  • Alain Lacroux

Abstract

By adopting a pluralistic theoretical framework from stakeholder theory, neo‐institutional theory, and the resource‐based view, this article aims to identify the determinants of the sustainable development commitment or corporate social performance (CSP) of companies in an international context through a macrolevel, mesolevel, and microlevel analysis. Using a methodology based on generalized estimation equation models and social data from the Vigeo Eiris longitudinal database (2004–2015), the study shows that the economic system, in the sense of Amable, and the industrial sector have the greatest influence on CSP and its dimensions. This finding puts into perspective work that attributes high explanatory power to macroeconomic and mesoeconomic variables and moderates the influence of microeconomic variables on CSP, as firm size, R&D policy, and financial performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Ludovic Cassely & Christophe Revelli & Sami Ben Larbi & Alain Lacroux, 2020. "Sustainable development drivers of companies: An international and multilevel analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(5), pages 2028-2043, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:27:y:2020:i:5:p:2028-2043
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.1944
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    2. Niccolò Nirino & Enrico Battisti & Alberto Ferraris & Stefano Dell'Atti & Massimiliano Farina Briamonte, 2022. "How and when corporate social performance reduces firm risk? The moderating role of corporate governance," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(6), pages 1995-2005, November.
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