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How and when corporate social performance reduces firm risk? The moderating role of corporate governance

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  • Niccolò Nirino
  • Enrico Battisti
  • Alberto Ferraris
  • Stefano Dell'Atti
  • Massimiliano Farina Briamonte

Abstract

This study aims to explore the impact of corporate social performance (CSP) on firm risk, and it proposes the moderating role of corporate governance (CG) among this relationship. Although the literature on corporate social responsibility is extensive, there is still a lack of knowledge about how CSP influences firm risks, as well as the role of CG in this relationship. To fill this gap, we have empirically tested the impact of CSP on a firm's risk through a longitudinal analysis on S&P 500 firms from 2015 to 2019. Results show a significant negative relationship between CSP and firm risks, which is positively moderated by CG mechanisms. Our study contributes to the empirical research on corporate social responsibility and it provides insights for managerial decisions to encourage managers to pursue environmental and social practices that reduce the firm risk, with positive impacts on the firm value.

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  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:29:y:2022:i:6:p:1995-2005
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.2296
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    2. Sérgio Resende & Ariadna Monje‐Amor & Nuria Calvo, 2024. "Enterprise risk management and firm performance: The mediating role of corporate social responsibility in the European Union region," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 2852-2864, July.
    3. Giordino, Daniele & Jabeen, Fauzia & Nirino, Niccolò & Bresciani, Stefano, 2024. "Institutional investors ownership concentration and its effect on disclosure and transparency of United Nations sustainable development goals," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
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    5. Battisti, Enrico & Nirino, Niccolò & Leonidou, Erasmia & Salvi, Antonio, 2023. "Corporate social responsibility in family firms: Can corporate communication affect CSR performance?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    6. MCarmen Martínez‐Victoria & Alfons Oude Lansink, 2024. "Risk and return efficiency of manufacturing firms: Integrating corporate social responsibility performance," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 3735-3744, September.

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