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CSR, Innovation, and Firm Performance in Sluggish Growth Contexts: A Firm-Level Empirical Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Rachel Bocquet

    (IREGE - Institut de Recherche en Gestion et en Economie - USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc)

  • Christian Le Bas

    (ESDES - ESDES, Lyon Business School - UCLy - UCLy - UCLy (Lyon Catholic University))

  • Caroline Mothe

    (IREGE - Institut de Recherche en Gestion et en Economie - USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry] - Université Savoie Mont Blanc)

  • Nicolas Poussing

    (LISER - Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research)

Abstract

The few studies that analyze the impact of a combined strategy of innovation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) on firm performance mostly focus on financial performance. In contrast, the current study considers the simultaneous impact of technological innovations (product and process) and CSR on firm growth, which provides a measure of medium-term economic performance. With a sample of 213 firms and a two-step procedure , this study reveals the differentiated effects of strategic versus responsive CSR behavior on the two technological innovation types, as well as the effects of the two innovation types on growth. The findings thus indicate that firms with strategic CSR achieve growth through both their product and their process innovations.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Bocquet & Christian Le Bas & Caroline Mothe & Nicolas Poussing, 2015. "CSR, Innovation, and Firm Performance in Sluggish Growth Contexts: A Firm-Level Empirical Analysis," Post-Print hal-01588258, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01588258
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2959-8
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.univ-smb.fr/hal-01588258
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