IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jjrfmx/v14y2021i8p354-d607903.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Does a Board Characteristic Moderate the Relationship between CSR Practices and Financial Performance? Evidence from European ESG Firms

Author

Listed:
  • Matteo Rossi

    (Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3018, Tunisia)

  • Jamel Chouaibi

    (Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3018, Tunisia)

  • Salim Chouaibi

    (Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3018, Tunisia)

  • Wafa Jilani

    (Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3018, Tunisia)

  • Yamina Chouaibi

    (Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3018, Tunisia)

Abstract

This study aims to examine the potential effect that corporate social responsibility practices (CSR) have on financial performance in ESG firms, using the moderating role of board characteristics. To test the moderating effect of the board characteristics in the relationship between CSR practices and financial performance, we applied linear regressions with panel data using the Thomson Reuters ASSET4 database from European countries in analyzing data of 225 listed companies between 2015 and 2019. The results show that board characteristics partially moderate the relationship between CSR practices and financial performance in European ESG firms. In addition, this study indicates that CSR practices affect the firm’s financial performance positively. The study findings appended a new dimension to governance research that could provide policymakers and regulators with a valuable source of information to strengthen governance mechanisms for better financial performance. Previous studies mostly investigate the direct effect of corporate governance on financial performance. A few studies examine the moderating effect of CSR practice. This paper contributes by investigating the moderating effect of governance mechanisms in the ESG context.

Suggested Citation

  • Matteo Rossi & Jamel Chouaibi & Salim Chouaibi & Wafa Jilani & Yamina Chouaibi, 2021. "Does a Board Characteristic Moderate the Relationship between CSR Practices and Financial Performance? Evidence from European ESG Firms," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-15, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:14:y:2021:i:8:p:354-:d:607903
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/14/8/354/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1911-8074/14/8/354/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hoje Jo & Maretno Harjoto, 2011. "Corporate Governance and Firm Value: The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 103(3), pages 351-383, October.
    2. Ioannis Ioannou & George Serafeim, 2012. "What drives corporate social performance? The role of nation-level institutions," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 43(9), pages 834-864, December.
    3. , Aisdl, 2020. "Corporate social responsibility and firm financial performance: A literature review," OSF Preprints aymk7, Center for Open Science.
    4. Chenini Hajer & Jarboui Anis, 2018. "Analysis of the Impact of Governance on Bank Performance: Case of Commercial Tunisian Banks," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 9(3), pages 871-895, September.
    5. Cahan, Steven F. & Chen, Chen & Chen, Li & Nguyen, Nhut H., 2015. "Corporate social responsibility and media coverage," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 409-422.
    6. Aymen Ammari & Mohamad Kadria & Abderrazak Ellouze, 2014. "Board Structure and Firm Performance: Evidence from French Firms Listed in SBF 120," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 4(3).
    7. Henri Servaes & Ane Tamayo, 2013. "The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Firm Value: The Role of Customer Awareness," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 59(5), pages 1045-1061, May.
    8. Akbas, Ferhat & Meschke, Felix & Wintoki, M. Babajide, 2016. "Director networks and informed traders," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(1), pages 1-23.
    9. Lorenzo Sacconi, 2011. "A Rawlsian View of CSR and the Game Theory of its Implementation (Part I): the Multi-stakeholder Model of Corporate Governance," International Economic Association Series, in: Lorenzo Sacconi & Margaret Blair & R. Edward Freeman & Alessandro Vercelli (ed.), Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance, chapter 7, pages 157-193, Palgrave Macmillan.
    10. Chau, Gerald & Gray, Sidney J., 2010. "Family ownership, board independence and voluntary disclosure: Evidence from Hong Kong," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 93-109.
    11. El Ghoul, Sadok & Guedhami, Omrane & Wang, He & Kwok, Chuck C.Y., 2016. "Family control and corporate social responsibility," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 131-146.
    12. Isaksson, Lars E. & Woodside, Arch G., 2016. "Modeling firm heterogeneity in corporate social performance and financial performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(9), pages 3285-3314.
    13. Michael Jensen & Edward J. Zajac, 2004. "Corporate elites and corporate strategy: how demographic preferences and structural position shape the scope of the firm," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 25(6), pages 507-524, June.
    14. Brian Jones & Ryan Bowd & Ralph Tench, 2009. "Corporate irresponsibility and corporate social responsibility: competing realities," Social Responsibility Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 5(3), pages 300-310, July.
    15. Zakaria Ali Aribi & Simon Gao, 2010. "Corporate social responsibility disclosure," Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 8(2), pages 72-91, October.
    16. David Aboody & Baruch Lev, 2000. "Information Asymmetry, R&D, and Insider Gains," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 55(6), pages 2747-2766, December.
    17. Fatma Baalouch & Salma Damak Ayadi & Khaled Hussainey, 2019. "A study of the determinants of environmental disclosure quality: evidence from French listed companies," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 23(4), pages 939-971, December.
    18. Ray Donnelly & Mark Mulcahy, 2008. "Board Structure, Ownership, and Voluntary Disclosure in Ireland," Corporate Governance: An International Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 16(5), pages 416-429, September.
    19. Wong, Christina W.Y. & Lirn, Taih-Cherng & Yang, Ching-Chiao & Shang, Kuo-Chung, 2020. "Supply chain and external conditions under which supply chain resilience pays: An organizational information processing theorization," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    20. Anne Marie Ward & John Forker, 2017. "Financial Management Effectiveness and Board Gender Diversity in Member-Governed, Community Financial Institutions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 141(2), pages 351-366, March.
    21. Mohammad Jizi & Aly Salama & Robert Dixon & Rebecca Stratling, 2014. "Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: Evidence from the US Banking Sector," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 125(4), pages 601-615, December.
    22. R.M. Haniffa & T. E. Cooke, 2002. "Culture, Corporate Governance and Disclosure in Malaysian Corporations," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 38(3), pages 317-349, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Krivogorsky, Victoria & Mintchik, Natalia & Alon, Anna, 2023. "Accounting research in former Soviet bloc countries: Past trends and current and future developments," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mohammad Jizi, 2017. "The Influence of Board Composition on Sustainable Development Disclosure," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(5), pages 640-655, July.
    2. Shu, Pei-Gi & Chiang, Sue-Jane, 2020. "The impact of corporate governance on corporate social performance: Cases from listed firms in Taiwan," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    3. Renata Konadu & Gabriel Sam Ahinful & Samuel Owusu-Agyei, 2021. "Corporate governance pillars and business sustainability: does stakeholder engagement matter?," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 18(3), pages 269-289, September.
    4. Rania Béji & Ouidad Yousfi & Abdelwahed Omri, 2020. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance: A cognitive approach," Post-Print hal-03144756, HAL.
    5. Sanja Pekovic & Sebastian Vogt, 2021. "The fit between corporate social responsibility and corporate governance: the impact on a firm’s financial performance," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 1095-1125, May.
    6. Garanina, Tatiana & Aray, Yulia, 2021. "Enhancing CSR disclosure through foreign ownership, foreign board members, and cross-listing: Does it work in Russian context?," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    7. Shinu Vig, 2024. "Environmental disclosures by Indian companies: role of board characteristics and board effectiveness," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(1), pages 16-31, March.
    8. Mohammad Jizi & Aly Salama & Robert Dixon & Rebecca Stratling, 2014. "Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: Evidence from the US Banking Sector," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 125(4), pages 601-615, December.
    9. Rania B'eji & Ouidad Yousfi & Abdelwahed Omri, 2021. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance: A cognitive approach," Papers 2102.09218, arXiv.org.
    10. Jongmoo Jay Choi & Hoje Jo & Jimi Kim & Moo Sung Kim, 2018. "Business Groups and Corporate Social Responsibility," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(4), pages 931-954, December.
    11. Ahmed A. Elamer & Collins G. Ntim & Hussein A. Abdou & Alaa Mansour Zalata & Mohamed Elmagrhi, 2019. "The impact of multi-layer governance on bank risk disclosure in emerging markets: the case of Middle East and North Africa," Accounting Forum, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(2), pages 246-281, April.
    12. Hichem Khlif & Kamran Ahmed & Mohsen Souissi, 2017. "Ownership structure and voluntary disclosure: A synthesis of empirical studies," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 42(3), pages 376-403, August.
    13. Boubakri, Narjess & Guedhami, Omrane & Kwok, Chuck C.Y. & Wang, He (Helen), 2019. "Is privatization a socially responsible reform?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 129-151.
    14. Sebastian Utz, 2018. "Over‐investment or risk mitigation? Corporate social responsibility in Asia‐Pacific, Europe, Japan, and the United States," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 36(2), pages 167-193, April.
    15. Aladdin Dwekat & Elies Seguí‐Mas & Guillermina Tormo‐Carbó & Pedro Carmona, 2020. "Corporate Governance Configurations and Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Audit Committee and Board characteristics," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(6), pages 2879-2892, November.
    16. Ramzi Benkraiem & Taher Hamza & Faten Lakhal & Hamza Nizar, 2022. "Family control, institutional cross holding and corporate social responsibility," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 42(4), pages 2231-2247.
    17. Arifur Khan & Mohammad Muttakin & Javed Siddiqui, 2013. "Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures: Evidence from an Emerging Economy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 114(2), pages 207-223, May.
    18. Siti Amalia & Dadang Lesmana & Yanzil Azizil Yudaruddin & Rizky Yudaruddin, 2022. "The Impact of Board Structure on Voluntary Environmental and Energy Disclosure in an Emerging Market," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(4), pages 430-438, July.
    19. Wenqin Li & John Ziyang Zhang & Rong Ding, 2023. "Impact of Directors’ Network on Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: Evidence from China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(2), pages 551-583, March.
    20. Elmagrhi, Mohamed H. & Ntim, Collins G. & Wang, Yan & Elamer, Ahmed A. & Crossley, Richard, 2021. "The effect of vice-chancellor characteristics and internal governance mechanisms on voluntary disclosures in UK higher education institutions," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:14:y:2021:i:8:p:354-:d:607903. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.