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Geographic proximity, long-term institutional ownership, and corporate social responsibility

Author

Listed:
  • Kiyoung Chang

    (University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee)

  • Jean Kabongo

    (University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee)

  • Ying Li

    (University of Washington Bothell)

Abstract

Building on the premises that institutional ownerships vary in their impact on corporate social responsibility (CSR) decisions and that geographic proximity facilitates the valuation of benefits from CSR, we hypothesize that local long-term institutional ownership is a driver for corporate social performance, in particular positive CSR (CSR strengths). Using a panel data of S&P 500 firms over a 15-year window, we show that long-term institutional ownership that varies in geographic proximity to the focal firm does have a heterogeneous impact on CSR. Whereas both local and non-local long-term institutional ownership has a similar negative effect on CSR concerns, only local long-term institutional ownership has a positive effect on CSR strengths. The positive relation between local long-term institutional ownership and CSR is stronger in firms that are more involved in dealing with soft information which is difficult to quantify from a distance, such as those with high levels of research and development and intangible assets.

Suggested Citation

  • Kiyoung Chang & Jean Kabongo & Ying Li, 2021. "Geographic proximity, long-term institutional ownership, and corporate social responsibility," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 297-328, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:rqfnac:v:56:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11156-020-00895-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s11156-020-00895-9
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ahmed A. Sarhan, 2024. "Corporate social responsibility and tax avoidance: the effect of shareholding structure—evidence from the UK," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 21(1), pages 1-15, March.
    3. He, Jingbin & Ma, Xinru, 2023. "Is corporate social responsibility engagement influenced by nearby firms? Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    4. Patrick Velte, 2023. "Sustainable institutional investors, corporate sustainability performance, and corporate tax avoidance: Empirical evidence for the European capital market," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(5), pages 2406-2418, September.
    5. Jiafeng Gu, 2023. "Firm Performance and Corporate Social Responsibility: Spatial Context and Effect Mechanism," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Institutional ownership; Long-term investment horizon; Corporate social responsibility; Geographic proximity; Soft information;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance

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