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The diffusion of corporate social responsibility through social network ties: From the perspective of strategic imitation

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  • Hailiang Zou
  • Xuemei Xie
  • Xiaohua Meng
  • Mengyu Yang

Abstract

Drawing on institutional and organizational learning theories, this study empirically investigates the imitation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) between firms tied by board interlocks, an important type of corporate social network tie. We propose a positive relationship between the CSR engagement of a focal firm and that of its tied‐to partners and examine how this relationship is moderated by the characteristics of both the focal and tied‐to firms. Using a sample of Chinese‐listed companies, empirical evidence is provided to show that a firm's engagement in symbolic CSR is in a positive relationship with that of its tied‐to partners; this relationship becomes stronger for smaller firms and those facing high uncertainty. Furthermore, when firms are linked to smaller firms, this relationship becomes more prominent. Our findings contribute to the CSR and social network literature, as well as the research on strategic imitation. Finally, implications for business management and government policy are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Hailiang Zou & Xuemei Xie & Xiaohua Meng & Mengyu Yang, 2019. "The diffusion of corporate social responsibility through social network ties: From the perspective of strategic imitation," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(1), pages 186-198, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:26:y:2019:i:1:p:186-198
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.1670
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    6. Santiago Kopoboru & Gloria Cuevas-Rodríguez & Leticia Pérez-Calero, 2020. "Boards that Make a Difference in Firm’s Acquisitions: The Role of Interlocks and Former Politicians in Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, January.
    7. George Halkos & Stylianos Nomikos & Kyriaki Tsilika, 2022. "Evidence for Novel Structures Relating CSR Reporting and Economic Welfare: Environmental Sustainability—A Continent-Level Analysis," Computational Economics, Springer;Society for Computational Economics, vol. 59(2), pages 415-444, February.
    8. Jing Lu & Fereshteh Mahmoudian & Dongning Yu & Jamal A. Nazari & Irene M. Herremans, 2021. "Board interlocks, absorptive capacity, and environmental performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(8), pages 3425-3443, December.
    9. Jing Lu & Dongning Yu & Fereshteh Mahmoudian & Jamal A. Nazari & Irene M. Herremans, 2021. "Board interlocks and greenhouse gas emissions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 92-108, January.
    10. Yue Vaughan & Yoon Koh, 2023. "Better-connected boards and their influence on corporate social responsibility: Evidence from U.S. restaurant industry," Tourism Economics, , vol. 29(8), pages 2057-2080, December.
    11. Giovanni Zampone & Isabel‐María García‐Sánchez & Giuseppe Sannino, 2023. "Imitation is the sincerest form of institutionalization: Understanding the effects of imitation and competitive pressures on the reporting of sustainable development goals in an international context," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(7), pages 4119-4142, November.
    12. Tulin Dzhengiz, 2020. "A Literature Review of Inter-Organizational Sustainability Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-52, June.
    13. Zhao, Tianjiao & Chan, Kam C., 2023. "Corporate social network and corporate social responsibility: A perspective of interlocking directorates," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    14. Ibrahem Alshbili & Ahmed A. Elamer & Maha W. Moustafa, 2021. "Social and environmental reporting, sustainable development and institutional voids: Evidence from a developing country," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(2), pages 881-895, March.
    15. Halkos, George & Nomikos, Stylianos, 2021. "Business concerns regarding environmental responsibility," MPRA Paper 105330, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Ranxin Liao & Jungwon Min, 2021. "How the Public Shaming of Peers Enhances Corporate Social Performance: Evidence from Blacklisted Firms in Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-17, December.

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