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Does corporate social responsibility reporting actually destroy firm reputation?

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  • María del Mar Miras‐Rodríguez
  • Francisco Bravo‐Urquiza
  • Bernabé Escobar‐Pérez

Abstract

Previous research on the effects on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is inconclusive and academics have increasingly discussed the credibility of CSR reporting. Our research analyses the influence of CSR reporting on corporate reputation by considering different scenarios based on companies' CSR consistency, which reflects the coherence between their CSR reporting and CSR commitment. Theoretically, CSR reporting initiatives could be perceived by stakeholders as a substantive or symbolic strategy. Our findings highlight that corporate reputation tends to be negatively affected by CSR reporting, which is generally identified by stakeholders as an impression management strategy (particularly gaining an ‘in accordance’ Global Reporting Initiative level and assurance), although the relationship between CSR reporting and corporate reputation depends on the CSR consistency of a firm. This evidence has direct implications for academics to refine theoretical frameworks as well as for companies and regulators to better understand the effects of CSR reporting.

Suggested Citation

  • María del Mar Miras‐Rodríguez & Francisco Bravo‐Urquiza & Bernabé Escobar‐Pérez, 2020. "Does corporate social responsibility reporting actually destroy firm reputation?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 1947-1957, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:27:y:2020:i:4:p:1947-1957
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.1938
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    2. José Solana‐Ibáñez & Manuel Caravaca‐Garratón, 2021. "Stakeholder engagement and corporate social reputation: The influence of exogenous factors on efficiency performance (stakeholder engagement and exogenous factors): Stakeholder engagement and exogenou," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(6), pages 1891-1905, November.
    3. Mehran Nejati & Azadeh Shafaei, 2023. "Why do employees respond differently to corporate social responsibility? A study of substantive and symbolic corporate social responsibility," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(4), pages 2066-2080, July.
    4. Marius Banke & Stephanie Lenger & Christiane Pott, 2022. "ESG Ratings in the Corporate Reporting of DAX40 Companies in Germany: Effects on Market Participants," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-21, August.
    5. José Luis Galdón Salvador & Gabriel Marín Díaz, 2024. "Enhancing Business Decision Making through a New Corporate Reputation Measurement Model: Practical Application in a Supplier Selection Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-28, January.
    6. Charl de Villiers & Jing Jia & Zhongtian Li, 2022. "Corporate social responsibility: A review of empirical research using Thomson Reuters Asset4 data," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(4), pages 4523-4568, December.
    7. Paolo Esposito & Gianluca Antonucci, 2022. "NGOs, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development trajectories in a new reformative spectrum: ‘New wine in old bottles or old wine in new bottles?’," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(3), pages 609-619, May.
    8. Yeuseung Kim, 2021. "Certified corporate social responsibility? The current state of certified and decertified B Corps," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(6), pages 1760-1768, November.

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