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Walking the talk in family firms. An empirical investigation of CSR communication and practices

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  • Andrea Venturelli
  • Salvatore Principale
  • Lorenzo Ligorio
  • Simona Cosma

Abstract

Family firms are embarking on a virtuous path increasingly oriented toward sustainable development. The corporate social responsibility (CSR), more and more regarded as a positive driver for the reputation and preservation in the medium to long term for the company, is now an element that falls within the credit valuations of banking firms. Our research investigates CSR communication and practices in small and medium‐sized family businesses. Using the socioemotional wealth perspective, we analyze the effect of family control and influence on CSR behavior. We perform a Poisson regression on an Italian regional sample of 200 family businesses. Our study reveals a greater propensity of family businesses to practices rather than CSR communication. Family control has a positive effect on CSR practices, while family involvement has an adverse effect on CSR communication. Besides, strong control and involvement have a negative effect on CSR communication.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Venturelli & Salvatore Principale & Lorenzo Ligorio & Simona Cosma, 2021. "Walking the talk in family firms. An empirical investigation of CSR communication and practices," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(1), pages 497-510, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:28:y:2021:i:1:p:497-510
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.2064
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    2. Carmen‐Pilar Martí‐Ballester, 2023. "Mutual funds and gender equality in portfolio firms: Toward the sustainable development goals," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 905-926, March.
    3. Stefania Veltri & Romilda Mazzotta & Franco Ernesto Rubino, 2021. "Board diversity and corporate social performance: Does the family firm status matter?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(6), pages 1664-1679, November.
    4. Bargoni, Augusto & Alon, Ilan & Ferraris, Alberto, 2023. "A systematic review of family business and consumer behaviour," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    5. Smith, Hannah & Discetti, Roberta & Bellucci, Marco & Acuti, Diletta, 2022. "SMEs engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals: A power perspective," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 112-122.
    6. Leonidou, Leonidas C. & Eteokleous, Pantelitsa P. & Christodoulides, Paul & Strømfeldt Eduardsen, Jonas, 2023. "A dynamic capabilities perspective to socially responsible family business: Implications on social-based advantage and market performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PA).
    7. Saier Su & Fei Zhu & Haibo Zhou, 2022. "A Systematic Literature Review on Ownership and Corporate Social Responsibility in Family Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-25, June.

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