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The impact of voluntary assurance of CSR reports on firms' operating performance: Evidence from Taiwan

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  • Li‐Chun Kuo
  • Chia‐Lin Lee
  • Yun‐Ting Lee

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of the voluntary assurance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports on firms' operating performance. Using data from listed firms in Taiwan to test three theory‐driven hypotheses, we found that the voluntary assurance of CSR reports may not lead to firms' positive performance. However, both voluntary dual‐assurance and high confidence levels of assurance for CSR reports can positively influence such performance. We offer incremental insights into expanding the CSR literature by elaborating the importance of voluntary assurance. We suggest that firms voluntarily assure their CSR reports with a higher confidence level to further improve their performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Li‐Chun Kuo & Chia‐Lin Lee & Yun‐Ting Lee, 2022. "The impact of voluntary assurance of CSR reports on firms' operating performance: Evidence from Taiwan," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(8), pages 4041-4054, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:43:y:2022:i:8:p:4041-4054
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.3645
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