Top executives’ military experiences, economic policy uncertainty, business strategy, and corporate social responsibilities

This study explores uncharted territory by investigating the propensity of top executives with military experience to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, even amidst economic policy uncertainty. Drawing upon data from Chinese A-share listed companies spanning the years 2010–2020 and employing Stata 15.1 for analysis, our research uncovers significant and enlightening findings. In a landscape characterized by dynamic economic policy shifts and elevated uncertainty, our study reveals that top executives with military backgrounds exhibit a pronounced inclination towards CSR performance. What's particularly groundbreaking is the discovery that their commitment to CSR intensifies in the face of heightened economic policy uncertainty. Business strategy plays a pivotal role as it mediates the relationship between military experiences and CSR outcomes. Notably, our investigation unveils the exceptional dedication to CSR among executives with military backgrounds in state-owned enterprises. These results provide fresh and actionable insights for corporate leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to navigate CSR challenges amid uncertain economic climates. Our research underscores the relevance of executive backgrounds as a strategic asset in advancing CSR efforts. In summary, this study contributes to the evolving discourse on CSR and ethical decision-making by shedding light on the unique CSR proclivities of top executives with military experience, even amidst economic policy turbulence. Our findings underscore the pertinence of considering these executives' backgrounds and strategic choices when cultivating CSR initiatives within organizations.