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Foreign direct investments: The role of corporate social responsibility

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  • Liu, Mei
  • Marshall, Andrew
  • McColgan, Patrick

Abstract

This paper investigates whether superior corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance leads to greater firm-level foreign direct investment (FDI). We argue that the decisions managers take on their CSR can have a positive influence in the external perception of the firm and act as an important intangible asset. Using a sample of 4764 firms from 44 countries spanning 2003–2014, we find evidence of a positive relation between CSR performance and the propensity to engage in FDI. The positive relation between CSR performance and FDI propensity is strongest for firms without prior international experience in FDI. Our results suggest that that a strong CSR reputation can act as important intangible asset and help firms’ internationalization by increasing external legitimacy and reputation. The results are robust to controls for endogeneity, alternative measures of international experience, and alternative model specifications.

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  • Liu, Mei & Marshall, Andrew & McColgan, Patrick, 2021. "Foreign direct investments: The role of corporate social responsibility," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:mulfin:v:59:y:2021:i:c:s1042444x20300529
    DOI: 10.1016/j.mulfin.2020.100663
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    2. Khurram, Muhammad Usman & Abbassi, Wajih & Chen, Yifan & Chen, Lifeng, 2024. "Outward foreign investment performance, digital transformation, and ESG performance: Evidence from China," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    3. Hend Alregab, 2022. "The Role of Environmental, Social, and Governance Performance on Attracting Foreign Ownership: Evidence from Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-15, November.
    4. Mbanyele, William & Muchenje, Linda Tinofirei, 2022. "Climate change exposure, risk management and corporate social responsibility: Cross-country evidence," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    5. Manuchehr Irandoust, 2024. "Does FDI encourage female labor force participation? Evidence from Arab countries," Business Economics, Palgrave Macmillan;National Association for Business Economics, vol. 59(3), pages 174-189, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate social responsibility; Foreign direct investment;

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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