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Relationships between Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance: What is the Causality?

Author

Listed:
  • Gérard Hirigoyen

    (IRGO - Institut de Recherche en Gestion des Organisations - UB - Université de Bordeaux - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Bordeaux)

  • Thierry Poulain-Rehm

    (CEREGE [Poitiers] - Centre de recherche en gestion [EA 1722] - IAE Poitiers - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Poitiers - UP - Université de Poitiers = University of Poitiers - UP - Université de Poitiers = University of Poitiers - ULR - La Rochelle Université)

Abstract

This study examines the causal relationships between the various dimensions of corporate social responsibility (human resources, human rights in the workplace, societal commitment, respect for the environment, market behavior and governance) and financial performance (return on equity, return on assets, market to book ratio). It is based on a sample of 329 listed companies in three geographical areas (the United States, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region) for the years 2009 and 2010. Linear regression analysis and the Granger causality test were used to examine the causal relationships between social responsibility and financial performance. The results show not only that greater social responsibility does not result in better financial performance, but also that financial performance negatively impacts corporate social responsibility. JEL Classification: G30

Suggested Citation

  • Gérard Hirigoyen & Thierry Poulain-Rehm, 2015. "Relationships between Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance: What is the Causality?," Post-Print hal-01382072, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-01382072
    DOI: 10.12735/jbm.v4i1p18
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-01382072
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ma Ying & Gashaw Awoke Tikuye & He Shan, 2021. "Impacts of Firm Performance on Corporate Social Responsibility Practices: The Mediation Role of Corporate Governance in Ethiopia Corporate Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-21, August.
    2. Petitjean, Mikael, 2019. "Eco-friendly policies and financial performance: Was the financial crisis a game changer for large US companies?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 502-511.
    3. Rui Coelho & Shital Jayantilal & Joao J. Ferreira, 2023. "The impact of social responsibility on corporate financial performance: A systematic literature review," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(4), pages 1535-1560, July.
    4. Massimiliano Cerciello & Francesco Busato & Simone Taddeo, 2023. "The effect of sustainable business practices on profitability. Accounting for strategic disclosure," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 802-819, March.
    5. Lamees Talal Al-Radaydeh & Manal Sulieman Abughniem & Mohammad Adnan Hilal Al Aishat & Rania Al Omari, 2021. "The Effect of Corporate Social and environmental Responsibility on Leverage and Performance: Evidence from Jordan," Journal of Social Sciences (COES&RJ-JSS), , vol. 10(1), pages 48-58, January.
    6. Diaye, Marc-Arthur & Lasram, Hejer & Pekovic, Sanja, 2023. "How does CSR affect workers’ compensation? An approach by the theory of incentives," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    7. Wafa Sahraoui & Rimvie Enoc Kabore, 2021. "The relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and performance: the moderating effect of financial leverage," Working Papers hal-03503462, HAL.
    8. Wafa Ghardallou & Noha Alessa, 2022. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Performance in GCC Countries: A Panel Smooth Transition Regression Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-21, June.
    9. Kahloul, Ines & Sbai, Hicham & Grira, Jocelyn, 2022. "Does Corporate Social Responsibility reporting improve financial performance? The moderating role of board diversity and gender composition," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 305-314.
    10. Marian Siminica & Mirela Cristea & Mirela Sichigea & Gratiela Georgiana Noja & Ion Anghel, 2019. "Well-Governed Sustainability and Financial Performance: A New Integrative Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-21, August.
    11. Justyna Fijalkowska & Beata Zyznarska-Dworczak & Przemyslaw Garsztka, 2017. "The Relation between the CSR and the Accounting Information System Data in Central and Eastern European (CEE) Countries – The Evidence of the Polish Financial Institutions," Journal of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 16(4), pages 490-521, December.
    12. Mohamed Chakib Kolsi & Osama F Attayah, 2018. "Environmental policy disclosures and sustainable development: Determinants, measure and impact on firm value for ADX listed companies," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(5), pages 807-818, September.
    13. Mariusz Zielinski & Izabela Jonek-Kowalska, 2020. "Profitability of Corporate Social Responsibility Activities from the Perspective of Corporate Social Managers," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 264-280.
    14. N. V. V. Satyanaryana Puchakayala & Udaya Bhaskar Nallamalli & Visalakshi Narapareddi, 2023. "Corporate social responsibility: a way of enhancing financial performance—evidence from select NSE listed companies," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(7), pages 1-31, July.
    15. Mariusz Zieliński & Izabela Jonek-Kowalska, 2021. "Does CSR Affect the Profitability and Valuation of Energy Companies? An Example from Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-24, June.
    16. Ramin Bashir Khodaparasti & Hooshmand Bagheri Garabollagh & Reza Mohammadpour, 2020. "Engagement in Green Procurement: Antecedents and Outcomes on Manufacturing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises from Iran," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 22(53), pages 102-102, February.
    17. Ibrahim Sameer, 2021. "Impact of corporate social responsibility on organization’s financial performance: evidence from Maldives public limited companies," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 1-21, December.
    18. Mariana Vu?ã & Sorin-Iulian Cioacã & Mihai Vuþã & Adrian Enciu, 2019. "An Empirical Analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility Effects on Financial Performance for Romanian Listed Companies," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 21(52), pages 607-607, August.
    19. Bongani Munkuli & Renee Horne, 2018. "Financial Markets Value Reputation for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – A Study of the South African Mining Sector," Africagrowth Agenda, Africagrowth Institute, vol. 15(2), pages 17-22.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    corporate governance; financial performance; social responsibility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

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