Ritu Pareek and Tarak Nath Sahu
Taking hints from the lacunas in the field of ownership structure and corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance of the firms in India, especially when the moderating…
Abstract
Purpose
Taking hints from the lacunas in the field of ownership structure and corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance of the firms in India, especially when the moderating effect of certain corporate governance mechanism comes into play, this study aims to attempt to fulfill the gap by exploring the ownership structure of the firm (i.e. foreign ownership, institutional ownership and government ownership) and the CSR performance of the firm, when moderated by board independence of the firm. In an additional analysis, the study explores the non-linear effect of foreign ownership structure on the CSR performance in the Indian context.
Design/methodology/approach
The study incorporates a strongly balanced panel data set of 280 non-financial National Stock Exchange 500 listed firms for the study period of 2013–2019. The study uses both static and Arellano–Bond dynamic panel model under generalized method of moments (GMMs) framework to establish the relationship between the studied variables.
Findings
The study acknowledges a positive impact of the foreign investors in the CSR performance of Indian firms with a higher proportion of independent directors on the board. The study further finds a contrarian role of government ownership in Indian context among the sampled firms. The study also in its extended analysis finds a non-linear inverted U-shaped relationship between foreign ownership (FO) and the CSR performance, which shows that FO positively impacts the CSR performance until a threshold level of 34% after which the curve starts declining.
Practical implications
One of the major implications this study provides for the corporate policymakers is that the firms with a string penchant for philanthropic activities such as CSR should be concerned with attracting more foreign investors in their shareholding. Also, a higher proportion of independent directors on the board boost the engagement of the firm in CSR works.
Originality/value
The moderating effect of board independence in the ownership structure–CSR relationship attempted by this study is a rare attempt in a developing economy, such as India, and offers a fresh dimension to the study. Also, the non-linearity relationship between FO and the CSR performance and the threshold level providing the twofold effect of the variables is an innovative research attempt, especially in regard to a developing country like India.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to explore agency pathways and the management of risk for economically disadvantaged adolescent victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore agency pathways and the management of risk for economically disadvantaged adolescent victims and perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). In spite of recent national and international initiatives to raise the profile of this issue, significant gaps within DVA services exist within an urban district situated in the North West of England, UK. The study aims to present qualitative data gathered from service-users and service managers who have knowledge of referral pathways within the district. The paper also aims to examine the discursive relationships between the context, the intersectional significance of age, gender and class and the high levels of risk for survivors and perpetrators.
Design/methodology/approach
A purposive sampling strategy utilises phenomenology to explore participants lived experience of DVA. The study seeks to unite phenomenology and hermeneutics to help develop an understanding of adolescent DVA and participant’s experiences of available services. Knowledge of these experiences was garnered through shared narratives.
Findings
Through privileging the experiences and knowledge of survivors and practitioners, this study found current DVA service provision for survivors and perpetrators is limited and practitioner interventions can be oppressive without adequate training. These limitations are clearly at odds with national and international efforts to prevent violence against women and girls. This paper highlights significant risks for adolescent survivors and suggests ways in which targeted support might be improved. The findings conclude that central government and local councils might confront the impact of intersecting oppressions by addressing “classed sexism” in early intervention and educational strategies to effect lasting change.
Research limitations/implications
Although the study is limited by a lack of participation from perpetrators, the data reveals worrying levels of risk, a reduction in funding pathways and a need for training for all statutory professionals. Additionally, another possible limitation of this study is that terms such as class, gender and heterosexuality were not defined by participants.
Practical implications
The paper considers the macroeconomic legacy of neoliberalism, suggesting that investing in early educational approaches, young person focused programmes and appropriate “classed sexism” training for statutory services is crucial for minimising risk.
Social implications
To understand the experience of DVA, the intersections of class, gender and age warrants further consideration, particularly in light of claims that socio-economic and ethnic marginalisation has the potential to increase the risk of exposure to interpersonal violence.
Originality/value
This original research project prioritises participant knowledge and expertise in the hope of minimising risks for adolescent survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence (DVA). This paper privileges the voices and lived experiences of survivors and professionals who have expertise in DVA.