Rosamaria C. Moura‐Leite, Robert C. Padgett and Jose I. Galan
This study aims to revisit the relative importance of industry and firm level effects on corporate social responsibility (CSR), with the objective of clarifying their diverse…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to revisit the relative importance of industry and firm level effects on corporate social responsibility (CSR), with the objective of clarifying their diverse effects on CSR.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors suggest that CSR is a shared strategic asset based on insights from the industrial organization and institutional schools, taking into account that there are determinants of CSR that may be operating inside the corporation according to the resource‐based view. They employ a variance components method and a sample compiled of 495 US firms from 19 industries using five‐year periods.
Findings
The study indicates that firms retain considerable self‐determinism regarding their CSR trajectories, but the latter also represent a shared strategic asset. Thus, these results combined imply that CSR needs to be examined on both levels simultaneously.
Practical implications
The results of this study can provide non‐governmental organizations and governmental and regulatory institutions with an indicator that explains the performance variation levels of each dimension of CSR, and can help improve tools designed to promote it. Furthermore, the authors' research provides managers with evidence of CSR variability among CSR dimensions that could help in strategic decision‐making. In addition this research can provide assistance and give perspective regarding selection criteria for investment portfolios in responsible investment funds.
Originality/value
The industry effect is an important factor to consider in CSR intensity. The variation in firm and industry effects on CSR strategies has not been extensively studied; hence, explaining the sources of performance differences regarding industry and firm factors is a key theoretical and empirical issue in the field of management.
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Rosamaria C. Moura‐Leite and Robert C. Padgett
The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has a long history associated with how it impacts on organizations' behavior. In order to understand CSR's impact on…
Abstract
Purpose
The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has a long history associated with how it impacts on organizations' behavior. In order to understand CSR's impact on organization behavior, therefore, it is necessary to comprehend its progression. Subsequently, the purpose of this paper is to trace the conceptual evolution of CSR.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews the literature and adopts a chronological structure organized on a decade‐by‐decade basis. The results demonstrated that CSR research has changed constantly during the last 60 years.
Findings
In the 1950s the primary focus was on businesses' responsibilities to society and doing good deeds for society. In the 1960s key events, people and ideas were instrumental in characterizing the social changes ushered in during this decade. In the 1970s business managers applied the traditional management functions when dealing with CSR issues, while, in the 1980s, business and social interest came closer and firms became more responsive to their stakeholders. During the 1990s the idea of CSR became almost universally approved, also CSR was coupled with strategy literature and finally, in the 2000s, CSR became definitively an important strategic issue.
Research limitations/implications
The focus of this work is on researches that have generated much of the original discourse on this issue, since it is difficult to cover all of the existing literature. In addition, this analysis of the conceptual evolution of CSR started with Bowen's, although earlier references can be found.
Originality/value
This paper provides didactical information of the conceptual evolution of CSR, also it advances on the discussion of the progress of CSR throughout time that has caught the attention of several researchers and finally it provides recommendations for further studies.
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Maoliang Bu, Steven Rotchadl and Mengmeng Bu
This paper aims to conduct a comparative study between the historical development of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in both the USA and China. It is motivated by the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to conduct a comparative study between the historical development of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in both the USA and China. It is motivated by the phenomenon that CSR is developing in two different directions (global vs local).
Design/methodology/approach
A comparative study on sustainability-linked compensation illustrates how CSR in the USA is driven by firm-level economic decisions, in which the manifestations of CSR are usually those which prove to be the most profitable financially. Moreover, a case analysis on the green bond market in China contrarily illustrates how CSR in China is usually based more on alignment with top-down, state-led initiatives in which the state directs the ways in which CSR is manifested.
Findings
This paper reveals that despite globalizing trends are attempting to unify definitions of CSR, they inevitably become localized to fit the societal needs in which they are located.
Originality/value
By understanding how CSR development in these two countries has changed over time, this paper shows that future developments in CSR will likely be influenced more by local practices than by converging global forces.
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Rosamaria Cox Moura-Leite, José Carlos de Jesus Lopes and Carolina Yamazaki
This study aims to analyze the situation of Federal Universities (FUs) regarding compliance with the Sustainable Logistics Management Plan (PLS) Normative Instruction (NI…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the situation of Federal Universities (FUs) regarding compliance with the Sustainable Logistics Management Plan (PLS) Normative Instruction (NI) 10/2012, the adoption of which is compulsory for all agencies and entities of direct, autarchic and foundational public administration and dependent state-owned enterprises, including FUs. PLS is an instrument intended to establish sustainability practices in the management of public organizations.
Design/methodology/approach
The data were collected through searches on the websites of the 68 Brazilian FUs that constitute the study population, along with their plans of action (PAs) and monitoring reports.
Findings
The collected data revealed that only 25% of the FUs had a current PA and 15% published a report for the years 2020 or 2021. Furthermore, the most commonly found mandatory issue to be addressed in PAs was electricity, and the least frequent was sustainable procurement and contracting.
Research limitations/implications
Future research should be conducted with the Management Committee of the PLS to understand the reason for the discontinuity of this work in some universities and the rationale behind the mandatory issues.
Originality/value
Some studies address FUs’ implementation of PLS, which promotes sustainable management systems. However, each of the identified studies investigated only one of the seven mandatory issues set down in NI 10/2012, which did not allow a complete assessment of the FUs’ situation exclusively in respect of compliance with the PLS.
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Muhammad Ilyas, Rehman Uddin Mian and Muhammad Tahir Suleman
This study aims to examine the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on firm investment in corporate social responsibility (CSR)’s environmental, social and governance (ESG…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on firm investment in corporate social responsibility (CSR)’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) dimensions. Additionally, the study examines whether firm size moderates the EPU–CSR relationship.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample includes 2,017 US. firms from 2002 to 2018. Data on ESG scores are drawn from the Asset-4 database in Thomson Reuters to measure CSR investment. ordinary least square regression, including fixed effects at the year and industry level, is used as the main econometric specification. Moreover, the study employed the two-step system Generalized Method of Moments to address the endogeneity concerns.
Findings
The findings reveal that firms increase their CSR investment in response to high EPU. The results are consistent in all the three ESG/CSR dimensions: ESG. Moreover, the positive association between EPU and CSR is driven by firm size, indicating that large-sized firms have the resources and incentives to invest more in CSR. Our main findings remain consistent after addressing the endogeneity concerns and controlling for the effect of omitted variable biasness.
Originality/value
Using a unique sample of US firms, this study empirically contributes to the current literature on the association between EPU and CSR investment. Moreover, firm size plays a vital role in moderating this relationship.
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Izabela Franco, Rosamaria Moura-Leite, Matheus Wemerson Gomes Pereira and José Carlos de Jesus Lopes
The purpose of this paper is to broaden the knowledge to identify which factors influence the relationship between business undergraduates and corporate social responsibility…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to broaden the knowledge to identify which factors influence the relationship between business undergraduates and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Design/methodology/approach
Hypotheses have been developed to test the relationship between personal values of business undergraduates and CSR. Results have been achieved from 434 questionnaires within a survey through seven campuses of Brazilian universities. The data were primarily submitted to descriptive statistics – univariate analysis, followed by a four-factor analyses and finally, a structural model – one of the components from the structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied.
Findings
The results identified that undergraduate students who valued issues and behaviours connected with self-direction, stimulation, universalism and benevolence are more prone to value organizational philosophy towards CSR. Furthermore, it was identified that the more business administration students value such themes, there will be a higher chance of them of getting involved in CSR, when occupying decision-making positions. Further results show that women valued the issue more – and their interest increased, as they become older.
Practical implications
The results contribute to the identification of a student profile with increased affinity towards CSR, as well as highlighting gaps in business education, which will affect future managers’ social responsibility standards and decisions.
Originality/value
This paper suggests new hypotheses and adopts measures towards personal values and CSR, which had not been used together previously.
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José Alexandres Dos Santos, Rosamaria Moura-Leite, Matheus Wemerson Gomes Pereira and Marta Pagán
Brazil’s agribusiness sector is an acknowledged and relevant player in international markets. Companies operating in this industry have been closely observed by society with…
Abstract
Purpose
Brazil’s agribusiness sector is an acknowledged and relevant player in international markets. Companies operating in this industry have been closely observed by society with increasingly critical judgment relating to production systems and the impact of these companies. In this context, this study aims to assess the voluntary disclosure of social and environmental information of Brazilian agribusiness companies and test the determinant factors.
Design/methodology/approach
The research hypotheses are based on stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory and results from social and environmental disclosure studies. Confirmatory factor analysis was adopted to build the dependent variables, and the Tobit model was used for hypotheses testing. The sample includes the 150 largest agribusiness companies in Brazil.
Findings
The results show that the disclosure measures of agribusiness companies differ by segment and that internationalization, negative media exposure and pollution are critical factors in increased voluntary social and environmental disclosure.
Practical implications
Knowledge about the determinants and quality of voluntary disclosure is key in driving social responsibility policies. In addition, they are useful to executives for the preparation of social responsibility and environmental reports.
Originality/value
The results of this study contribute to the literature on voluntary social and environmental disclosure by providing information on an important but poorly studied sector, namely, agribusiness in Brazil.
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Sergio Braga Junior, Marta Pagán Martínez, Caroline Miranda Correa, Rosamaria Cox Moura-Leite and Dirceu Da Silva
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the perception of the influence of greenwashing and of attitudes and beliefs in the decisions of purchase of green products in the retail.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the perception of the influence of greenwashing and of attitudes and beliefs in the decisions of purchase of green products in the retail.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative research was carried out by means of a survey with a sample of 880 consumers living in São Paulo city, Brazil, who buy in supermarkets weekly or biweekly.
Findings
It was possible to evaluate a model that analyzed the aspects that greenwashing carries and the aspects that the attitudes and beliefs of the consumer present. As a result, it is inferred that when greenwashing is identified in the product, it loses the aspects of loyalty, satisfaction and benefits, as well as becoming a product that causes confusion of consumption. Further, consumer attitudes and beliefs show that they are guided by the aspects of perceived loyalty, satisfaction and benefits and that the perceived risk aspect is practically ignored.
Originality/value
The originality of this study is in evaluating consumer perception focusing on several aspects of purchase intention simultaneously, considering perception and behavior of consumer before greenwashing and green consumption and using all aspects together (satisfaction, loyalty, subjective and control forces, risk and benefits perception). Besides complementing with other determinants like consumer attitudes and beliefs, confusion of green consumption, behavior controlled in relation to green consumption and greenwashing. Thus, it contributes with an interdisciplinary study whose scale and methodology can be used by analogous studies.
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Rosamaria Moura-Leite and Robert Padgett
The paper analysed how the strengths and weaknesses of a firm's social actions with its different types of primary stakeholders impact on its reputation. The paper aims to discuss…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper analysed how the strengths and weaknesses of a firm's social actions with its different types of primary stakeholders impact on its reputation. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This research adopts Mattingly and Berman's typology to measure corporate social performance data, which differentiates primary stakeholder between institutional and technical. The first provides intangible support and the second tangible support to the firm. The hypotheses compare the effect that different social actions measures can have on corporate reputation (CR). The authors test the hypotheses empirically using two samples composed of US firms and two CR measures.
Findings
The authors found that institutional stakeholders are deemed to hold normative expectations of a firm's behavior, impacting strongly on CR, unlike technical stakeholders, that have an economic exchange relationship with the firm. In addition to corporate social actions toward technical stakeholders are viewed as self-serving actions and are therefore less likely to impact on CR.
Practical implications
The research can be very useful for business managers since it provides theoretical discussion and empirical proof about the effect of social actions on CR, which can assist them in designing or modifying social responsibility strategies used by the firm in order to build a positive CR.
Originality/value
The paper develops a framework on CR, highlighting the valuable roles that different types of social actions play in reputation building, and proposes a new model that identifies the impact of different types of social actions on organizational reputation.
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Barbara de Lima Voss, David Bernard Carter and Bruno Meirelles Salotti
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in…
Abstract
We present a critical literature review debating Brazilian research on social and environmental accounting (SEA). The aim of this study is to understand the role of politics in the construction of hegemonies in SEA research in Brazil. In particular, we examine the role of hegemony in relation to the co-option of SEA literature and sustainability in the Brazilian context by the logic of development for economic growth in emerging economies. The methodological approach adopts a post-structural perspective that reflects Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory. The study employs a hermeneutical, rhetorical approach to understand and classify 352 Brazilian research articles on SEA. We employ Brown and Fraser’s (2006) categorizations of SEA literature to help in our analysis: the business case, the stakeholder–accountability approach, and the critical case. We argue that the business case is prominent in Brazilian studies. Second-stage analysis suggests that the major themes under discussion include measurement, consulting, and descriptive approach. We argue that these themes illustrate the degree of influence of the hegemonic politics relevant to emerging economics, as these themes predominantly concern economic growth and a capitalist context. This paper discusses trends and practices in the Brazilian literature on SEA and argues that the focus means that SEA avoids critical debates of the role of capitalist logics in an emerging economy concerning sustainability. We urge the Brazilian academy to understand the implications of its reifying agenda and engage, counter-hegemonically, in a social and political agenda beyond the hegemonic support of a particular set of capitalist interests.