Does corporate social responsibility affect dividend policy? Empirical evidence in the French context

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olfa Ben Salah ◽  
Anis Ben Amar

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to focus on the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on dividend policy in the French context. In addition, the authors seek to determine if the individual components of CSR influence dividend policy. Design/methodology/approach This study uses panel data methodology for a sample of French non-financial firms between 2008 and 2018. Generalized least squares method is used to estimate the models. Findings Using panel data methodology for a sample of 825 observations for the period 2008–2018, this study finds a positive impact of CSR practices on dividend policy. The authors also find that individual components of CSR positively influence dividend policy. To check the robustness of the results, this study further runs a sensitivity tests, including an alternative measure of dividend policy, all of which confirm the findings. Practical implications This study has examined the impact of CSR on dividend policy in France and may have implications for regulatory, investors, analysts and academics. First, the involvement in CSR best practices encourages companies to pay more dividends to investors. Therefore, investors are more motivated to invest in socially responsible firms than socially irresponsible firms. Second, given the association of CSR with the quality of accounting information and financial markets, regulators should step up recommendations relating to the different societal dimensions of CSR. Originality/value While little previous work has focused on the causal link between CSR and dividend policy, this research is the first, to the authors’ knowledge, to have looked at the impact of CSR on dividend policy in France.

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nripinder Kaur ◽  
Vikramjit Singh

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on financial performance (FP) of Indian steel industry in terms of value-added (VAM), profitability (PM), market (MM) and growth measures (GM).Design/methodology/approachIt is an empirical study using secondary data of 40 companies for 14 years collected from CSR/annual reports/official websites of the companies and Prowess database. The panel regression analysis, MANOVA and univariate ANOVA have been conducted to examine the impact of CSR on FP.FindingsThe result indicates a positive impact of CSR on FP in terms of VAM, PM and GM, thereby indicating that more investments in CSR will generate wealth for shareholders, enhance profitability and sales. Moreover, this study shows no noticeable relationship between CSR and MM.Social implicationsThis study contributes to the literature on the CSR–FP relationship and also has implications for managers, investors and other stakeholders. Companies with higher CSR rating create a brand image, attract proficient employees, get greater profit, loyal customers and have less possibility of bribery and corruption. This study may result in being influential to companies confined not only to this sector but also reaching to the others, thus inspiring them to contribute their share of profit for the welfare of society.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, it is the first comprehensive study to examine the impact of CSR on FP of Indian steel industry by considering four dimensions for measuring FP. It provides evidence about the relationship between CSR and FP.


CONVERTER ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 618-634
Author(s):  
Xiaolin Li

In the process of tourism development, there are some problems that can not be ignored, such as the destruction of natural environment by scenic spot development, unfair competition in the industry, and infringement of employees' rights and interests by enterprises, which directly restrict the development of tourism industry. The issue of tourism corporate social responsibility has been in the sight of global scholars and practitioners. First of all, this paper will study and analyze the relevant theories made so far by scholars and practitioners at home and abroad, to understand the research status of social responsibility of tourism listed companies at home and abroad, as well as the status quo of corporate social responsibility. Secondly, this paper selects 23 domestic tourism listed companies to collect the panel data of their social responsibility reports from 2014 to 2018, and makes an empirical analysis on the sorted panel data through the statistical software Eviews, so as to explore the impact of social responsibility of tourism listed companies on their business performance, And draw the conclusion that tourism listed companies' business responsibility has a positive impact on their business performance, but there is a certain lag in this impact. Based on the research, this paper puts forward some feasible suggestions for tourism enterprises to take the initiative to undertake social responsibility, hoping to provide some help to scholars in related fields and practitioners in enterprises.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thinh Quoc Tran

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of financial performance (FP) on corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) in the top 100 listed enterprises in Vietnam (VN100). Design/methodology/approach This paper uses the ordinary least square method to test and uses time series data of VN100 in five years from 2015 to 2019. Findings The results of this study show that the return on assets and return on equity have a positive impact on CSRD of VN100. Research limitations/implications This paper has not covered all independent variables related to FP. Practical implications The paper contribute to increasing CSRD of VN100. Social implications The paper contribute to raising awareness of businesses about community and society. Originality/value This paper contributes to increase the level of useful information for stakeholders to meet the trend of regional and international integration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 517-529
Author(s):  
Ashok Chakraborty

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of statutory regulatory order by the government on the degree of corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and disclosures. It also aims to empirically investigate the relationship of a firm’s key internal and governance factors with CSR performance and disclosures. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on empirical data from all banking firms listed in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) for a period of 2011-2015. The difference in difference analysis has been used to test the regulatory impact, where content analysis has been performed to find CSR disclosure scores. The multivariate regression analysis has been used to test hypotheses to find impact of firm’s internal factor on CSR disclosures. Findings The analysis and results of the study show that there is no significant impact of statutory regulatory impact on a firm’s level of CSR performance and disclosure. On the other hand, the study has found that board expertizes and board meetings have significant positive impact on firm’s CSR while no significant impact is found for firm networks to influence firm’s CSR disclosures. Research limitations/implications The main research limitation of the study is that it covers all listed firms of the banking industry in Bangladesh. Because of data inconsistency, other industries are not included in the data sample of this study. Originality/value The value of the study lies in its contribution to the empirical investigation of regulatory impact and key internal and governance factors in a developing country perspective, which will add value to the CSR literature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 545-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salma Chakroun ◽  
Bassem Salhi ◽  
Anis Ben Amar ◽  
Anis Jarboui

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between the ISO 26000 (global corporate social responsibility standard) adoption and financial performance. The current study aims to explore whether ISO 26000 social responsibility standard adoption has an impact on financial performance. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on a sample consisting of French companies listed on the CAC-All-Tradable index for the period 2010-2017. This study is motivated by using panel data estimated feasible generalized least squares method. Findings The results show that that good corporate governance can improve the financial performance. This positive impact is also noticed in the case of labor relations and conditions, environment and community involvement. However, it does not apply to human rights, fair operating practices and consumer issues, as there is no significant relationship between these dimensions and the financial performance. Practical implications The findings may be of interest to the academic researchers, investors and regulators. For academic researchers, it is interested in discovering how the adoption of ISO 26000 can improve financial performance. For investors, the results show that it is appropriate for different countries to adopt the ISO 26000 guidelines and introduce societal practices in their activities. Originality/value This paper extends the existing literature by examining the effect of the ISO 26000 standard for financial performance in the French context. The study of corporate social responsibility through its seven societal dimensions has enabled us to understand the guidelines relating to the ISO 26000 standard.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 348-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anis Ben Amar ◽  
Salma Chakroun

Purpose This paper aims to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on earnings management measured by discretionary accruals based on Dechow et al.’s (1995) model with cash flow from operation. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a sample of 119 French non-financial companies listed on the CAC All Tradable index for the 2010-2014 period. All used regressions for the analysis are estimated based on panel data with random-effects. Findings Based on a panel data of 595 French firm-year observations during the period 2010-2014, the authors find a negative impact of CSR on earnings management, and some CSR dimensions negatively impact earnings management. Practical implications The results suggest several implications for regulatory in France, as well as those in other countries that try to implement CSR activities. Originality/value The originality of this work lies in the division of CSR into sub-dimensions defined by the ISO 26000 standard. This division reduces the complexity of societal reality and obeys a coherent institutional logic. In addition, it enables the operationalization of CSR in a new way to determine the impact of CSR on earnings management.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis E. Dimitropoulos

Purpose Over the past decades, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been considered as a significant corporate strategy and also has been documented as a main information dissemination mechanism of corporations to shareholders, creditors and other external stakeholders. This fact makes the CSR activities and CSR performance interconnected with the quality of firms’ financial reporting. The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of CSR performance on the earnings management (EM) behaviour using a sample from 24 European Union (EU) countries summing up to 121,154 firm-year observations over the period 2003–2018. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a multi-country data set with various dimensions of CSR performance including indexes regarding workforce, community relations, product responsibility and human rights protection. The empirical analysis is conducted with panel data regressions. Findings Evidence supports the negative association between CSR and EM indicating that high CSR performing firms are associated with less income smoothing and discretionary accruals, thus with higher financial reporting quality. Practical implications Regulatory agencies in the EU could use the findings of the study for the improvement of the accounting framework via enhancing the use and publications of social and environmental responsibility information and reports. Social implications Also, the current paper could be of interest not only to academic researchers but also to potential and existing investors in European corporations. The negative association between CSR performance and EM could be used by investors in assessing the risk of firms and the quality and reliability of their financial information. Originality/value This is the first study within the EU, which considers the multi-facet characteristics of CSR on the quality of accounting earnings and offers useful policy implications for regulators and investors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Hadi Ibrahim ◽  
Mustafa Mohd Hanefah

Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of board diversity characteristics, namely, independence, gender, age and nationality of directors on the level of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures. Design/methodology/approach Content analysis was used to determine CSR disclosure. This study used panel data analysis to investigate the influence of board diversity characteristics on CSR disclosures. Findings Panel data analysis show that the level of CSR disclosure has increased over the period of study. Results also reveal a positive and significant association between the level of CSR disclosure and board diversity variables. Research limitations/implications This study examined only companies listed on Amman Stock Exchange. Therefore, the generalisation of the results might be limited to the listed companies only. Practical implications Findings are relevant to policymakers, professional organisations and practitioners in Jordan and in other Arab countries. Social implications The role of women in the boardroom is important to ensure more CSR activities by the listed companies. Jordan being a Muslim country should take the initiative to introduce laws to increase the number of women to the board. Originality/value This study offers significant contributions to existing CSR literature in Jordan and in other Arab countries by introducing female directors. Findings are important to policymakers. They should implement quotas for women in the boardroom, and adopting such a policy will increase the participation of women in the decision-making process of the companies and reduce gender bias.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pawan Taneja ◽  
Ameeta Jain ◽  
Mahesh Joshi ◽  
Monika Kansal

Purpose Since 2013, the Indian Companies Act Section 135 has mandated corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting by Indian central public sector enterprises (CPSEs). CSR reporting is regulated by multiple Government of India ministerial agencies, each requiring different formats and often different data. This study aims to understand the impact of these multiple regulatory bodies on CSR reporting by Indian CPSEs; evaluate the expectation gap between regulators and the regulated; and investigate the compliance burden on CPSEs. Design/methodology/approach An interview-based approach was adopted to evaluate the perspectives of both regulators and regulated CPSEs on the impact of the new regulations on CSR reporting quality. The authors use the lens of institutional theory to analyse the findings. Findings Driven by coercive institutional pressures, CPSEs are overburdened with myriad reporting requirements, which significantly negatively impact CPSEs’ financial and human resources and the quality of CSR activity and reports. It is difficult for CPSEs to assess the actual impact of their CSR activities due to overlapping with activities of the government/other institutions. The perceptions of regulators and the regulated are divergent: the regulators expect CPSEs to select more impactful CSR projects to comply with mandatory reporting requirements. Originality/value The findings of this study emphasise the need for meaningful dialogue between regulators and the regulated to reduce the expectation gap and establish a single regulatory authority that will ensure that the letter and spirit of the law are followed in practice and not just according to a tick-box approach.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agung Nur Probohudono ◽  
Astri Nugraheni ◽  
An Nurrahmawati

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure on the financial performance of Islamic banks across nine countries as major markets that contribute to international Islamic bank assets (Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Turkey, Bahrain and Pakistan or further will be called QISMUT + 3 countries). Design/methodology/approach Islamic Social Reporting Disclosure Index (ISRDI) is being used as a benchmark for Islamic bank CSR performance that contains a compilation of CSR standard items specified by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions. The secondary data is collected from the respective bank’s annual reports and it used the regression analysis techniques for statistical testing. Findings This study found that CSR disclosure measured by ISRDI has a positive effect on financial performance. Almost all ISRDI sub-major categories have a positive effect on financial performance except the “environment” subcategory. The highest major subcategory for ISRDI is the “corporate governance” category (82%) and the “environment” category (13%) is the lowest. For the UAE, Kuwait and Turkey, the ISRDI is positively affected by financial performance and the other countries on this research are not. Originality/value This study highlighted the economic benefits of social responsibility practices as a part of business ethics in nine countries that uphold the value of religiosity. Thus, the development of the results of this research for subsequent research is very wide open.


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