Corporate Social Responsibility and Goodwill Impairment

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Golden ◽  
Li Sun ◽  
Joseph H. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Public Interest ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Negative Relation ◽  
Goodwill Impairment ◽  
Interest Model ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Jel Classifications

ABSTRACT This study examines the relation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and goodwill impairment. We rely mainly on the stakeholder theory and adopt the Posner (1974) public interest model to develop our predictions. Following prior research, we use CSR strengths (concerns) to measure responsible (irresponsible) CSR activities. We find a negative relation between CSR strengths and the likelihood of goodwill impairment, suggesting that firms with more responsible CSR activities better prevent goodwill impairment. In addition, we find a negative relation between CSR concerns and the magnitude of goodwill impairment losses, suggesting that firms with excessive irresponsible CSR activities seek to lessen the negative consequences of goodwill impairment. Overall, our findings demonstrate the importance of CSR in preventing goodwill impairment and mitigating the manipulation of (underreporting) goodwill impairment losses. JEL Classifications: G18; M14; M41. Data Availability: Data are available from the sources identified in the paper.

Financial-tax reporting conformity, tax avoidance and corporate social responsibility

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 639-659
Author(s):  
Abdullah Alsaadi
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Tax Avoidance ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Aggressive Tax Avoidance ◽  
Tax Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effect of financial-tax reporting conformity jurisdictions on the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and aggressive tax avoidance. Design/methodology/approach Using a sample comprising firms domiciled in Europe for the period 2008–2016, this study uses regression analysis to test the impact of financial-tax reporting conformity jurisdictions on the association between CSR and aggressive tax avoidance. Findings The empirical results show that there is a positive association between CSR and tax avoidance, and firms headquartered in low financial-tax reporting conformity jurisdictions are more likely to engage in CSR to hedge against the potential negative consequences of aggressive tax-avoidance practices as compared to firms domiciled in countries with high level of financial-tax reporting conformity. Practical implications This study confirms Sikka’s (2010, 2013) view of “organised hypocrisy” act committed by firms to cover their socially irresponsible activities of aggressive tax avoidance by engaging in CSR. Results have implication for various regulatory bodies and investors in that the type of financial-tax conformity does impact the link between CSR and tax avoidance, and based on that, CSR firms may engage in CSR to overcome any negative reactions that could be caused as a result of tax avoidance. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the impact of financial-tax reporting conformity jurisdictions on the association between CSR and aggressive tax avoidance. This study also contributes to the literature in that, it uses an alternative data set which offers a more objective assessment of CSR measure and covers multiple countries.

Is Earnings Quality Associated with Corporate Social Responsibility?

2012 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 761-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongtae Kim ◽  
Myung Seok Park ◽  
Benson Wier
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Top Executives ◽  
Accruals Quality ◽  
Corporate Social

ABSTRACT This study examines whether socially responsible firms behave differently from other firms in their financial reporting. Specifically, we question whether firms that exhibit corporate social responsibility (CSR) also behave in a responsible manner to constrain earnings management, thereby delivering more transparent and reliable financial information to investors as compared to firms that do not meet the same social criteria. We find that socially responsible firms are less likely (1) to manage earnings through discretionary accruals, (2) to manipulate real operating activities, and (3) to be the subject of SEC investigations, as evidenced by Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Releases against top executives. Our results are robust to (1) controlling for various incentives for CSR and earnings management, (2) considering various CSR dimensions and components, and (3) using alternative proxies for CSR and accruals quality. To the extent that we control for the potential effects of reputation and financial performance, our findings suggest that ethical concerns are likely to drive managers to produce high-quality financial reports. Data Availability: Data used in this study are available from public sources identified in the study.

The Maturing of the Japanese Economy: Corporate Social Responsibility Implications

1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard E. Wokutch ◽  
Jon M. Shepard
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Common Good ◽  
Japanese Economy ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Moral Standards ◽  
Working Together ◽  
The Common ◽  
Corporate Social

Abstract:This paper examines corporate social responsibility in Japan today within the context of the paradigm of the moral unity of business. Under this paradigm, business is expected to operate under the same set of moral standards operative in other societal institutions. We suggest that a micro moral unity characterizes Japan—business activity is linked to that society’s moral values but only within carefully circumscribed communities of interest. Because of the strains brought on by the maturing of the Japanese economy, the negative consequences of this micro moral unity are now becoming apparent. A new paradigm will be required to address these challenges. A possible foundation for such a paradigm, based on the emerging notion of kyosei (living and working together for the common good), is discussed.

Consistencies and discrepancies in corporate social responsibility reporting in the pharmaceutical industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mert Demir ◽  
Maung Min
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Pharmaceutical Industry ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to examine the consistencies and discrepancies in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting by analyzing the CSR reports of pharmaceutical companies. Despite the major role pharmaceutical companies play in the CSR field, our knowledge of the extent to which their disclosures provide comprehensive, material, credible and accurate information on their actual performances is limited because of a lack of sufficient literature on the CSR reporting practices of pharmaceutical companies. Design/methodology/approach The authors present a literature review that serves as the basis to develop the two key research questions: Do pharmaceutical companies publish comprehensive CSR reports? Are company reports that cover more material issues more comprehensive? Using the information on material CSR topics provided by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and CSR reporting quality scores by the CSR-Sustainability Monitor®, the authors analyzed the CSR reports of the world’s 15 leading pharmaceutical companies. A total of 11 material topics from SASB were mapped onto the corresponding contextual elements in the CSR-Sustainability Monitor. The Monitor evaluates CSR reports published by the world’s largest companies in terms of the degree of transparency and external verification of reporting. Findings The analyses revealed that while the pharmaceutical industry outperforms other industries in terms of the overall comprehensiveness of reporting, certain discrepancies exist among these companies in the content of their disclosures. Specifically, pharmaceutical companies beat the averages on multiple key CSR topics. However, while disclosures on mature areas such as environment and labor relations show some level of standardization, those focusing particularly on sensitive areas such as human rights and supply chain are far from being standardized. The authors also find that CSR reports that do not include all of SASB’s material topics are just as comprehensive as those that do. A detailed analysis of US and non-US companies separately further revealed that this result is valid for both groups of companies. Research limitations/implications Considering the voluntary nature of CSR reporting, pharmaceutical companies still resort to selective disclosure techniques to highlight their achievements in areas where they feel more confident while leaving out others that can have potential negative consequences on the company. These results underscore the evolving nature of CSR reporting in the pharmaceutical industry and call for more attention and further investigation from managers and researchers alike. Originality/value The originality and value of the research show that despite its rapid growth and wide recognition by different segments of society and business as an effective and promising concept, CSR reporting has not yet reached a point where its expected benefits are realized. Focusing on the disclosure side of the story, this paper tries to identify the extent to which the pharmaceutical industry appropriately addresses increasing societal demand for enhanced transparency on its sustainable business policies and practices.

The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Assurance in Investors' Judgments When Managerial Pay is Explicitly Tied to CSR Performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Brown-Liburd ◽  
Valentina L. Zamora
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
The United States ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Investment Level ◽  
Disclosure Credibility ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Managerial Pay

SUMMARY While corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports are intended to faithfully represent CSR performance, voluntarily disclosed CSR information tends to be positive, and demand is rising for both independent assurance and integrated reporting of CSR. However, the supply of CSR assurance is not widespread in the United States, and CSR performance information remains largely separated from supporting and governance information. We thus examine the role of CSR assurance when information on CSR investment level is integrated with information on whether managerial pay is explicitly tied to sustainability. While a firm may report a high level of CSR investment to indicate an authentic commitment to CSR, investors may become skeptical of reported information if managerial pay is explicitly tied to CSR performance. Such pay-for-CSR-performance provides managers with greater incentives to overinvest in CSR and thereby report strong CSR performance. In turn, investors will seek CSR assurance as a disclosure credibility signal. Accordingly, we find that, in the presence of pay-for-CSR-performance and high CSR investment level, investors' stock price assessments are greater only when CSR assurance is also present. Our findings highlight the importance of examining CSR disclosure factor interaction effects, and provide support for the expansion of CSR assurance and integrated reporting. Data Availability: Data available upon request.

The Effects of Corporate Social Responsibility and Wrongdoer Rank on Whistleblowing

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alisa G. Brink ◽  
C. Kevin Eller ◽  
Karen Y. Green
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Managerial Accounting ◽  
Structural Equation Analysis ◽  
Equation Analysis ◽  
External Reporting ◽  
Reporting Channel ◽  
Corporate Social

ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and wrongdoer rank on the likelihood of reporting fraud internally versus externally. Using a 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment with 90 managerial accounting professionals as participants, we manipulate a hypothetical firm's CSR status (CSR firm versus non-CSR firm) and wrongdoer rank within the firm (CFO versus Senior Accounting Manager). Participants in the CSR condition are more likely than participants in the non-CSR condition to report fraud through the internal reporting channel relative to the external reporting channel. Further, results show that internal reporting likelihood is greater when the wrongdoer is the Senior Accounting Manager than when the wrongdoer is the CFO. Structural equation analysis reveals that affective organizational commitment fully mediates the relation between CSR status and the preference to report internally. JEL Classifications: M40; M14. Data Availability: Data are available upon request from the authors.

Nonfinancial Disclosure and Analyst Forecast Accuracy: International Evidence on Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure

2012 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 723-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan S. Dhaliwal ◽  
Suresh Radhakrishnan ◽  
Albert Tsang ◽  
Yong George Yang
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Forecast Accuracy ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Financial Disclosure ◽  
Analyst Forecast ◽  
Nonfinancial Information ◽  
Firm Financial Performance ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACT We examine the relationship between disclosure of nonfinancial information and analyst forecast accuracy using firm-level data from 31 countries. We use the issuance of stand-alone corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports to proxy for disclosure of nonfinancial information. We find that the issuance of stand-alone CSR reports is associated with lower analyst forecast error. This relationship is stronger in countries that are more stakeholder-oriented—i.e., in countries where CSR performance is more likely to affect firm financial performance. The relationship is also stronger for firms and countries with more opaque financial disclosure, suggesting that issuance of stand-alone CSR reports plays a role complementary to financial disclosure. These results hold after we control for various factors related to firm financial transparency and other potentially confounding institutional factors. Collectively, our findings have important implications for academics and practitioners in understanding the function of CSR disclosure in financial markets. Data Availability: The data are publicly available from the sources identified in the paper.

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