In the past, the relationship between CSR and corporate financial performance (CFP) has been the subject of contradictory studies. Actually, research has reported a mixed (i.e. positive, negative, and neutral) impact of CSR on CFP, mainly as a consequence of a significant variety in the conceptualization and operationalization of these two variables, different models, research methods, analyzed samples, measurement, and time periods considered. The controversial results of previous research, on the one hand, and the relevant insights that research on the impacts of CSR on CFP can give to both firms and stakeholders, on the other hand, ask for further analysis on this issue. This paper aims both at analyzing the impact that CSR, particularly Corporate Social Performance (CSP) has on CFP, and at identifying the direction of the relationship between them, in order to test the validity of the positive, negative and neutral arguments. Considering that only few studies have dealt with the Italian context, a sample of large Italian companies was analyzed. CSP has been operationalized considering company activities and initiatives in favor of main stakeholders. CFP was measured by a profitability indicator, such as ROE. We considered past profitability, concurrent profitability and subsequent one, in respect to the period of data gathering. The sample analyzed consisted of 88 large Italian manufacturing and non-manufacturing enterprises. We used a structural modeling approach (LISREL) to test our hypotheses. Research results highlight that past profitability has a positive relationship with both CSP and concurrent profitability. On the other hand, company activities and initiatives in favor of the environment have a positive relationship with subsequent profitability, while those in favor of employees and customers a negative one. We have not found any relationship between company activities and initiatives in favor of the community and investors and subsequent profitability, as well between concurrent profitability and CSP.
Corporate social responsibility and corporate financial performance: empirical evidence from large Italian enterprises
SONGINI, LUCREZIA;GNAN, LUCA
2011
Abstract
In the past, the relationship between CSR and corporate financial performance (CFP) has been the subject of contradictory studies. Actually, research has reported a mixed (i.e. positive, negative, and neutral) impact of CSR on CFP, mainly as a consequence of a significant variety in the conceptualization and operationalization of these two variables, different models, research methods, analyzed samples, measurement, and time periods considered. The controversial results of previous research, on the one hand, and the relevant insights that research on the impacts of CSR on CFP can give to both firms and stakeholders, on the other hand, ask for further analysis on this issue. This paper aims both at analyzing the impact that CSR, particularly Corporate Social Performance (CSP) has on CFP, and at identifying the direction of the relationship between them, in order to test the validity of the positive, negative and neutral arguments. Considering that only few studies have dealt with the Italian context, a sample of large Italian companies was analyzed. CSP has been operationalized considering company activities and initiatives in favor of main stakeholders. CFP was measured by a profitability indicator, such as ROE. We considered past profitability, concurrent profitability and subsequent one, in respect to the period of data gathering. The sample analyzed consisted of 88 large Italian manufacturing and non-manufacturing enterprises. We used a structural modeling approach (LISREL) to test our hypotheses. Research results highlight that past profitability has a positive relationship with both CSP and concurrent profitability. On the other hand, company activities and initiatives in favor of the environment have a positive relationship with subsequent profitability, while those in favor of employees and customers a negative one. We have not found any relationship between company activities and initiatives in favor of the community and investors and subsequent profitability, as well between concurrent profitability and CSP.
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