Looking for evidence of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and corporate financial performance in an emerging market
Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration
ISSN: 1757-4323
Article publication date: 27 September 2011
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP) of Malaysian public listed companies (PLCs) as an emerging market setting.
Design/methodology/approach
A longitudinal data analysis with a large‐sample testing was carried out from 200 Malaysian PLCs by using panel data analysis during a seven‐years period. The statistical power with fixed effect and random effect model was utilized.
Findings
Results of earlier estimations indicate that there are positive and significant related of the CSR on CFP. Two of the CSR dimensions, namely employee relations and community involvement, were found to be positively related to financial performance. This proves that CSR practices can be considered as effort to enhance the financial performance of PLCs in Malaysia. The results also reveal that there is limited evidence of the relationship between CSR and CFP in the longterm.
Practical implications
These findings suggest that Malaysian PLCs should be involved consistently in their CSR practices because CSR has a significant impact on improving financial performance in Malaysian PLCs.
Originality/value
The majority of studies on CSR in Malaysia pertain to the analysis of such reporting and motivations of managers toward CSR practices. This study conducts a comprehensive empirical research on the relationship between CSR and CFP in Malaysian PLCs.
Keywords
Citation
Saleh, M., Zulkifli, N. and Muhamad, R. (2011), "Looking for evidence of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and corporate financial performance in an emerging market", Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Administration, Vol. 3 No. 2, pp. 165-190. https://doi.org/10.1108/17574321111169849
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited