Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Canadian family firms

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in Canadian family firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is an empirical work using a sample of Canadian listed companies for eight years between 2010 and 2017.

Findings

Relying on five measures for CSR, this paper finds that, compared with other listed firms, family listed firms have a higher level of CSR engagement. Further tests show that family-named family firms engage in more CSR activities; family firms with second largest shareholders engage in more CSR activities; and family firms affiliated with large business groups engage in more CSR activities. However, family firms whose family members are CEOs, presidents or board chairpersons engage in less CSR engagement.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the current CSR literature by highlighting the importance of family firm heterogeneity in shaping a firm’s CSR practices. It focuses on four characteristics of Canadian family firms that are potentially connected to CSR, namely, family-named family firms; family firms with family members being CEOs, presidents or chairpersons; family firms with second largest shareholders and family firms affiliated with large business groups.

Citation

Zeng, T. (2021), "Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Canadian family firms", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 17 No. 5, pp. 703-718. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-12-2019-0410