CSR committees and their effect on green practices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18559/ebr.2024.3.1548Keywords:
CSR committees, green practices, environmentally sensitive sectors, CSR-linked compensation, CSR strategyAbstract
This paper explores the relationship between the presence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) committees and the implementation of corporate green practices. Using data from 445 non-financial Japanese firms from 2010 to 2021, we find a positive impact of such sustainability committees on both integrated and three individual aspects of green initiatives, including internal pollution prevention, green supply chain management, and green product innovation. In addition, our evidence demonstrates a variation in the CSR committees—green practices nexus across diverse groups of firms, based on their exposures to environmental risks. Finally, we claim that CSR-linked compensation and CSR strategy can explain how CSR committees affect firms’ eco-friendly practices. Generally, our study confirms the crucial role of a governance mechanism—CSR committees—that business organisations and policymakers can exploit to promote sustainable behaviours.
Downloads
References
1. Aboelmaged, M. (2018). The drivers of sustainable manufacturing practices in Egyptian SMEs and their impact on competitive capabilities: A PLS-SEM model. Journal of Cleaner Production, 175, 207–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.053
View in Google Scholar
2. Alraja, M. N., Imran, R., Khashab, B. M., & Shah, M. (2022). Technological innovation, sustainable green practices and SMEs sustainable performance in times of crisis (COVID-19 pandemic). Information Systems Frontiers, 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796022-10250-z DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-022-10250-z
View in Google Scholar
3. Al-Shaer, H., & Zaman, M. (2018). Credibility of sustainability reports: The contribution of audit committees. Business Strategy and the Environment, 27(7), 973–986. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2046
View in Google Scholar
4. Aragón-Correa, J. A., Hurtado-Torres, N., Sharma, S., & García-Morales, V. J. (2008). Environmental strategy and performance in small firms: A resource-based perspective. Journal of Environmental Management, 86(1), 88–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.11.022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2006.11.022
View in Google Scholar
5. Aslam, S., Elmagrhi, M. H., Rehman, R. U., & Ntim, C. G. (2021). Environmental man- agement practices and financial performance using data envelopment analysis in Japan: The mediating role of environmental performance. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(4), 1655–1673. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2700 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2700
View in Google Scholar
6. Baraibar-Diez, E., & Odriozola, M. D. (2019). CSR committees and their effect on ESG performance in UK, France, Germany, and Spain. Sustainability, 11(18), 5077. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11185077 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su11185077
View in Google Scholar
7. Baron, R., & Kenny, D. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(6), 1173– 1182. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.51.6.1173
View in Google Scholar
8. Bifulco, G. M., Savio, R., Paolone, F., & Tiscini, R. (2023). The CSR committee as moderator for the ESG score and market value. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 30(6), 3231–3241. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2549 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2549
View in Google Scholar
9. Biswas, P. K., Mansi, M., & Pandey, R. (2018). Board composition, sustainability committee and corporate social and environmental performance in Australia. Pacific Accounting Review, 30(4), 517–540. https://doi.org/10.1108/PAR-12-2017-0107 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/PAR-12-2017-0107
View in Google Scholar
10. Brammer, S., & Pavelin, S. (2008). Factors influencing the quality of corporate environmental disclosure. Business Strategy and the Environment, 17(2), 120–136. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.506 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.506
View in Google Scholar
11. Burke, J. J., Hoitash, R., & Hoitash, U. (2019). The heterogeneity of board-level sustainability committees and corporate social performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 154(4), 1161–1186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3453-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-017-3453-2
View in Google Scholar
12. Chege, S. M., & Wang, D. (2020). The influence of technology innovation on SME performance through environmental sustainability practices in Kenya. Technology in Society, 60, 101210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.101210 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.101210
View in Google Scholar
13. Córdova, C., Zorio-Grima, A., & Merello, P. (2018). Carbon emissions by South American companies: Driving factors for reporting decisions and emissions reduction. Sustainability, 10(7), 2411. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072411 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su10072411
View in Google Scholar
14. De Villiers, C., Jia, J., & Li, Z. (2022). Corporate social responsibility: A review of empirical research using Thomson Reuters Asset4 data. Accounting & Finance, 62, 4523–4568. https://doi.org/10.1111/acfi.13004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/acfi.13004
View in Google Scholar
15. Dixon-Fowler, H. R., Ellstrand, A. E., & Johnson, J. L. (2017). The role of board environmental committees in corporate environmental performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 140, 423–438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2664-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2664-7
View in Google Scholar
16. Erauskin-Tolosa, A., Zubeltzu-Jaka, E., Heras-Saizarbitoria, I., & Boiral, O. (2020). ISO 14001, EMAS and environmental performance: A meta-analysis. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(3), 1145–1159. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2422 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2422
View in Google Scholar
17. Fan, P., Qian, X., & Wang, J. (2023). Does gender diversity matter? Female directors and firm carbon emissions in Japan. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 77, 101931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacfin.2022.101931 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacfin.2022.101931
View in Google Scholar
18. Garcia, A. S., Mendes-Da-Silva, W., & Orsato, R. J. (2017). Sensitive industries produce better ESG performance: Evidence from emerging markets. Journal of Cleaner Production, 150, 135–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.180 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.02.180
View in Google Scholar
19. García Martín, C. J., & Herrero, B. (2020). Do board characteristics affect environmental performance? A study of EU firms. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27(1), 74–94. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1775 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1775
View in Google Scholar
20. García-Meca, E., & Martínez-Ferrero, J. (2021). Is SDG reporting substantial or symbolic? An examination of controversial and environmentally sensitive indus- tries. Journal of Cleaner Production, 298, 126781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcle-pro.2021.126781 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126781
View in Google Scholar
21. Han, J. J., Kim, H. J., & Yu, J. (2016). Empirical study on relationship between corporate social responsibility and financial performance in Korea. Asian Journal of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, 1, 61–76. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41180-016-0002-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41180-016-0002-3
View in Google Scholar
22. Helfaya, A., & Moussa, T. (2017). Do board’s corporate social responsibility strategy and orientation influence environmental sustainability disclosure? UK evi- dence. Business Strategy and the Environment, 26(8), 1061–1077. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1960 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1960
View in Google Scholar
23. Hwang, B. N., Huang, C. Y., & Wu, C. H. (2016). A TOE approach to establish a green supply chain adoption decision model in the semiconductor industry. Sustainability, 8(2), 168. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8020168 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su8020168
View in Google Scholar
24. Kend, M. (2015). Governance, firm-level characteristics and their impact on the client’s voluntary sustainability disclosures and assurance decisions. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 6(1), 54–78. https://doi.org/10.1108/ SAMPJ-12-2013-0061 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-12-2013-0061
View in Google Scholar
25. Kilian, T., & Hennigs, N. (2014). Corporate social responsibility and environmental reporting in controversial industries. European Business Review, 26(1), 79–101. https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-04-2013-0080 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-04-2013-0080
View in Google Scholar
26. King, A., & Lenox, M. (2002). Exploring the locus of profitable pollution reduction. Management Science, 48(2), 289–299. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.48.2.289.258 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.48.2.289.258
View in Google Scholar
27. Konadu, R. (2017). Gender diversity impact on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Economics and Business Review, 3(1), 127–148. https://doi.org/10.18559/ebr.2017.1.7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18559/ebr.2017.1.7
View in Google Scholar
28. Liao, L., Luo, L., & Tang, Q. (2015). Gender diversity, board independence, environmental committee and greenhouse gas disclosure. The British Accounting Review, 47(4), 409–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2014.01.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2014.01.002
View in Google Scholar
29. Lin, C. S., Chang, R. Y., & Dang, V. T. (2015). An integrated model to explain how corporate social responsibility affects corporate financial performance. Sustainability, 7(7), 8292–8311. https://doi.org/10.3390/su7078292 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su7078292
View in Google Scholar
30. Lin, R. J., Tan, K. H., & Geng, Y. (2013). Market demand, green product innovation, and firm performance: Evidence from Vietnam motorcycle industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 40, 101–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.01.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.01.001
View in Google Scholar
31. Mackenzie, C. (2007). Boards, incentives and corporate social responsibility: The case for a change of emphasis. Corporate Governance: An International Review, 15(5), 935–943. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8683.2007.00623.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8683.2007.00623.x
View in Google Scholar
32. Miroshnychenko, I., Barontini, R., & Testa, F. (2017). Green practices and financial performance: A global outlook. Journal of Cleaner Production, 147, 340–351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.058 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.058
View in Google Scholar
33. Orazalin, N. (2020). Do board sustainability committees contribute to corporate envi- ronmental and social performance? The mediating role of corporate social responsibility strategy. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(1), 140–153. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2354 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2354
View in Google Scholar
34. Pucheta-Martinez, M., & Gallego-Alvarez, I. (2019). An international approach of the relationship between board attributes and the disclosure of corporate social responsibility issues. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 26(3), 612–627. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1707 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1707
View in Google Scholar
35. Qin, X., Godil, D. I., Sarwat, S., Yu, Z., Khan, S. A. R., & Shujaat, S. (2022). Green practices in food supply chains: Evidence from emerging economies. Operations Management Research, 15, 62–75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-021-00187-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-021-00187-y
View in Google Scholar
36. Radu, C., & Smaili, N. (2022). Alignment versus monitoring: An examination of the effect of the CSR committee and CSR-linked executive compensation on CSR performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 180, 145–163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04904-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04904-2
View in Google Scholar
36. Richardson, A. J., & Welker, M. (2001). Social disclosure, financial disclosure and the cost of equity capital. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 26(7–8), 597–616. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0361-3682(01)00025-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0361-3682(01)00025-3
View in Google Scholar
37. Rodrigue, M., Magnan, M., & Cho, C. H. (2013). Is environmental governance substantive or symbolic? An empirical investigation. Journal of Business Ethics, 114, 107–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1331-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1331-5
View in Google Scholar
38. Román, C. C., Zorio-Grima, A., & Merello, P. (2021). Economic development and CSR assurance: Important drivers for carbon reporting… yet inefficient drivers for carbon management? Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 163, 120424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120424 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120424
View in Google Scholar
39. Ruhnke, K., & Gabriel, A. (2013). Determinants of voluntary assurance on sustainability reports: An empirical analysis. Journal of Business Economics, 83(9), 1063– 1091. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11573-013-0686-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11573-013-0686-0
View in Google Scholar
40. Stratling, R. (2007). The legitimacy of corporate social responsibility. Corporate Ownership and Control, 4(4), 65–73. https://www.virtusinterpress.org/IMG/pdf/cocv4i4p6.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.22495/cocv4i4p6
View in Google Scholar
41. Shaukat, A., Qiu, Y., & Trojanowski, G. (2016). Board attributes, corporate social responsibility strategy, and corporate environmental and social performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 135, 569–585. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2460-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2460-9
View in Google Scholar
42. Velte, P., & Stawinoga, M. (2020). Do chief sustainability officers and CSR committees influence CSR-related outcomes? A structured literature review based on empirical-quantitative research findings. Journal of Management Control, 31(4), 333– 377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00187-020-00308-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00187-020-00308-x
View in Google Scholar
43. Walls, J. L., Berrone, P., & Phan, P. H. (2012). Corporate governance and environmental performance: Is there really a link? Strategic Management Journal, 33(8), 885– 913. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.1952 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.1952
View in Google Scholar
44. Zhu, Q., Sarkis, J., Cordeiro, J. J., & Lai, K. H. (2008). Firm-level correlates of emergent green supply chain management practices in the Chinese context. Omega, 36(4), 577–591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2006.11.009 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2006.11.009
View in Google Scholar
Downloads
Published
Versions
- 2024-09-27 (2)
- 2024-09-26 (1)
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Ngoc Vuong
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.