Determinants and consequences of Corporate Social Responsibility Assurance: A systematic review of archival research

Research output: Journal contributionsScientific review articlesResearch

Authors


Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the governance-related and financial determinants and consequences of corporate social responsibility assurance (CSRA).
Design/methodology/approach

Based on a legitimacy theoretical framework and on the business case argument, the author conducts a structured literature review and includes 66 quantitative peer-reviewed empirical (archival) studies on key CSRA proxies (CSRA adoption, choice of CSR assuror and CSRA quality).
Findings

In line with the business case for CSRA, the literature review indicates that internal corporate governance, country-related governance and specific financial determinants as reporting, firm size and industry (sensitivity) have a positive impact on CSRA adoption.
Research limitations/implications

A detailed analysis of CSRA proxies is needed in future archival research to differentiate between symbolic and substantive use of CSRA. In view of the current regulatory initiatives on CSR reporting and their decision usefulness, future research should also analyze in greater depth CSRA proxies as moderator and mediator variables.
Practical implications

With regard to the increased stakeholder demand on CSRA after the financial crisis of 2008–2009, firms should be aware of the value-added of CSRA to increase the decision usefulness of their CSR reports and firm reputation.
Originality/value

The analysis makes useful contributions to prior literature by focussing on empirical quantitative (archival) research method, structuring research on the business case for CSRA with respect to its governance and financial determinants and consequences for firms and stressing moderator analysis in archival CSRA research.
Original languageEnglish
JournalSociety and Business Review
Volume16
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)1-25
Number of pages25
ISSN1746-5680
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21.01.2021

DOI