The impact of social responsibility on corporate financial performance: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been gaining relevance in the academic, business, and political worlds, the relationship between CSR and performance remains unclear. This study provides a better understanding of the relationship between companies' financial performance and CSR activities. In other words, can the allocation of company resources to address social, environmental, and governance issues be a source of synergy to increase business value and improve financial performance for the benefit of the company and its stakeholders? To shed new light on this issue, we mapped this topic via a systematic review and content analysis of 53 articles identified in the confluence between CSR and financial performance from 1984 to 2021. Our study suggests that CSR directly impacts a company's financial performance, and this impact becomes more significant as the company's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores improve. Moreover, we must note that this is a comprehensive study whose results include analyses of companies from the world's largest stock market indices, mutual funds, sustainable portfolios, non-sustainable portfolios, regions, asset classes for ESG investing, emerging markets, developed and developing countries, among others. Additionally, this study provides a path for future research.