Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP): a panel data analysis of BSE 500 companies in India

Abstract Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a significant focus in the corporate world, emphasizing ethical practices and sustainable development. CSR is important because it ensures that businesses act ethically, contribute positively to economic growth, and improve societal well-bein...

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Main Authors: Shahin Sultana Mohammed, Musah Mohammed Saeed, Manisha Kumari, Premkumar Borugadda, Nafeesathul Basariya Mohamed Ismail
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-04-01
Series:Discover Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01113-z
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author Shahin Sultana Mohammed
Musah Mohammed Saeed
Manisha Kumari
Premkumar Borugadda
Nafeesathul Basariya Mohamed Ismail
author_facet Shahin Sultana Mohammed
Musah Mohammed Saeed
Manisha Kumari
Premkumar Borugadda
Nafeesathul Basariya Mohamed Ismail
author_sort Shahin Sultana Mohammed
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a significant focus in the corporate world, emphasizing ethical practices and sustainable development. CSR is important because it ensures that businesses act ethically, contribute positively to economic growth, and improve societal well-being, addressing stakeholder interests while fostering trust and reputation. It is imperative in India due to legal mandates under the Companies Act, of 2013, requiring companies to allocate a portion of profits to CSR, thus aligning corporate goals with national priorities like education, healthcare, and sustainability. CSR's role in addressing climate change is crucial, especially in India, a country vulnerable to extreme weather, where companies contribute to reforestation, renewable energy, and community resilience projects, supporting India’s commitments to global climate goals such as the Paris Agreement and net-zero targets. This study explores the interplay between CSR and CFP within BSE 500 companies in India, offering insights into their interconnected impact on business sustainability and profitability. The study analyzed data from the annual reports of 204 Indian firms from 2016 to 2023, yielding a dataset of 1,632 observations. The research design was explanatory, and the results indicate that CSR has no significant impact on CFP. The findings that CSR has no significant impact on CFP suggest several policy implications. Policymakers should focus on creating frameworks that encourage companies to align CSR activities with their core business strategies, ensuring these initiatives are both impactful and economically beneficial. Additionally, there is a need to enhance stakeholder awareness and engagement, so that CSR efforts are more valued in the market. Regulatory bodies might also consider offering incentives for innovative and sustainable CSR projects that demonstrate measurable economic and social benefits. Lastly, fostering transparency and improved reporting standards for CSR activities could help bridge the gap between CSR investments and their perceived financial returns.
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spelling doaj-art-0894c0bf5ac2420b96f178e1d08cbd6a2025-08-20T03:14:07ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-04-016111510.1007/s43621-025-01113-zCorporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP): a panel data analysis of BSE 500 companies in IndiaShahin Sultana Mohammed0Musah Mohammed Saeed1Manisha Kumari2Premkumar Borugadda3Nafeesathul Basariya Mohamed Ismail4Department of Management, Paari School of Business (PSB), SRM University-APDepartment of Accounting & Finance, Knust School of Business (KSB), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & TechnologyNational Institute for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (Ni-Msme)Department of Computer Science and Engineering, SRM University-APDepartment of Management, Paari School of Business (PSB), SRM University-APAbstract Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a significant focus in the corporate world, emphasizing ethical practices and sustainable development. CSR is important because it ensures that businesses act ethically, contribute positively to economic growth, and improve societal well-being, addressing stakeholder interests while fostering trust and reputation. It is imperative in India due to legal mandates under the Companies Act, of 2013, requiring companies to allocate a portion of profits to CSR, thus aligning corporate goals with national priorities like education, healthcare, and sustainability. CSR's role in addressing climate change is crucial, especially in India, a country vulnerable to extreme weather, where companies contribute to reforestation, renewable energy, and community resilience projects, supporting India’s commitments to global climate goals such as the Paris Agreement and net-zero targets. This study explores the interplay between CSR and CFP within BSE 500 companies in India, offering insights into their interconnected impact on business sustainability and profitability. The study analyzed data from the annual reports of 204 Indian firms from 2016 to 2023, yielding a dataset of 1,632 observations. The research design was explanatory, and the results indicate that CSR has no significant impact on CFP. The findings that CSR has no significant impact on CFP suggest several policy implications. Policymakers should focus on creating frameworks that encourage companies to align CSR activities with their core business strategies, ensuring these initiatives are both impactful and economically beneficial. Additionally, there is a need to enhance stakeholder awareness and engagement, so that CSR efforts are more valued in the market. Regulatory bodies might also consider offering incentives for innovative and sustainable CSR projects that demonstrate measurable economic and social benefits. Lastly, fostering transparency and improved reporting standards for CSR activities could help bridge the gap between CSR investments and their perceived financial returns.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01113-zCorporate social responsibilityCorporate financial performanceResource dependence theoryPanel dataIndia
spellingShingle Shahin Sultana Mohammed
Musah Mohammed Saeed
Manisha Kumari
Premkumar Borugadda
Nafeesathul Basariya Mohamed Ismail
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP): a panel data analysis of BSE 500 companies in India
Discover Sustainability
Corporate social responsibility
Corporate financial performance
Resource dependence theory
Panel data
India
title Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP): a panel data analysis of BSE 500 companies in India
title_full Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP): a panel data analysis of BSE 500 companies in India
title_fullStr Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP): a panel data analysis of BSE 500 companies in India
title_full_unstemmed Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP): a panel data analysis of BSE 500 companies in India
title_short Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP): a panel data analysis of BSE 500 companies in India
title_sort corporate social responsibility csr and corporate financial performance cfp a panel data analysis of bse 500 companies in india
topic Corporate social responsibility
Corporate financial performance
Resource dependence theory
Panel data
India
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01113-z
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