Advancements of Corporate Social Responsibility Practice in China : The Case of the Impact of Financial and Organizational Management Routine on CSR

Abstract

This dissertation comprehensively explores the evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices in China. Focusing on the past two decades, the study delves into the micro-level dynamics of enterprises, systematically substantiating the influence of corporate accounting/finance and organization/management routines on CSR. Since China's entry into the World Trade Organization, its rapid economic development has brought both prosperity and challenges. Chinese enterprises, facing intense market competition, have contributed significantly to societal wealth. However, negative externalities like environmental pollution and breaches of trust have emerged. A lack of understanding and indifference toward social responsibility exacerbate the imbalance between economic and social development. This study aims to address gaps in theoretical CSR research in China, focusing on understanding social responsibility, current CSR fulfillment status, factors influencing CSR behavior, and the impact on business performance. This doctoral dissertation investigates the intricacies of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices in China, emphasizing the impact of financial and organizational management routines on CSR. The study employs a systematic approach, combining theoretical analysis, empirical research, and case studies. With China's integration into the global economy, there's a pressing need to align corporate strategies with CSR principles. Existing CSR research in China primarily involves normative approaches, lacking empirical depth. The study seeks to bridge this gap by exploring how enterprises understand, fulfill, and impact CSR. The research employs a multifaceted approach, starting with a theoretical analysis of CSR concepts and theories. It then delves into empirical research, utilizing statistical methods to analyze CSR-related data spanning two decades. The study also explores CSR development trends under various macro-environmental contexts. Unlike previous studies which predominantly explored the direct relationship between CSR and financial/organizational performance from financial, economic, and governance perspectives, this research pioneers a management-focused perspective, delving into the micro-level routine behaviors of enterprises in accounting/finance and organization/management. The approach uncovers the intricate interaction and impact of routine behaviors on CSR. Earlier research mainly relied on finance-centric perspectives and lacked comprehensive assessment tools for CSR fulfillment. This dissertation introduces advanced statistical methods such as structural equation modeling, ANOVA, factor analysis, and regression analysis. It designs a robust assessment index system, incorporating Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (SCSR) concepts. This method evaluates CSR fulfillment performance across various dimensions, offering a nuanced understanding of its impact. This study expands CSR knowledge by analyzing influencing factors from micro, meso, and macro perspectives, embracing economics, management, behavior, competence, and the environment. It introduces a novel process analysis framework, emphasizing "Influencing Factors - Behavioral Performance - Influencing Outcome." Furthermore, the research constructs a new CSR development strategy and associated model, addressing the macro-environmental background of the digital economy and the "dual-carbon" target. CSR research often approached influencing factors from singular perspectives, lacking a comprehensive framework. This study expands CSR knowledge by analyzing influencing factors from micro, meso, and macro perspectives, embracing economics, management, behavior, competence, and the environment. It introduces a novel process analysis framework, emphasizing "Influencing Factors - Behavioral Performance - Influencing Outcome." Furthermore, the research constructs a new CSR development strategy and associated model, addressing the macro-environmental background of the digital economy and the "dual-carbon" target. The research concludes with strategic suggestions for strengthening corporate CSR practices and promoting the construction and sustainable development of China's CSR system. The strategic model proposed in response to various macro backgrounds, including the Covid-19 Epidemic and digital economy transformation, offers a roadmap for enhancing CSR practices in Chinese enterprises. Additionally, the exploration of the evolution path from CSR to ESG provides new perspectives and standards for evaluating corporate sustainable development. This research contributes to CSR theory by offering innovative perspectives, methodologies, and analytical frameworks. Its findings are crucial for guiding CSR practices in Chinese enterprises and shaping future research in this dynamic field. This dissertation achieves groundbreaking contributions to CSR research in China by introducing a fresh perspective, innovative measurement methods, and advanced theoretical frameworks. The results not only offer valuable insights for CSR management practice but also serve as a foundation for future research in this evolving field.