The Association between Different CSR-Reporting Practices and Firm Performance

The study examines the association between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting practices and firm performance by simultaneously studying five different CSR reporting practices: CSR integration, disclosure of the value-creation model, use of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), disclosure of Green House Gas emissions (GHG), and disclosure of both qualitative and quantitative (CSR-targets). Our results indicate a positive association between CSR integration and the reporting of both qualitative and quantitative CSR-targets and future accounting-based performance, while the reporting of GHG emissions is positively associated
with future market-based performance. Overall, our results show that the association between CSR reporting and firm performance hinges crucially on both the reporting practices and the aspect of performance being evaluated, hence suggesting that there is no one-type-fits-all solution to best CSR reporting practices