Research Briefs

The act of using an environmentally friendly product improves satisfaction with the product

RESEARCH BRIEF - Using an environmentally friendly product enhances a consumer’s enjoyment and satisfaction when compared to using conventional products.

Strong corporate citizenship performance linked to increased profitability, innovation, and firm value

RESEARCH BRIEF - Companies with higher corporate citizenship scores invest more efficiently, are more innovative, and improve their financial performance and value.

Framing the reasons for inclusion and diversity policies can increase levels of support

RESEARCH BRIEF - Companies should be mindful of how they frame messaging around inclusion and diversity initiatives, as there are differences in how men and women respond to such messaging.

Communications tone can reflect a firm’s likelihood to discriminate

RESEARCH BRIEF - A company that emphasizes performance without indicating expectations for culture in its corporate communications is more likely than firm that emphasizes long-term growth to have managers who may discriminate.

When do appointments of corporate sustainability executives affect shareholder value?

RESEARCH BRIEF - Under certain conditions, the appointment of a corporate sustainability executive can positively impact a firm’s financial and operating performance.

Companies with a strong corporate citizenship reputation may avoid brand damage during crisis

RESEARCH BRIEF - When consumers perceive a company facing a reputational crisis to be acting in its own self-interest, they are more likely to have negative feelings toward the brand and recommend that others do not use its products.

Consumer and regulatory pressures can improve corporate environmental practices—if the culture is right

RESEARCH BRIEF - The extent to which pressure from consumers and regulators impact environmental product and process innovations depends on the culture of the company.

Institutional investors lead to improved corporate citizenship performance

RESEARCH BRIEF - Institutional shareholders encourage the adoption of corporate citizenship practices and increased corporate citizenship performance in their portfolio companies by limiting social and environmental risks among their portfolio firms.

In emerging economies, corporate citizenship improves local reputation, leads to increased economic value

RESEARCH BRIEF -In emerging economies, multinational companies’ use of strategic corporate citizenship—especially when ensuring high visibility among stakeholders—increases economic value by improving local reputation.

Global differences in stakeholder engagement: Individualized vs. collective

RESEARCH BRIEF - There are cross-cultural differences in social norms that influence corporate citizenship approaches.

Firms may invest in corporate citizenship to insure against short selling—and it can work

RESEARCH BRIEF - When firms are exposed to a heightened risk of being targeted for short selling, corporate citizenship initiatives, especially those that relate to employees and customers may lower the risk of predatory trading that can push prices down.

Cause marketing purchases linked to increased consumer indulgence

RESEARCH BRIEF - Consumers who make a cause marketing purchase are more likely to experience a “warm glow” which enables indulgent behavior.