The Effects of Socially Responsible Activities on the Management Performance of Internationally Diversified Firms: Evidence from Korean Small- and Medium-Sized Firms

Purpose - It seems common sense that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a key driver of business sustainability. Nevertheless, there has been little research on the performance of socially responsible activities, including economic and environmentally responsibility activities, in internationally diversified firms. Design/methodology - The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of CSR activities on management performance. For this evaluation, an empirical analysis was conducted with total of 2,520 cases, selected from companies listed on the Korea Composite Stock Price Index market for six years from 2013 to 2018. As proxies for management performance, financial data such as a total asset net profit ratio and a total asset operating ratio were used. A multivariate regression analysis was conducted to test hypotheses. Findings - The results of this analysis indicated that firms in the CSR outstanding group were ranked significantly higher than other groups in management performance. In addition, CSR activities of internationally diversified firms positively influenced the total asset net profit ratio and total asset operating ratio. Originality/value - The results suggest that the CSR activities of these firms can play a significant role in enhancing management performance in the economic status of Korea, where the degree of export dependency is high.