Value-Enhancing Social Responsibility: Market Reaction to Donations by Family vs. Non-family Firms with Religious CEOs
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
5-1-2020
Abstract
Using a signaling framework, we argue that ethical behavior as evidenced by charitable donations is viewed more positively by investors when seen not to be based on self-serving motives but rather on authentic generosity that builds moral capital. The affirmed religiosity of CEOs may make their ethical position more credible, while their embeddedness within a family business suggests that CEOs are backed by powerful owners with long-time horizons and a desire to build moral capital with stakeholders. We find in a study of market responses to 1572 corporate donations by S&P 1500 firms that financial markets react more positively to charitable initiatives from firms with religion-declared CEOs, but only if these are family businesses.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Journal of Business Ethics
Volume
163
Issue
4
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Maung, Min, Danny Miller, Zhenyang Tang, and Xiaowei Xu. "Value-Enhancing Social Responsibility: Market Reaction to Donations by Family vs. Non-family Firms with Religious CEOs." Journal of Business Ethics 163, 4 (2020): 745-758. doi: 10.1007/s10551-019-04381-8.