An Empirical Analysis of the Strategic Use of Corporate Social Responsibility

25 Pages Posted: 11 May 2006

See all articles by Donald S. Siegel

Donald S. Siegel

Arizona State University-School of Public Affairs

Donald F. Vitaliano

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) - Department of Economics

Date Written: April 2006

Abstract

Recent theories of the strategic use of corporate social responsibility (CSR) emphasize the role of information asymmetry and how CSR is likely to be matrixed into a firm's product differentiation strategy. A key empirical implication of these theories is that firms selling experience or credence goods and services are more likely to be socially responsible than firms selling search goods. Using firm-level data, we report evidence that is consistent with this hypothesis.

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Search Goods, Experience Goods, Credence Goods

JEL Classification: M14, D21

Suggested Citation

Siegel, Donald S. and Vitaliano, Donald F., An Empirical Analysis of the Strategic Use of Corporate Social Responsibility (April 2006). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=900521 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.900521

Donald S. Siegel

Arizona State University-School of Public Affairs ( email )

411 North Central
Phoenix, AZ 85004
United States
6024961101 (Phone)

Donald F. Vitaliano (Contact Author)

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) - Department of Economics ( email )

110 8th Street
Troy, NY 12180
United States
518-276-2049 (Phone)
518-276-2235 (Fax)

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