Examining drivers and outcomes of corporate social responsibility in agri-food firms

This study attempts to contribute to the debate on the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the financial performance (FP), image and reputation (IR) of agri-food firms, examining whether the legal form of organization (LFO) (cooperatives vs. capital firms) moderates these relationships. To this aim, we also consider the potential effects of two scarcely investigated factors that can determine firms' CSR orientation, that is, the capacity to absorb CSR-related knowledge and the perception that managers have of ethics and social responsibility. Using data from a sample of 107 trading firms in the agri-food sector in Almeria (Spain), we show that both factors play a decisive role in the firms' CSR orientation, which has been measured as a multidimensional construct. Also, the orientation towards socially and environmentally responsible practices positively affect IR of agri-food firms and their FP. The relationship with the FP is stronger in the case of cooperatives compared to capital firms. Key implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.

Automated summary

This study examines the impact of corporate social responsibility on the financial performance, image and reputation of agri-food firms. It also considers the moderating effect of the legal form of organization on these relationships, as well as the influence of CSR knowledge absorption and managerial perception of ethics and social responsibility. The findings suggest that both factors play a decisive role in firms' CSR orientation, and socially and environmentally responsible practices positively affect reputation and financial performance, particularly in cooperatives.