Best practice example of CSR and S&E engagement in emerging economies: analysis of a case study based in China

Purpose The paper analyses social and environmental engagement, stakeholders' relations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies/options along with their underlying mechanisms of firms operating in China. Design/methodology/approach It does this through the analysis of a unique case study using data collected from internal members and external stakeholders of the company framed within stakeholder theory. Findings Within the Aguinis and Glavas (2012) framework, the results show that the company's resources and values can act as a mediator, their high visibility and scale can act as a moderator, and their self-regulation can act as a predictor in weak institutional contexts. Also, the findings show that employees' perceptions of visionary leadership can act as a mediator, and that the alignment in the vision/values/beliefs of the chief executive officer with those of the shareholders can act as moderators. Originality/value The paper intends to contribute to the literature on CSR in China by analysing a specific type of investor, the socially responsible investor, neglected in the CSR literature, and by studying multilevel (individual/organisational/institutional) social and environmental engagement, stakeholders' relations and CSR strategies/options in an evolving institutional environment.