Social Networks of Firms and Corporate Social Responsibility

Abstract

This study investigates whether firms are more active at corporate social responsibility when they are more connected to others. Based on social network theory, this paper hypothesizes that firms, which are centrally located in social networks, tend to be more active at corporate social responsibility. Empirical analyses show that firms’ social networks are positively related with corporate social responsibility activities. Our findings are consistent with the view that a firm needs to meet the demand of various stakeholders in order to survive within a society.