Corporate social responsibility and financial performance: International evidence of the mediating role of reputation

The aim of this article is to explore both the direct and indirect effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on corporate financial performance (CFP). Specifically, the mediating role of corporate reputation (CR) on the relationship between CSR and CFP is examined. We empirically investigate a sample of 3274 listed firms over the period 2009-2016 drawn from 25 countries located at Europe, Asia, Africa, and South and North America. Using four OLS regressions, we evince on the one side that CSR has a positive and direct impact on CFP. On the other side, we show that CR mediates the relationship between CSR and CFP: CSR has a significant and positive impact on CR and that CR has a significant and positive influence on CFP. The results of this study add to CSR-related literature by providing international evidence and provide direction for a comparison across countries.