Seeking legitimacy through CSR reporting: Evidence from China

This study finds that Chinese firms that issue high-quality corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports are perceived as having greater legitimacy (operationalized by government endorsement and media endorsement) by the Chinese government and media. Chinese firms that issue higher-quality CSR reports subsequently receive higher levels of government endorsement and media endorsement, which in turn lead to better financial performance. The positive relationship between the quality of a firm’s CSR disclosure and subsequent financial performance is mediated by the firm’s perceived level of legitimacy. The mediating role of government endorsement is stronger for firms based in underdeveloped regions.