Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure and Financial Performance of Firms in Kenya: A Stakeholder Approach

Abstract

Using panel data set from companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya, a developing country, this paper examines the potential influence of corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) on corporate financial performance. Using data from annual reports, CSRD information was collected for the period 2007-2015 using quantitative content analysis while financial performance data was collected for the period 2008-2016, a one-year lag behind CSRD data. Control variables were firm size, industry type and leverage. There was found to be no statistically significant impact of CSRD on financial performance. Since neutrality of the relationship is empirically proven, the conclusion is that CSRD has little or no contribution to financial performance and the implication is that effective financial reporting for companies listed on the NSE does not include reporting on CSR activities. Theoretically the study proposes that unequal controlling strengths of different stakeholders be assumed under the stakeholder theory for application within different national contexts in order for managers to be able to make the necessary tradeoffs among competing stakeholders.