Corporate Social Responsibility Knowledge Transfer in Interfirm Networks

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of the alliance network structural properties on corporate social responsibility (CSR) knowledge transfer in the interfirm network context. Alliances and partnerships allow firms to access valuable CSR knowledge. While most research investigating knowledge transfer focuses on the dyadic level, the current research investigates CSR knowledge transfer within the interfirm network context. By integrating data from multiple datasets, this study investigates how a firm centrality and brokerage in its interfirm network influence its acquisition of CSR knowledge. The findings of 298 firms show that firm betweenness centrality and network brokerage enhance CSR knowledge transfer from its alliance partners. To the contrary, the greater the number of alliance partners (i.e., degree centrality), the weaker is the firm’s ability to acquire CSR knowledge.