CSR and Sustainable Growth in China’s Technology Firms between 2010 and 2021

Abstract

In this study, we examine the relationships between CSR (e.g., CSR aimed at employees, customers, suppliers, and governments) and firm sustainable growth, and how dysfunctional competition moderates these relationships. Based on resource dependence theory, we argue that CSR aimed at four chosen groups of stakeholders (e.g., employees, customers, suppliers, and governments) is positively related to firm sustainable growth and that the levels of dysfunctional competition will positively moderate these relationships. Our results, using a sample of technology firms in China, provide support for these arguments. We find that CSR aimed at employees, customers, suppliers, and governments is positively related to firm sustainable growth. In addition, using the contingence approach, we find that CSR aimed at the four chosen groups of stakeholders has a stronger positive relationship with firm sustainable growth when the level of dysfunctional competition is high than when it is low. Our findings have important theoretical and managerial implications, which are discussed in this study.