Corporate social responsibility and firm performance in Thailand

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between corporate social responsibility disclosure and firm performance in publicly-listed firms in Thailand using a stakeholder theory, proposed by R. Edward Freeman (1984). The theory identifies stakeholders in six groups: shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, the local community and the natural environment. Data were collected based on the content analysis from annual reports published by the 394 companies in the Stock Exchange of Thailand 2014. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify the relationship between CSR and firm performance. The study found that all six group dimensions of CSR disclosure are positively related to return on assets (ROA), particularly disclosure in dimensions such as investors and customers. This study furthers understanding of CSR disclosure and its consequences.