The Effect of National Culture on Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from Chinese Red Culture

In this study, based on institution theory and social identity theory, we validate the normative role of national culture as an informal institution on corporate social responsibility (CSR) from the perspective of red culture. By analyzing the panel sample of Chinese listed companies from 2012 to 2020, we investigated the effect of red culture on CSR, and the changes in the influence of red culture on CSR under different institutional conditions. Based on the institutional background of China, we find that red culture atmosphere is positive and significantly affects CEO’s CSR behavior. We further find that the market intermediary organizations and legal system environment index and foreign culture shock weaken the positive relationship between red culture and CSR, and the transportation convenience enhances the influence of red culture on CSR, the results are largely confirmed by a series of robustness tests. Our research has contributed to propagandizing the national culture, enhancing cultural confidence, exalting the cohesion and centripetal force of the nation, and improving governance and CSR performance in theory and practice.

本研究基于制度理论与社会认同理论，从红色文化视角出发，验证作为非正式制度的民族文化对企业社会责任（Corporate Social Responsibility，CSR）的规范作用。通过分析2012至2020年中国上市公司的面板样本，本研究探究了红色文化对企业社会责任的影响，以及不同制度情境下红色文化对企业社会责任影响的变化情况。基于中国的制度背景，研究发现红色文化氛围对首席执行官（Chief Executive Officer，CEO）的企业社会责任行为具有显著正向影响。本研究进一步发现，市场中介组织、法治环境指数以及外来文化冲击会弱化红色文化与企业社会责任间的正向关联，而交通便利性则会强化红色文化对企业社会责任的影响；上述结论通过一系列稳健性检验得到了充分验证。本研究在理论与实践层面均有助于弘扬民族文化、增强文化自信、提升民族凝聚力与向心力，同时完善公司治理并提升企业社会责任表现。