Empirical studies of the relationship
between CSR and financial performance
comprise essentially two types. The first us
es the event study methodology to assess the
short-run
financial impact (abnormal returns) when firms engage in either socially
responsible or irresponsible acts. The result
s of these studies have
been mixed. Wright
and Ferris (1997) discovered a negative rela
tionship; Posnikoff (1997) reported a positive
relationship, while Welch and Wazzan (
1999) found no relationship between CSR and
financial performance. Other studies, disc
ussed in McWilliams and Siegel (1997), are
similarly inconsistent concer
ning the relationship between
CSR and short run financial
returns.