Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Do Ethics Pay?A Study of Indian Companies


Affiliations
1 Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Ethical corporate identity has become an important aspect of the global nature of the business. Ethical business behaviour is a way to a better world and may ultimately improve profits. This study establishes a link between different dimensions of ethical corporate identity and financial performance of the company in Indian context. Corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability reporting are taken as indicators of business ethics. It was found that ethics and financial performance are significantly and positively correlated, however, only sustainability reporting has a significant impact on marketing ratios of Tobin Q, price to book value, accounting ratios of return on sales, return on capital employed, and return on equity for selected Indian companies. Corporate ethics policy should sensitise moral and ethical behaviour of business leaders.

Keywords

Business Ethics, Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability Reporting, Financial Performance.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Abatecola, G., Caputo, A., Mari, M., & Poggesi, S. (2012). Relations among corporate governance, codes of conduct, and the profitability of public utilities: An empirical study of companies on the Italian stock exchange. International Journal of Management, 29(2), 611-625.
  • Ahmad, N. H., & Seet, P. S. (2009). Developing competitive advantage through ethical and SR practices: The case of SME in Australia and Malaysia. International Business Research., 2(4), 116-124.
  • Alessandro, B. (2003). Business ethics and profit: The impact of corporate social responsibility programs on corporate strategic planning. Cahiers du CEREN, 5(2003) 14-27.
  • Areal, N., & Carvalho, A. (2012). The world’s most ethical companies: Does the fame translate into gain? EFM Classification Code: 380 - Portfolio Performance Evaluation, 750 - Law, Ethics and Finance. Retrieved from http://www.efmaefm.org/0EFMAMEETINGS/EFMA%20ANNUAL%20MEETINGS/2012-Barcelona/papers/EFMA2012_0401_fullpaper.pdf
  • Aupperle, K. E., Carroll, A. B., & Hatfield, J. D. (1985). An empirical examination of the relationship between corporate social responsibility and profitability. Academy of Management Journal, 28(2), 446-463.
  • Azmi, R. A. (2006). Business Ethics as Competitive advantage for Companies in Globalization Era. Retrieved from http://ssrn.com/abstract=1010073.
  • Bauer, R., Guenster, N., & Otten, R. (2004). Overnance in Europe: The effecton stock returns, firm valueand performance. Journal of Asset Management, 5(2), 91-104.
  • Beiner, S., Drobetz, W., M. Schmid, M., & Zimmermann, H. (2006). An integrated framework of corporate governance and firm valuation. European Financial Managemennt, 249-283.
  • Berrone, P., Surroca, J., & Tribó Josep, A. (2005). Corporate ethical identity as determinant of firm performance: a test of the mediating role of stakeholder satisfaction. Working paper Business Economic Series, 8, 05-31. Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain.
  • Bhagat, S., & Bolton, B. (2008). Corporate governance and firm performance. Journal of Corporate Finance, 14(3), 257-273.
  • Blazovich, J. L. & Smith L. M. (2008). Ethical corporate citizenship: Does it pays?. Retrieved from http://ssrn.com/abstract=1125067
  • Blowfield, M., & Frynas, J. G. (2005). Setting new agendas: Critical perspectives on corporate social responsibility in the developing world. International Affairs, 81, 499-513.
  • Brammer, S. J., Brooks, C., & Pavelin, S. (2005). The Stock Performance of America’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens. Retrieved from: SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=834486 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.834486.
  • Brine, M., Brown, R., & Hackett, G. (2007). Corporate social responsibility and financial performance in the Australian context [online]. Economic Round-up, 47-58. Retrieved from http://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=254072917099846;res=IELBUS> ISSN: 1031-8968.
  • Brown, L. D., & Caylor, M. L. (2006). Corporate governance and firm valuation. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 25(4), 409-434.
  • Byus, K., Deis D., & Ouyang, B. (2010). Doing well by doing good: Corporate social responsibility and profitability. SAM Advanced Management Journal, 75(1), 44-55.
  • Cheung, Y.-L., Stouraitis, A., & Tan, W. (2010). Does the quality of corporate governance affect firm valuation and risk? Evidence from a corporate governance scorecard in Hong Kong. International Review of Finance, 10, 403-432. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2443.2010.01106.x
  • Cowton, C., & Crisp, R. (1998). Business ethics: Perspectives on the practice of theory. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Dheeraj, S., Shaheen, B., & James, M. S. (2009). An investigation of the effects of corporate ethical values on employee commitment and performance: Examining the moderating role of perceived fairness. Journal of Business Ethics, 89, 251-260
  • Edmans, A. (2008). Does the Stock Market Fully Value Intangibles? Employees Satisfaction and Equity Prices. Retrieved from http://ssrn.com/abstract=985735
  • Ekwueme, C. M., Egbunike, C. F., & Onyali, C. I. (2013). Benefits of triple bottom line disclosures on corporate performance: An exploratory study of corporate stake-holders. Journal of Management and Sustainability, 3(2), 79-91.
  • Epstein, M. J., & Roy M. J. (2001). Sustainability in Action: Identifying and Measuring the Key Performance Drivers. Long Range Planning 34(2001), 585-604. Retrieved from www.lrpjournal.com
  • Ferrell, O.C. (2004). Business ethics and customer satisfaction. Academy of Management Executive, 18(2), 126-129.
  • Foote, J., Gaffney, N., & R. Evans, J. (2010). Corporate social responsibility: Implications for performance excellence. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 21(8), 799-812.
  • Gartner, H. (2007). Responsibility at work: How leading professionals act (or don‘t act), p.232. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-0-7879-9475-4.
  • Goukasian, L., & Whitney, L. K. (2008). Corporate Socially Responsible Firms Perform Well! Evidence from Financial and Operating Performances. Working Paper Series. DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.972649.
  • Hosmer, L. T. (1994). Strategic planning as of ethics mattered. Strategic Management Journal, 15(Special Issue), 17-34.
  • Izzo, M. F., & Magnanelli, B. S. (2012). Does it Pay or Does Firm Pay? Retrieved from http://ssrn.com/abstract=1986131
  • Jackson, L., & Hua, N. (2009). Corporate social responsibility and financial performance: A snapshot from the lodging and gaming industries. Journal of Hospitality Financial Management, 63-78.
  • John, E. (1994). Expanded and Articulated in 1998: Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business.
  • Kansal, M., & Singh, S. (2012). Measurement of corporate social performance: An Indian perspective. Social Responsibility Journal, 8(4), 527-546. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/17471111211272101.
  • Klapper, L. F., & Love, I. (2002). Corporate Governance, Investor Protection, and Performancein Emerging Markets. World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 2818. Retrieved from: http://ssrn.com/abstract=303979 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.303979.
  • Kohli, N., & Saha, G. C. (2008). Corporate governance and valuations: Evidence from selected indian companies. International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, 5(3), 236-251. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/jdg.2008.10
  • Kraus, P., & Britzelmaier, B. (2012). Corporate governance and corporate performance: A German perspective. International Journal of Management Cases, 327-340.
  • Kumar, J. (2004). Does corporate governance influence firm value? Evidence from Indian firms. The Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance & Business Ventures, 9(2), 61-91. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1030136017?accountid=164287
  • Lubanga, A. (2003). Code of Conduct and Ethics on Perceived Financial Performance in Uganda Public Service: A Case of Ministry of Education and Sports. A Research Report Submitted to The Graduate and Research Centre of Makerere University Business School.
  • Mc Murrian, R. C., & Matulich, E. (2006). Building customer value and profitability with business ethics. Journal of Business & Economics Research, 4(11), 11-18.
  • Mittal, R. K., Sinha, N., & Singh, A. (2008). An analysis of linkage between economic value added and corporate social responsibility. Management Decision, 46(9), 1437-1443. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00251740810912037.
  • Misra, D., & Vishnani, S. (2012). Impact of corporate governance regulation on market risk. Vikalpa, 37(2), 19-32. Retrieved from http://www.vikalpa.com/pdf/articles/2012/Pages-from-Vikalpa37.2-19-32.pdf
  • Mohanty, P. (2003). Institutional Investors and Corporate Governance in India. National Stock Exchange of India Research Initiative Paper No. 15. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=353820 orhttp://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.353820.
  • Monda, B., & Giorgino, M. (2013). Corporate Governance and ShareholderValue in Listed Firms: An EmpiricalAnalysis in Five Countries (France, Italy,Japan, UK, USA). Retrieved from http://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/45422/.
  • Nguyen, T. H. N., (2011). Being Socially Responsible and Environmentally Friendly improves the Corporate Competitiveness and Profitability? Advances in Management, 4(3), 21-25.
  • Perera, L. C. J., Gonçalves, R., Antunes, M. T. P., & Imoniana, J.O. (2011). Sustainable Practice and Business Profitability in Brazil. Journal of International Business and Economics, 11(3), 14-24.
  • Prasanna, P. K. (2013). Impact of corporate governance regulations on Indian stock market volatility and efficiency. International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, 10(1), 1-12. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/jdg.2011.28.
  • Purlys, C. (2010). Influence of Business Ethics for Enterprise Competitiveness. 6th International Scientific Conference, May 13-14, Vilnius, Lithuania. Business and Management, 711-718. Retrieved from: http://www.vgtu.lt/en/editions/proceedings.
  • Rais, S., & Goedegebuurre, R. V. (2009). Corporate social performance and financial performance. The case of Indonesian firms in the manufacturing Industry. Problems and Perspectives in Management, 224-238.
  • Sarpal, S., & Singh, F. (2013). Board size and corporate performance: An empirical investigation. International Journal of Business Ethics in Developing Economies, 2(1), 1-8.
  • Shleifer, A. (2004). Does Competition Destroy Ethical Behavior? American Economic Review Papers and Proceedings, 94(2), 414-418.
  • Tata, S. V., & Sharma, M. (2012). Corporate governance mechanisms and firm performance: A study of indian firms. Journal of Commerce and Accounting Research, 1(1), 11-17. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1490668725?accountid=164287.
  • Tripathi, V., & Seth, S. (2014). The link between corporate social and financial performance of Nifty 50 companies in India. Aspirare, 1, 48-70.
  • Wang, K., Smith, K. T., & Smith, L. M., (2010). Does Corporate Reputation Translate into Higher Market Value? Retrieved from http://ssrn.com/abstract=1135331.
  • Ziegler, A., & Arx, v. U. (2008). The effect of CSR on stock performance: New evidence for the USA and Europe. Zurich: Center of Economic Research at ETH Zurich. Retrieved from: http://www.cer.ethz.ch/research/wp_08_85.pdf.

Abstract Views: 330

PDF Views: 0




  • Do Ethics Pay?A Study of Indian Companies

Abstract Views: 330  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Puneeta Goel
Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract


Ethical corporate identity has become an important aspect of the global nature of the business. Ethical business behaviour is a way to a better world and may ultimately improve profits. This study establishes a link between different dimensions of ethical corporate identity and financial performance of the company in Indian context. Corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability reporting are taken as indicators of business ethics. It was found that ethics and financial performance are significantly and positively correlated, however, only sustainability reporting has a significant impact on marketing ratios of Tobin Q, price to book value, accounting ratios of return on sales, return on capital employed, and return on equity for selected Indian companies. Corporate ethics policy should sensitise moral and ethical behaviour of business leaders.

Keywords


Business Ethics, Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability Reporting, Financial Performance.

References