Making sense of conflicting empirical findings: A meta-analytic review of the relationship between corporate environmental and financial performance

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Abstract

Despite the tremendous number of publications concerned with the relationship between corporate environmental performance (CEP) and corporate financial performance (CFP), inconsistent empirical findings persist and the overall picture remains vague. Drawing on a hybrid theoretical framework (combining the theoretical reasoning of the natural-resource-based view (NRBV) with instrumental stakeholder and slack resources arguments), we address the apparent lack of consensus by meta-analytically integrating the findings of 149 studies. We pay particular attention to two highly material issues: the direction of causality and the multidimensionality of the focal constructs. Meta-analytic results indicate that there is a positive and partially bidirectional relationship between CEP and CFP. In addition, our findings suggest that the relationship is stronger when the strategic approach underlying CEP is proactive rather than reactive. Furthermore, we reveal moderation effects of methodological artifacts, which may provide explanations for the inconsistency of the results of previous studies. Based on our findings, we discuss the implications and outline avenues for further research.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)735-751
Number of pages17
JournalEuropean Management Journal
Volume32
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2014
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Causality, Corporate environmental performance, Corporate financial performance, Meta-analysis, Moderation effects, Multidimensionality