Business Group Affiliation, CSR, and Reputational Benefits: The External Source of Competitive Advantages |
Received:October 16, 2017 Revised:October 16, 2017 |
Key Words: Business group; CSR; Reputation; RBV; Competitive advantages |
Author Name | Affiliation | YALAN XU* | The Chinese University of Hong Hong |
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Abstract: |
Drawing insight from RBV and institutional perspective, this study develops a conceptual model related to value creation in the business groups through CSR mechanism. It is proposed that CSR practice is a resource management mechanism for both business group and affiliates. I further recognize external source of competitive advantages enabled by group affiliation and identify three types of reputational benefits that might be gained by the focal firm through CSR. How such benefits may contribute to the focal firm depends on the vertical linkages with the core owners of the group and horizontal connections with its group members. This study extends resource-based theory and contributes to the literature of CSR and business groups. |