Firm Litigation Risk and the Insurance Value of Corporate Social Performance
Strategic Management Journal, (DOI: 10.1002/smj2171) Forthcoming
Posted: 31 Oct 2013
Date Written: October 25, 2013
Abstract
This paper advances the risk management perspective that superior social performance enhances firm value by serving as an ex ante valuable insurance mechanism. We posit that good social performance is more valuable as an insurance mechanism for firms with higher litigation risks. Moreover, value generation of corporate social performance (CSP) depends on whether a firm has gained pragmatic legitimacy (i.e., a firm's financial health) and moral legitimacy (i.e., whether or not a firm operates in a socially contested industry) among its stakeholders. We find that the value of CSP as insurance against litigation risk is practically significant, adding 2 to 4 percent to firm value. But CSP is less likely to create value if the firm is in financial distress or is operating in socially contested industries.
Keywords: CSP; insurance value; risk management; firm valuation models; legitimacy
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation