The relationship between board characteristics and social responsibility with firm innovation

Purpose The present study aims to assess the potential impacts of board members' characteristics, including connectedness and independence, on level firm's involvement in innovation corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach Variables interlock independence are selected for measuring characteristics their association with innovation. range disclosure (SR) firms inside outside industries is also analyzed through descriptive-correlational. sample includes 280 firm-years listed Iraq Stock Exchange during 2012–2017 1,026 Tehran Exchange. hypotheses examined using multivariate regression models panel data. Findings observations show that both countries willing improve firms' Moreover, having controlled industry index, authors find business environment be transmitted into sources Iran. In country, regardless positive between interlocked boards firm established. Further analyses articulate not considered a mechanism transmit information experiences about CSR activities. Originality/value This paper pioneer relationship member SR Iran Iraq. Also, it extends literature by considering index as significant source knowledge experience gain more precise results. Therefore, current may contribute development this field study.