What explains the spread of corporate social responsibility? The role of competitive pressure and institutional isomorphism in the diffusion of voluntary adoption

Abstract This study provides a new perspective on the determinants of spread voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) adoption by incorporating potential role its industry competitors. We find supportive evidence that firms make CSR decisions in response to competitive pressure as well institutional mimetic pressures. Based an event history analysis longitudinal data from sample 711 Korean publicly traded over 12-year period, our findings suggest behavior competitors is positively associated with focal firm's earlier CSR, leading diffusion across firms. Specifically, this shows pure rivalry-driven non-leader has stronger positive relationship adoption. The results also indicate decision accelerated rivalry pressures arising isomorphism.