The role of corporate sustainability performance for economic performance: A firm-level analysis of moderation effects

This paper analyses the link between sustainability management and economic performance. Its main research question concerns the association of social responsibility and environmental management with economic performance, determinants of the latter and possible moderation effects. Based on data collected from financial databases and Kinder Lydenberg Domini for the period 1992 to 2003, the paper analyses the link of corporate sustainability performance with economic performance using panel estimation techniques. The analysis shows that advertising intensity moderates the association of corporate sustainability performance and economic performance as measured by Tobin's q. For research and development efforts relative to firm size, no moderating role on the link between corporate sustainability and economic performance is identified. A sensitivity analysis using separate measures for social and environmental performance reveals that the latter only has a direct effect and the former only a fully moderated effect on economic performance. Policy and management implications of these findings are discussed.