Financial impacts of socially responsible activities on airline companies

Although the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been recognized as an important ingredient for business success, the relationship between CSR and companies' financial performance has been inconclusive and rarely examined in the airline industry. This study examines the impacts of CSR on airline companies' financial performance in terms of accounting and value performance. In addition, the study investigates linear, quadratic, and cubic relationships between CSR and firm performance. Results show support for a positive and linear impact of CSR on value performance but not on accounting performance for airline companies. The findings can provide airline corporate executives with practical knowledge with which to strategically develop better business plans that incorporate CSR activities.