CSR, Digital Transformation, and Internal Control: Three-Way Interaction Effect on the Firm Value of Chinese Listed Companies

Abstract

CSR has become a key issue for the qualitative growth of the Chinese economy, while digital transformation has emerged as a crucial strategy for enhancing company competitiveness. Thus, the complex impact of CSR and digital transformation on the firm value is an important research topic. This study analyzes the moderating effect of digital transformation and the three-way interaction effect of internal control on the CSR–firm value relationship. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis of Chinese listed companies shows a significant positive relationship between CSR and the firm value and a positive moderating effect of digital transformation on the CSR–firm value relationship. According to the three-way interaction analysis results, internal control strengthens the moderating effect of digital transformation, which strengthens the positive relationship between CSR and the firm value. This study has academic value as the first to present and empirically analyze a research model on the complementary effects of CSR, DT, and internal control on the firm value. It also presents corporate strategies to respond to changes in the business environment and provides political implications for promoting corporate and social development together.

Keywords

• corporate social responsibility
• digital transformation
• firm value
• internal control
• three-way interaction