Abstract:
This paper provides a theory of firm behavior motivated by moral duty,
self-interest, and social pressure. A morally-managed and a
self-interested firm compete in a market in which their corporate
social performance (CSP) provides product differentiation. In addition
to acting as consumers, citizens have warm glow preferences for
personal giving to social casues, holding shares in firms providing
CSP, and contributing to social pressure to increase CSP. Social
pressure is delivered by an activist NGO funded by voluntary
contributions by citizens. The activist selects a target, demands
social action by the target, and threatens harm. The target can fight
the activist campaign, but both parties have an incentive to bargain to
a resolution. The model charaterizes an equilibrium in the product
market, the capital market, and the market for social pressure. The
equilibrium establishes a price for CSP and for activist-induced social
action. The theory provides predictions of the market values of firms,
the prices of products, firm profits, target selection, contributions
to the activist, and the amount of CSP. For example, if citizens do not
distinguish between morally-motivate CSP and CSP induced by social
pressure, the activist is more likely to tarket the softer,
morally-motivated firm. Higher quality activists are better funded,
target self-interested firms, and obtain greater social action. Lower
quality activists target morally-managed firms.
Organization:
Stanford Graduate School of Business