Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A Strategic Tool for Indian Companies for Investment in the Education Sector Using a Standard Event Study
摘要
This chapter examines the strategic implications of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities mandated by Indian regulations, specifically focusing on companies’ investments in the education sector. With the legal requirement to devote at least 2% of average net profits to CSR initiatives, this research employs a standard event study methodology to analyze the market response to 44 unique announcements made by 38 companies in the S&P BSE 500 index between January 2011 and December 2022. The investigation delves into various forms of CSR investments, such as establishing schools and universities, supporting girls’ education, and providing financial aid to underprivileged children. Using a market model approach and the BSE 30 Sensex as the market portfolio proxy, the chapter hypothesizes the absence of abnormal returns associated with the announcements of educational initiatives by Indian firms. Preliminary findings reveal nuanced market reactions, with certain days showing significant positive or negative abnormal returns. The Cumulative Average Abnormal Returns (CAAR) across diverse event windows provide a comprehensive picture of the magnitude and direction of market responses. The chapter contributes to the understanding of CSR’s strategic role in the education sector and opens avenues for further research on the long-term impact of such initiatives on corporate sustainability and societal development.