The impact of CSR performance and CSR disclosure readability on investors’ earnings estimates

Abstract

We investigate how the valence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and the readability of CSR disclosure impact investors’ earnings estimates. Ninety‐seven part‐time MBA students participate in an experiment, in which we manipulate the valence of CSR performance (positive versus neutral) and the readability of CSR reports (high versus low), while holding financial information constant. Our findings reveal that investors make more positive earnings estimates when CSR performance is positive. The readability level of CSR reports also influences investors’ decision‐making process. Moreover, by using an eye‐tracking device, we are able to observe investors’ different reading behaviours upon the different levels of readability.