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When is R&D beneficial for family firms? The concurrent roles of CSR and economic conditions

Hu, Qilin; Hughes, Paul; Hughes, Mathew (Mat); Chapman, Gary; He, Xinming

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Authors

Qilin Hu

Paul Hughes

Mathew (Mat) Hughes

Xinming He



Abstract

How family firms innovate has captivated scholars for over a decade. However, an investigation into the benefits of research and development (R&D) for family firm value under differing economic conditions has received little attention in the family firm innovation or R&D literature. This study examines the relationship between R&D intensity and firm value among listed family firms during the economic recession period of 2007–2010 and nonrecessionary periods (referred to as normal periods) in the US between 1995 and 2013. Based on behavioral agency theory, we evaluate the moderating effects of investments in inward-looking and outward-looking corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives on this relationship. We hypothesize that R&D intensity is negatively related to family firm value during a recession period, but outward-looking CSR positively moderates the relationship between the two. The opposite is hypothesized during normal periods. The results support the assertions that outward-looking CSR can ease the negative impact brought about by R&D intensity on firm value during a recession period, while inward-looking CSR investments surprisingly bear no effects. Important implications for research, family firm leaders, and R&D managers are discussed.

Citation

Hu, Q., Hughes, P., Hughes, M. (., Chapman, G., & He, X. (2023). When is R&D beneficial for family firms? The concurrent roles of CSR and economic conditions. R&D Management, 53(3), 524-542. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12580

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 3, 2023
Online Publication Date Feb 21, 2023
Publication Date 2023-06
Deposit Date Feb 6, 2023
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal R&D Management
Print ISSN 0033-6807
Electronic ISSN 1467-9310
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 53
Issue 3
Pages 524-542
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12580
Keywords R&D intensity; Family firms; Corporate social responsibility; Outward-looking CSR; Inward-looking CSR; Economic recession; Firm value; Tobin's Q; Family firm
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/17070252
Publisher URL https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/radm.12580

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