Do Tragic Events Make Investors More Pro-social? Evidence from Japan

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake on investor responses to corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in Japan. Employing Propensity Score Matching and Difference-in-Differences analyses, we analyse investor reactions to both positive and negative CSR news pre- and post-earthquake. Our results indicate a significant increase in share prices for firms that reported positive CSR news post-earthquake, thereby highlighting a heightened investor value on CSR during times of crisis. In contrast, negative CSR news showed a more pronounced negative effect in longer term windows. Additionally, industries directly affected by the earthquake experienced a substantial shift in investor sentiment towards negative CSR news. These findings enhance the understanding CSR’s tole in investor behaviour during crises and offer insights into effective corporate strategies in disaster-prone contexts, particularly in Japan’s unique cultural and economic landscape.