The association between corporate social responsibility disclosure and dividend policy: Insights from an emerging economy

This study explores how corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures relate to dividend policy in an emerging market setting, focusing on firms listed in Palestine between 2013 and 2022. Using Logit, Tobit, and system GMM models, we examine the relationship between CSR and both the likelihood and magnitude of dividend payouts. The results reveal a positive and significant association; firms that disclose more CSR information are not only more likely to pay dividends but also tend to distribute larger amounts. This relationship is especially pronounced in non-financial firms, which face tighter financial constraints and rely more heavily on CSR as a signaling mechanism. The findings suggest that CSR helps build stakeholder trust and reduce financing frictions, enabling more consistent and generous dividend policies. The study also underscores the importance of integrating CSR into core business strategy, particularly in underreported areas such as environmental responsibility. As one of the few studies to investigate this relationship in an emerging market, the research offers new insights into how sustainability practices interact with financial decision-making. Nonetheless, the focus on disclosure quantity rather than quality, along with the limited market size, may constrain the broader applicability of the findings. Future research should explore alternative CSR metrics and test these relationships in other institutional contexts.