A groundbreaking study by Liu and Wu offers a transformative lens on the role of corporate boards in shaping corporate social responsibility (CSR), challenging long-held beliefs and introducing a nuanced framework that unpacks the interplay of multiple board characteristics. Unlike traditional research that isolates individual board traits to assess their impact on CSR, this study rigorously explores specific combinations of board features, unveiling how distinct configurations drive CSR outcomes. This sophisticated approach not only enriches academic discourse but also sets a new standard for analyzing board dynamics within CSR, thereby advancing both theory and practice.
The research illuminates a pivotal insight: board characteristics do not operate in silos but complement one another in their influence on CSR. Previous investigations have largely pursued a linear, atomistic view, attributing CSR effectiveness to singular factors such as board size or independence. However, the evidence put forth by Liu and Wu highlights that the synergistic effects arising from combinations of traits—encompassing size, diversity, independence, and CEO duality—are critical determinants in achieving robust CSR performance. This insight demands a paradigm shift in both academic frameworks and corporate governance strategies, emphasizing a multi-dimensional perspective on board composition.
Central to the study’s contribution is the differentiation between internal and external CSR, a dichotomy often overlooked in existing literature. Internal CSR relates to practices benefiting employees and internal stakeholders, such as workplace safety and development, whereas external CSR focuses on broader societal and environmental responsibilities. The authors hypothesize and empirically confirm that these two CSR domains require distinct board configurations, thereby resolving conflicting findings that have previously muddied the understanding of board-CSR relationships. This differentiation paves the way for more tailored governance strategies aligning board composition with the specific CSR objectives firms pursue.
Intriguingly, the study identifies that combinations of board characteristics conducive to high internal CSR differ markedly from those driving external CSR. For internal CSR, configurations involving larger boards with high diversity or smaller boards exhibiting CEO duality stand out, especially for older and larger firms. Conversely, effective external CSR often stems from a more complex blend—a smaller board paired with high diversity, independence, and CEO duality—particularly in firms characterized by greater leverage. These nuanced insights challenge the one-size-fits-all model and encourage firms to assess their contextual factors and CSR priorities when designing their boards.
In reconciling two foundational but often conflicting governance theories—agency theory and resource dependence theory—the paper introduces a comprehensive model explaining how board characteristics impact CSR. Agency theory posits that independent boards mitigate managerial opportunism, thus enhancing CSR, while resource dependence theory emphasizes the strategic value of board connections and diversity in securing critical external resources. Liu and Wu’s findings support elements of both theories, asserting that instead of being antagonistic, these perspectives collectively enrich our understanding of board-CSR mechanisms. This theoretical synthesis broadens the analytical horizon and promotes integrative governance models.
From a practical standpoint, the implications for corporate leaders are profound. Current governance practices commonly focus on singular board features to boost CSR metrics, but the study’s evidence underscores the limitations of such simplistic approaches. Firms, particularly larger ones with specific financial and demographic profiles, should instead cultivate deliberate, context-sensitive board configurations that match their CSR aspirations. For instance, a firm’s age, size, and leverage emerge as critical moderators influencing which board composition yields optimal CSR engagement, reinforcing the necessity for adaptive governance frameworks.
The complex interaction effects identified between board size, diversity, independence, and CEO duality indicate that no individual characteristic is singly necessary for achieving strong CSR outcomes. This nuanced understanding disrupts prevailing assumptions and suggests that firms invest more effort in strategic combinations rather than isolated attributes. For practitioners, it means moving beyond checklist-style governance reforms toward dynamic alignment of board features that collectively drive CSR performance.
Policymakers tasked with shaping regulatory frameworks around corporate governance and CSR also stand to benefit from this research. The findings caution against overly prescriptive mandates that emphasize individual board traits without accounting for the interplay that truly affects CSR outcomes. The study advocates for regulatory flexibility, allowing firms to tailor their board structures in accordance with their CSR focus areas and contextual factors. Such policy sophistication can foster more effective governance across diverse organizational and cultural landscapes.
This research also exposes a critical gap in the extant literature and practice by illustrating that universal board structures are unlikely to serve all kinds of CSR equally. Firms devoted to enhancing internal CSR may require markedly different board setups compared to those prioritizing external societal impacts. This differentiation not only clarifies contradictory empirical results in the literature but also equips corporates with a nuanced blueprint for optimizing governance in relation to their specific CSR goals.
Despite these compelling contributions, the authors acknowledge important limitations. The study concentrates on four board characteristics, omitting others such as board tenure, expertise, or network ties, which could further influence CSR dynamics. This signals a fertile avenue for future research aiming to articulate an even richer taxonomy of board features and their synergistic effects on diverse CSR dimensions.
Moreover, the exclusive focus on internal and external CSR typologies suggests that an expanded scope incorporating other CSR categories—environmental sustainability, corporate philanthropy, or community engagement—would deepen understanding of how governance intersects with the multifaceted nature of CSR. Such broader analyses could untangle more complex board-CSR relationships and guide more refined governance practices.
The paper also points to methodological considerations inherent in qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), which depends heavily on the conditions selected for analysis. Adjustments in the included parameters may yield different conclusions, highlighting the need for subsequent studies to incorporate additional control variables and broader datasets. This iterative approach will be crucial for validating and extending the current findings.
Notably, the research sample comprising solely Chinese listed firms introduces questions about the generalizability of results across different cultural, economic, and regulatory contexts. Cross-national investigations incorporating diverse corporate governance environments will be essential for verifying the universality of the uncovered board-CSR configurations or identifying unique regional patterns.
In sum, Liu and Wu’s study is a landmark advancement that compels both scholars and practitioners to rethink board governance in the realm of CSR. By demonstrating that combinations—not isolated traits—of board characteristics distinctly shape internal and external CSR outcomes, this research heralds a new era of nuanced, theory-driven, and practically actionable corporate governance insights. As the imperatives for responsible business intensify globally, such sophisticated frameworks will be indispensable for fostering boards that are truly catalysts for social and environmental good.
The integration of agency and resource dependence theories within a combinatorial model marks a turning point, moving debates beyond polarized views to embrace complexity. It invites a reconfiguration of CSR governance research that accommodates varied organizational realities and strategic aims. This approach promises to generate more predictive and prescriptive models that better reflect the evolving responsibilities of modern corporations.
Ultimately, this study offers a blueprint that aligns governance structures with strategic CSR ambitions, encouraging firms to calibrate their board compositions thoughtfully. As CSR assumes ever greater importance in corporate accountability and competitive advantage, such insights will resonate widely, driving measurable improvements in how boards steward their organizations toward sustainable and ethical futures.
Subject of Research: Corporate board characteristics and their combined effect on internal and external corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Article Title: Unpacking the combinations of board characteristics for CSR: internal CSR versus external CSR.
Article References:
Liu, Y., Wu, W. Unpacking the combinations of board characteristics for CSR: internal CSR versus external CSR. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 1864 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-06131-w
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