Corporate Social Responsibility through the Lens of CEO Sociodemographic: The Effects of Education and Gender

This study investigates the impact of two key sociodemographic variables, CEO education level and gender, on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance. The research aims to examine how these characteristics influence companies’ commitment to different CSR dimensions, including environmental, social, and governance aspects. Using a sample of firms listed on the CAC All Share index from 2015 to 2023, this study employs panel data regression analysis to assess the effects of CEO education and gender on CSR performance. Data on CSR performance were obtained from the Thomson Reuters ASSET4 database, while CEO demographic information was collected from company reports and Bloomberg. The results indicate that both CEO education level and CEO gender have a positive and significant impact on CSR performance. Highly educated CEOs appear better equipped to integrate sustainable practices, while female CEOs tend to foster more impactful CSR initiatives. This study contributes to the existing literature by focusing on the intersection of CEO sociodemographic factors and CSR performance. It highlights the importance of considering both education and gender to better understand how executive characteristics shape corporate approaches to social responsibility.