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Peer-Review Record

FDI Spillovers on Corporate Social Responsibility: The Channel of Labor Mobility

Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 4265; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10114265
by Yi Zhang 1,*, Qianqian Shang 2 and Chun Liu 1
Reviewer 2: Anonymous
Reviewer 3: Anonymous
Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 4265; https://doi.org/10.3390/su10114265
Submission received: 25 October 2018 / Revised: 14 November 2018 / Accepted: 14 November 2018 / Published: 19 November 2018

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The topic is relevant and well addressed. There are some minor issues to be solved before its publication:

The abstract is well written and awake the interest of the reader; 

In the introduction, I believe that the gap of research is well developed, but the first paragraph does not awake an interest, it was like the typical argument in CSR and the ideas of the first paragraph are not very connected/linked. More effort is needed here to convide the research audience of the novelty of the manuscript. The structure of the paper and results are well developed along the introduction. 

The main sections of Literature review are well supported, maybe there are some recent articles of the last two years, which can be integrated in the text to provide more support to the contribution:

Xiao, S. S., & Park, B. I. (2018). Bring institutions into FDI spillover research: Exploring the impact of ownership restructuring and institutional development in emerging economies. International Business Review27(1), 289-308.

Li, C., & Tanna, S. (2017, July). FDI Spillover Effects in China’s Manufacturing Sector: New Evidence From Forward and Backward Linkages. In International Conference on Applied Economics (pp. 203-222). Springer, Cham.

Ramadani, V., Abazi-Alili, H., Dana, L. P., Rexhepi, G., & Ibraimi, S. (2017). The impact of knowledge spillovers and innovation on firm-performance: findings from the Balkans countries. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal13(1), 299-325.

Regarding the contribution, I believe that the main hypothesis can add some sub-hypotheses observing the wide number of variables. But this is a decision of author/s and can be understood.

Data. It will be interesting to see a Table with the profile of the sample according to the control variables, just to recognize and examine the sample.

Results. Analysis are well implemented, however I would like to see a section of discussion, and more practical implications. For example, considering that the labour channel is developed as a topic, more support of Human resource Management ideas or Human Resource Managers implications can enrich the contribution. 

Author Response

Reviewer 1:

The topic is relevant and well addressed. There are some minor issues to be solved before its publication.

1. In the introduction, I believe that the gap of research is well developed, but the first paragraph does not awake an interest, it was like the typical argument in CSR and the ideas of the first paragraph are not very connected/linked. More effort is needed here to convide the research audience of the novelty of the manuscript. The structure of the paper and results are well developed along the introduction. 

Response:

Taking the reviewer's suggestion, we have revised the Introduction section to highlight the novelty of this paper. We have also added some details on CSR in China to make the research background of our study more solid. Please refer to the Introduction section in the revised paper for specific changes (Pages 1-2).

 

2. The main sections of Literature review are well supported, maybe there are some recent articles of the last two years, which can be integrated in the text to provide more support to the contribution:

Xiao, S. S., & Park, B. I. (2018). Bring institutions into FDI spillover research: Exploring the impact of ownership restructuring and institutional development in emerging economies. International Business Review, 27(1), 289-308.

Li, C., & Tanna, S. (2017, July). FDI Spillover Effects in China’s Manufacturing Sector: New Evidence From Forward and Backward Linkages. In International Conference on Applied Economics (pp. 203-222). Springer, Cham.

Ramadani, V., Abazi-Alili, H., Dana, L. P., Rexhepi, G., & Ibraimi, S. (2017). The impact of knowledge spillovers and innovation on firm-performance: findings from the Balkans countries. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 13(1), 299-325.

Response:

We thank the reviewer for the valuable suggestions on these recent references. We have added Xiao and Park (2018) and Li and Tanna (2017) in the revised paper. Please refer to reference numbers [74] and [81] in the revised paper.

 

3. Regarding the contribution, I believe that the main hypothesis can add some sub-hypotheses observing the wide number of variables. But this is a decision of author/s and can be understood.

Response:

To better convey the main point of this research, we have decided to focus on the main hypothesis in the current paper. We thank the reviewer for the suggestion of developing more sub-hypotheses. In future studies, we would like to try developing and testing more sub-hypotheses possibly by adding moderating variables or conducting sub-sample analysis.

 

4. Data. It will be interesting to see a Table with the profile of the sample according to the control variables, just to recognize and examine the sample.

Response:

Based on the suggestion of the reviewer, we have added a Table with the profile of the sample distribution by province, industry, and year, respectively. Please refer to the newly added Table 1. We have also briefly discussed the sample distribution in the Data and Methodology section. Please refer to Page 5 in the revised paper.

 

5. Results. Analysis are well implemented, however I would like to see a section of discussion, and more practical implications. For example, considering that the labour channel is developed as a topic, more support of Human resource Management ideas or Human Resource Managers implications can enrich the contribution. 

Response:

Upon the reviewer's suggestion, in the conclusion section, we have added more policy and practical implications on pro-FDI policies, policies relaxing labor mobility restrictions, and human resource management. We have also added more discussions on research implications of the study, limitations of the study, and potential connections between our study and the Journal's scope. Please refer to the Conclusion and Discussion section in the revised paper for specific changes (Pages 15-16).

Reviewer 2 Report

Changes which must be made before publication:
1. Please develop further your discussion by drawing on relevant studies and in relation with prior investment/CSR literature - develop further and expand your final section of concluding remarks; incorporate research and policy recommendations in the final conclusion section. Cite (primarily) in these final-most critical sections of your manuscript relevant papers published in the Journal you submitted your work to (in order to provide some sort of continuity of the specific research string).
2. More references to recent & relevant literature/empirical studies could increase the quality of the research paper and provide a much clearer message to the reader - these may help you building your discussion which needs to be extended. I would have liked to have seen more details on the case of CSR-in-China in the opening paragraphs. Some publications I'd like to see you citing and you could use as starting point for this are:

Moon, J., & Shen, X. (2010). CSR in China research: Salience, focus and nature. Journal of Business Ethics, 94(4), 613-629.

Skouloudis, A., Isaac, D., & Evaggelinos, K. (2016). Revisiting the national corporate social responsibility index. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 23(1), 61-70.

Halkos, G., & Skouloudis, A. (2017). Revisiting the relationship between corporate social responsibility and national culture: A quantitative assessment. Management decision, 55(3), 595-613.

Davidson, D. K., & Yin, J. (2019). Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in China: A contextual exploration. In Corporate Social Responsibility: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications (pp. 28-48). IGI Global.

Wang, X., Li, S., & Wang, H. (2018). Demonstration effect of MNCs on the building up of CSR practices in China. European Journal of International Management, 12(3), 295-310.

Li, X., & Chang, V. (2018). The Influential Factors of CSR and the Future of CSR in China. International Journal of Organizational and Collective Intelligence (IJOCI), 8(2), 12-31.

Pan, X., Chen, X., & Ning, L. (2018). The roles of macro and micro institutions in corporate social responsibility (CSR) Evidence from listed firms in China. Management Decision, 56(5), 955-971.

3. The introductory/opening section should communicate a little clearer the literature gaps, as well as the study's aims & objectives in order to facilitate the flow of the study.
4. Concluding remarks – authors must elaborate more on what is their contribution to the literature as well as on opportunities for future research. Questions that need to be answered: Why your study is important? and how it extendso existing knowledge on the issue/topic? Conclusions need to be written in a clear and coherent manner and draw the main lessons from the paper. I suggest you to concentrate on the description of the implications of the work, the main findings and its potential replicability - empirical investigation. Furthermore, limitations of the study need to be outlined to a greater extent, and so are any potential connections between your study and specific aspects of the Journal's scope.
5. Carefully check the references, so as to make sure they are all complete and follow the Guidelines to Authors. Finally, when you submit the corrected version, please do check thoroughly, in order to avoid grammar, syntax or structure/presentation flaws. Make sure you retain a formal/academic-specific style of presenting your work throughout the text - (if necessary) please seek for professional English proofreading services or ask a native English-speaking colleague of yours in order to refine and improve the English in your paper
==========================

Author Response

Reviewer 2:

Changes which must be made before publication:
1. Please develop further your discussion by drawing on relevant studies and in relation with prior investment/CSR literature - develop further and expand your final section of concluding remarks; incorporate research and policy recommendations in the final conclusion section. Cite (primarily) in these final-most critical sections of your manuscript relevant papers published in the Journal you submitted your work to (in order to provide some sort of continuity of the specific research string).

Response:

Upon the reviewer's comments, we have expanded the Conclusion section of the paper. We have added more discussions on research and policy implications, limitations of the study, and potential connections between our study and the Journal's scope. Please refer to the Conclusion and Discussion section in the revised paper for specific changes (Pages 15-16). We have also added some relevant papers published in the Journal, including Zhang, Morse, Kambhamptali, and Li (2014), Yang, Ye, and Zhu (2017), Pan, Sha, Zhang, and Ke (2014). Please refer to reference numbers [20], [62], and [93] in the revised paper.

References added:

Zhang, D.; Morse, S.; Kambhamptati, U.; Li, B. Evolving Corporate Social Responsibility in China. Sustainability 2014, 6, 7646, doi:10.3390/su6117646.

Yang, S.; Ye, H.; Zhu, Q. Do Peer Firms Affect Firm Corporate Social Responsibility? Sustainability 2017, 9, 1967, doi:10.3390/su9111967.

Pan, X.; Sha, J.; Zhang, H.; Ke, W. Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Financial Performance in the Mineral Industry: Evidence from Chinese Mineral Firms. Sustainability 2014, 6, 4077, doi:10.3390/su6074077.


2. More references to recent & relevant literature/empirical studies could increase the quality of the research paper and provide a much clearer message to the reader - these may help you building your discussion which needs to be extended. I would have liked to have seen more details on the case of CSR-in-China in the opening paragraphs. Some publications I'd like to see you citing and you could use as starting point for this are:

Moon, J., & Shen, X. (2010). CSR in China research: Salience, focus and nature. Journal of Business Ethics, 94(4), 613-629.

Skouloudis, A., Isaac, D., & Evaggelinos, K. (2016). Revisiting the national corporate social responsibility index. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 23(1), 61-70.

Halkos, G., & Skouloudis, A. (2017). Revisiting the relationship between corporate social responsibility and national culture: A quantitative assessment. Management decision, 55(3), 595-613.

Davidson, D. K., & Yin, J. (2019). Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in China: A contextual exploration. In Corporate Social Responsibility: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications (pp. 28-48). IGI Global.

Wang, X., Li, S., & Wang, H. (2018). Demonstration effect of MNCs on the building up of CSR practices in China. European Journal of International Management, 12(3), 295-310.

Li, X., & Chang, V. (2018). The Influential Factors of CSR and the Future of CSR in China. International Journal of Organizational and Collective Intelligence (IJOCI), 8(2), 12-31.

Pan, X., Chen, X., & Ning, L. (2018). The roles of macro and micro institutions in corporate social responsibility (CSR) Evidence from listed firms in China. Management Decision, 56(5), 955-971.

Response:

Taking the reviewer's suggestion, we have added more details on CSR in China to make the research background of our study more solid. Please refer to the Introduction section in the revised paper for specific changes (Pages 2). We have also added more recent and relevant papers upon the reviewer's suggestion. Please refer to reference numbers [4], [14-18], and [58] in the revised paper.

 

3. The introductory/opening section should communicate a little clearer the literature gaps, as well as the study's aims & objectives in order to facilitate the flow of the study.

Response:

Based on the reviewer's suggestion, we revised the Introduction section to highlight the novelty of this paper, to present more clearly the research gap, to better illustrate the aim and objective of our study. Please refer to the Introduction section in the revised paper for specific changes (Pages 1-2).


4. Concluding remarks – authors must elaborate more on what is their contribution to the literature as well as on opportunities for future research. Questions that need to be answered: Why your study is important? and how it extend so existing knowledge on the issue/topic? Conclusions need to be written in a clear and coherent manner and draw the main lessons from the paper. I suggest you to concentrate on the description of the implications of the work, the main findings and its potential replicability - empirical investigation. Furthermore, limitations of the study need to be outlined to a greater extent, and so are any potential connections between your study and specific aspects of the Journal's scope.

Response:

We thank the reviewer for the suggestions on concluding remarks. Taking these suggestions, we have added more discussions on research and practical implications of our study, the potential replicability of our work, limitations of the current paper, and potential connections between our study and the Journal's scope. Please refer to the Conclusion and Discussion section in the revised paper for specific changes (Pages 15-16).


5. Carefully check the references, so as to make sure they are all complete and follow the Guidelines to Authors. Finally, when you submit the corrected version, please do check thoroughly, in order to avoid grammar, syntax or structure/presentation flaws. Make sure you retain a formal/academic-specific style of presenting your work throughout the text - (if necessary) please seek for professional English proofreading services or ask a native English-speaking colleague of yours in order to refine and improve the English in your paper

Response:

We have carefully checked the references and the format of the paper. We have also tried our best to avoid grammar, syntax or structure/presentation flaws.

 

Reviewer 3 Report

The paper has potential and it can be a good contribution to the literature. The authors examines the spillover effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on corporate social responsibility (CSR) of domestic firms, with a focus on the channel of labor mobility. Nevertheless, some aspects need to be changed or better explained before being considered for publication, for example:

·         The abstract could be improved, for example including more conclusions and achievements of the study;

·         Avoid the use of abbreviations in the abstract and in the keywords;

·         The introduction can be improved, for example highlighting the novelty of this study;

·         The are several aspects that contribute to a sustainable organization;

·         The theoretical aspects of the paper must be located in a different chapter;

·         Literature review can be improved;

·         All the abbreviations must be presented in the text;

·         There are several aspects that should be taken into account the Governance of CSR (see Cruz and Marques, 2018);

·         More information can be provided about the case study (e.g. GDP, area,…);

·         Regarding the methodology, the model must be better justified;

·         Statistical analysis can be added, if possible, to the results analysis to better support the conclusions;

·         Explain better the correlations and statistical significance;

·         Include a table presenting the results and achievements with the hypothesis analysis;

·         The limitations of the study and future research can be highlighted in the conclusions;

·         More recommendations for the decision makers were expected in the conclusions;

·         The references must be homogenized and in line with the author guidelines (for example, some issues are missing).

 

References:

DA CRUZ, N.; MARQUES, R. (2018). An application of a multicriteria model to assess the quality of local governance. Urban Affairs Review.


Author Response

Reviewer 3:

The paper has potential and it can be a good contribution to the literature. The authors examines the spillover effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) on corporate social responsibility (CSR) of domestic firms, with a focus on the channel of labor mobility. Nevertheless, some aspects need to be changed or better explained before being considered for publication, for example:

1. The abstract could be improved, for example including more conclusions and achievements of the study;

Response:

Based on this suggestion, we have added a concluding remark in the Abstract. Please refer to Page 1 of the revised paper for the change.

 

2. Avoid the use of abbreviations in the abstract and in the keywords;

Response:

Taking the reviewer’s suggestion, we have replaced all abbreviations in the Abstract and Keywords. Please refer to Page 1 of the revised paper for the change.

 

3. The introduction can be improved, for example highlighting the novelty of this study;

Response:

Upon the reviewer's suggestion, we revised the Introduction section to highlight the novelty of this paper, to present more clearly the research gap, to better illustrate the aim and objective of our study. Please refer to the Introduction section in the revised paper for specific changes (Pages 1-2).

 

4. The theoretical aspects of the paper must be located in a different chapter;

Response:

Taking the reviewer's suggestion, we have briefly discussed the contributions of our paper to the literature in the Introduction section and located extensive discussions on the theoretical aspects of the paper in the section of Literature review.

 

5. Literature review can be improved;

Response:

In the revised paper, we have added several recent and relevant studies on FDI spillovers and on CSR to improve the quality of our research. Please refer to added references (marked in Red in the reference list) in the revised paper.

 

6. All the abbreviations must be presented in the text;

Response:

We have carefully checked and made sure all the abbreviations could be referred to the words or phrase for which they stand. For clarification, we have added an abbreviation list at the end of the revised paper. Please refer to Page 16 of the revised paper for the change.

 

7. There are several aspects that should be taken into account the Governance of CSR (see Cruz and Marques, 2018);

Response:

Based on the reviewer's comment, we have incorporated the suggested reference into the revised paper. Please refer to Page 3 and reference number [41] in the revised paper.

 

8. More information can be provided about the case study (e.g. GDP, area,…);

Response:

In the Introduction section, we have added more research background on CSR in China and the motivation using China as our research context. Please refer to the Introduction section in the revised paper for specific changes (Page 2). Besides, in the Data and Methodology section, we have provided detailed information on the sample used, data source, and descriptive statistics of variables (Pages 4-8).

 

9. Regarding the methodology, the model must be better justified;

Response:

Upon the reviewer's comment, we have added more discussions to justify our empirical models in the Data and Methodology section. Please refer to Page 9 of the revised paper for the change.

 

10. Statistical analysis can be added, if possible, to the results analysis to better support the conclusions;

Response:

In the revised paper, we have presented the statistical analysis in the Data and Methodology section. We have presented the summary and correlations of the variables, the results of the mean-difference tests, and a newly added Table on sample distribution (Table 1). Please refer to the Data and Methodology section in the revised paper (Pages 5-8).

 

11. Explain better the correlations and statistical significance;

Response:

Taking the reviewer’s suggestion, we have added more explanations on the statistical significance in the Results section. Please refer to Pages 8-15 of the revised paper for specific changes.

 

12. Include a table presenting the results and achievements with the hypothesis analysis;

Response:

We thank the reviewer for this suggestion. In the current paper, we have only one main hypothesis so as to better convey the main point of this research. Therefore, we have decided to emphasize the correspondence of our results and the hypothesis in the Results section instead of presenting their link in the form of a table.

 

13. The limitations of the study and future research can be highlighted in the conclusions;

Response:

Upon the reviewer's suggestion, we have added limitations of the study and future research opportunities in the Conclusion section. Please refer to the Conclusion section in the revised paper for specific changes (Page 16).

 

14. More recommendations for the decision makers were expected in the conclusions;

Response:

Taking the reviewer's suggestion, we have added more discussions on research and policy implications in the Conclusion section. Please refer to the Conclusion section in the revised paper for specific changes (Page 16).

 

15. The references must be homogenized and in line with the author guidelines (for example, some issues are missing).

Response:

Based on the comment, we have carefully checked the completeness and format of the references in the revised paper.

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