The Relationship of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Disclosure and Earnings Management: Evidence from Indonesia

The relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and earnings management is still a debate. Several previous studies showed that CSR is a determinant of earnings management. Meanwhile, others revealed the reverse. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of CSR disclosure on earnings management and the effect of earnings management on CSR disclosure. This study was conducted with mining companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in the 2016-2019 period. The research data was analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. The data is obtained from financial statements, annual reports, and sustainability reports. The results reveal that there is a positive relationship between CSR disclosure and earnings management. This study also shows that the relationship model of CSR disclosure and earnings management is recursive. This finding implies that CSR disclosure is a tool used by management to cover up unethical actions from stakeholders. These results verify the agency theory and opportunist hypothesis regarding the relationship between CSR and earnings management. The novelty of this study lies in highlighting the recursive model of the relationship between CSR and earnings management.