MNCs’ corporate social innovation in emerging markets: antecedents, outcomes, and boundary conditions

This study examines the: (i) relationship between first social mover MNCs and corporate social innovation (CSI); (ii) impact of MNCs’ CSI on social value creation; and (iii) moderating role of local embeddedness on the relationship between first social mover MNCs, CSI, and social value creation. The study builds from the behavioral theory of social entrepreneurship. Primary data was collected from 150 MNCs operating in Nigeria—a social and resource-constrained emerging market in sub-Saharan Africa. Findings show that there is a positive relationship between first social mover MNCs and CSI. The findings also show that CSI has a positive relationship with social value creation. Furthermore, the findings reveal that local embeddedness strengthens the path between first social mover MNCs, CSI, and social value creation path. These findings have important implications for CSI and international management research as well as the growth and management of MNCs operating in emerging markets in sub-Saharan Africa.