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Research  questions: 

How has the association between activities of the CSR dimensions and FP developed between 2014-2019? 

What is the association between activities of the CSR dimensions and FP for Swedish-owned banks? 

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore if there is a possible association between different activities of the CSR dimensions and FP for major Swedish-owned banks, and how it has developed over time. Together, the two research questions formulated will contribute to a better understanding of CSR in the context of the Swedish-owned banks. 

Method: To explore the association between CSR and FP for Swedish-owned banks a quantitative content analysis was conducted, with the aim to investigate three groups of formulated hypotheses. As CSR is a multidimensional concept and many definitions exist, this study was based on the three dimensions of CSR – Social, Environmental, and Economical – as it correlates to how the GRI standards define CSR. Seven of the major Swedish-owned banks were chosen for this study, and the data were collected from their sustainability report between 2014 – 2019, years in which they all reported according to GRI. The data were then analyzed through SPSS and descriptive statistics, bivariate correlations, and partial correlations were conducted to explore the possible association between CSR and FP. 

Conclusion: Out of the twelve hypotheses formulated, only three could be proven through this study. The requirements were that all hypotheses should be proven for the original research questions to be confirmed. Therefore, the association between the CSR activities and FP could not be supported, and no proof of the association being stronger in period 2 was found. However, as CSR continues to develop, the answer may be different in the future and more studies should be done at different times to fully explore the link between CSR and FP.