• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-28
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• 2018

This study investigates the strategic environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) of polluting duopoly when two firms have different production costs and compete with prices. We then examine an endogenous timing game in choosing ECSR and its effects on environmental damage and social welfare. The followings are the main findings: First, sequential choice of ECSR is strategic complements and it provides late adopter advantage irrespective of cost difference. Second, sequential choice of ECSR is the equilibrium of endogenous timing game. In particular, an efficient firm-leading ECSR is the payoff dominance equilibrium when cost difference is significant. Finally, environmental damage and social welfare depend on the social cost of pollution. In particular, an efficient firm-leading ECSR is socially desirable when social cost is high. However, an inefficient firm-leading ECSR increases environmental damage irrespective of social cost and it reduces social welfare when cost difference is significant.