The evolving path of CSR: toward business and society relationship

Abstract

PurposeThis paper takes a critical look at the meaning of corporate social responsibility (CSR) based on the available literature on the subject matter. As CSR is an evolving concept both in meaning and practice, this study aims to highlight CSR actions of the world's six largest organizations (Google, Twitter, Amazon, Apple, ExxonMobil and Walmart). The purpose of choosing these organizations and their CSR adoption was to examine the business-society relationship and the role of key stakeholders in establishing this association.Design/methodology/approachThis study examined CSR through the case study approach and provides valuable insights by showing that CSR is a connecting link between business and society. Specifically, the authors took a crucial look at various contentious, often ambiguous definitions, theoretical framework, brief historical development, issues and controversies surrounding it, the role of CSR in community development and summing it up with the future direction and managerial implications.FindingsThis study observed that there are some developmental strategies taking place today which are relevant to the issue at stake, such as: contributing to the world economy, corporations donating or engaging in a wide range of philanthropic gestures now than ever and contributing to the beauty of the society by meeting rising community expectations.Originality/valueBy analyzing the worlds' 6 largest companies' CSR initiatives, this study provides valuable insights by showing that CSR is a connecting link between business and society and is based on win-win collaborations between civil society, business, investors and government. These companies' CSR initiatives have been mostly unexplored in past studies.

Corporate social responsibility and financial inclusion: Evaluating the moderating effect of income

“…This study extends the prevailing understanding of CSR beneficiaries' responses towards banks' CSR activities from the rural Indian perspective. Most prior studies have considered only the corporate view of CSR, with little or no empirical research focused on CSR beneficiaries (Singh & Misra, 2020e). Hence, the study examines the CSR beneficiaries' perspective and proposes the moderating influence of income on the relationship between CSR and financial inclusion.…”

Disruptions in sourcing and distribution practices of supply chains due to COVID-19 pandemic: a sustainability paradigm

“…The study also highlights the finding that a large no’s of respondents take into consideration carbon footprinting while designing distribution activities of the firm (Claudia et al , 2021; Ali et al , 2021) and do not give due consideration to the energy consumption while carrying out packaging activities for distribution (Magazzino et al , 2021). Also, COVID-19 has forced firms to donate more to the needy portion of the society and now most of the respondents carry out business with the intention to be socially responsible (Singh and Misra, 2021). The results of the hypothesis testing shown in Figure 2 reveal that COVID-19 (COV) had an influence on the overall sustainable practices of the firm accepting research hypotheses H1 , H2 , H3 , H4 , H5 and H6 .…”

How green investment drives sustainable business performance for food manufacturing small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises? Evidence from an emerging economy

“…Variables and items were developed based on the above systematic literature review. This resulted in having a GI of a 5 item‐scale which was adopted from Eyraud et al (2013), a CSR of 5 item‐scale which was adopted from Singh and Misra (2021); Kamran et al (2021), a GIN of 6 item‐scale which was adopted from Chen et al (2006) and a SBP of 6 item‐scale which was adopted from Wang (2019); Abbas (2020). Moreover, specific items were adjusted to fit the context of the current study.…”