International Journal of

ADVANCED AND APPLIED SCIENCES

EISSN: 2313-3724, Print ISSN: 2313-626X

Frequency: 12
line decor
  
line decor

 Volume 12, Issue 1 (January 2025), Pages: 172-183

----------------------------------------------

 Review Paper

Corporate social responsibility management for sustainable development: A systematic literature review

 Author(s): 

 Lertlak Jaroensombut 1, Annop Yiengthaisong 2, Thongphon Promsaka Na Sakolnakorn 1, *

 Affiliation(s):

 1Faculty of Management Science, Silpakorn University, Phetchaburi, Thailand
 2Department of Educational Policy, Management, and Leadership, Faculty of Education, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

 Full text

  Full Text - PDF

 * Corresponding Author. 

  Corresponding author's ORCID profile: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4994-8404

 Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

 https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2025.01.017

 Abstract

This study aims to explore the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) management in promoting sustainable growth. Using content and descriptive analysis, the study examines secondary data from research articles published in reputable journals. Key challenges in CSR management include aligning business goals with social and environmental objectives, evaluating the effectiveness of CSR initiatives, and addressing skepticism or resistance from stakeholders. The integration of CSR practices is essential for businesses to enhance their reputation and build trust with stakeholders, such as customers, employees, and investors. By addressing social, environmental, and economic issues, companies can foster sustainable development and strengthen community relationships. CSR practices also help businesses manage risks, comply with regulations, and avoid legal issues. Additionally, CSR initiatives can drive innovation by encouraging the creation of sustainable products and services, improve employee morale, and attract talent seeking socially responsible workplaces. Ultimately, CSR contributes to long-term value creation, enhances market competitiveness, and positions companies as leaders in ethical and responsible business practices.

 © 2025 The Authors. Published by IASE.

 This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

 Keywords

 CSR management, Sustainable growth, Stakeholder trust, Business innovation, Community relationships

 Article history

 Received 8 September 2024, Received in revised form 19 December 2024, Accepted 9 January 2025

 Acknowledgment

No Acknowledgment.

 Compliance with ethical standards

 Conflict of interest: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

 Citation:

 Jaroensombut L, Yiengthaisong A, and Sakolnakorn TPN (2025). Corporate social responsibility management for sustainable development: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 12(1): 172-183

 Permanent Link to this page

 Figures

 Fig. 1 Fig. 2

 Tables

 No Table

----------------------------------------------   

 References (73)

  1. Adams R, Jeanrenaud S, Bessant J, Denyer D, and Overy P (2016). Sustainability-oriented innovation: A systematic review. International Journal of Management Reviews, 18(2): 180-205. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12068   [Google Scholar]
  2. Agudelo MAL, Johannsdottir L, and Davidsdottir B (2019). A literature review of the history and evolution of corporate social responsibility. International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, 4: 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40991-018-0039-y   [Google Scholar]
  3. Anbarasan P and Sushil (2018). Stakeholder engagement in sustainable enterprise: Evolving a conceptual framework and a case study of ITC. Business Strategy and the Environment, 27(3): 282–299. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1999   [Google Scholar]
  4. Anser M K, Yousaf Z, Majid A, and Yasir M (2020). Does corporate social responsibility commitment and participation predict environmental and social performance? Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 27: 2578-2587. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1977   [Google Scholar]
  5. Asiaei K, Bontis N, Barani O, and Jusoh R (2021). Corporate social responsibility and sustainability performance measurement systems: Implications for organizational performance. Journal of Management Control, 32(1): 85–126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00187-021-00317-4   [Google Scholar]
  6. Banks G, Scheyvens R, McLennan S, and Bebbington A (2016). Conceptualizing corporate community development. Third World Quarterly, 37(2): 245-263. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2015.1111135   [Google Scholar]
  7. Barakat SR, Isabella G, Boaventura JMG, and Mazzon JA (2016). The influence of corporate social responsibility on employee satisfaction. Management Decision, 54(9): 2325-2339. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-05-2016-0308   [Google Scholar]
  8. Baumann-Pauly D, Wickert C, Spence LJ, and Georg Scherer A (2013). Organizing corporate social responsibility in small and large firms: Size matters. Journal of Business Ethics, 115: 693–705. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1827-7   [Google Scholar]
  9. Bolourian S, Angus A, and Alinaghian L (2021). The impact of corporate governance on corporate social responsibility at the board-level: A critical assessment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 291: 125752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125752   [Google Scholar]
  10. Broadstock DC, Chan K, Cheng LTW, and Wang X (2021). The role of ESG performance during times of financial crisis: Evidence from COVID-19 in China. Finance Research Letters, 38: 101716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2020.101716   [Google Scholar] PMid:32837385 PMCid:PMC7425769
  11. Calabrese A, Costa R, Menichini T, Rosati F, and Sanfelice G (2013). Turning corporate social responsibility-driven opportunities in competitive advantages: A two-dimensional model. Knowledge and Process Management, 20: 50–58. https://doi.org/10.1002/kpm.1401   [Google Scholar]
  12. Camilleri MA (2017). Corporate sustainability and responsibility: Creating value for business, society and the environment. Asian Journal of Sustainability and Social Responsibility, 2: 59–74. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41180-017-0016-5   [Google Scholar]
  13. Carroll AB and Shabana KM (2010). The business case for corporate social responsibility: A review of concepts, research and practice. International Journal of Management Reviews, 12: 85-105. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2009.00275.x   [Google Scholar]
  14. Chatzopoulou EC, Manolopoulos D, and Agapitou V (2022). Corporate social responsibility and employee outcomes: Interrelations of external and internal orientations with job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Journal of Business Ethics, 179: 795–817. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04872-7   [Google Scholar]
  15. Chen Y and Jin S (2023). Corporate social responsibility and green technology innovation: The moderating role of stakeholders. Sustainability, 15(10): 8164. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15108164   [Google Scholar]
  16. Cherniwchan J, Copeland BR, and Taylor MS (2017). Trade and the environment: New methods, measurements, and results. Annual Review of Economics, 9(1): 59-85. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-economics-063016-103756   [Google Scholar]
  17. Chintrakarn P, Jiraporn P, and Treepongkaruna S (2021). How do independent directors view corporate social responsibility (CSR) during a stressful time? Evidence from the financial crisis. International Review of Economics and Finance, 7: 143-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2020.08.007   [Google Scholar]
  18. Dahlsrud A (2008). How corporate social responsibility is defined: an analysis of 37 definitions. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 15: 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.132   [Google Scholar]
  19. Daugaard D (2020). Emerging new themes in environmental, social and governance investing: A systematic literature review. Accounting & Finance, 60: 1501–1530. https://doi.org/10.1111/acfi.12479   [Google Scholar]
  20. David-Barrett E, Yakis-Douglas B, Moss-Cowan A, and Nguyen Y (2017). A bitter pill? Institutional corruption and the challenge of antibribery compliance in the pharmaceutical sector. Journal of Management Inquiry, 26(3): 326-347. https://doi.org/10.1177/1056492617696885   [Google Scholar]
  21. de Lange DE, Busch T, and Delgado-Ceballos J (2012). Sustaining sustainability in organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 110: 151–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1425-0   [Google Scholar]
  22. de Oliveira UR, Menezes RP, and Fernandes VA (2024). A systematic literature review on corporate sustainability: Contributions, barriers, innovations and future possibilities. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26: 3045–3079. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-02933-7   [Google Scholar] PMid:36687736 PMCid:PMC9839962
  23. Dinh JE, Lord RG, Gardner WL, Meuser JD, Liden RC, and Hu J (2014). Leadership theory and research in the new millennium: Current theoretical trends and changing perspectives. The Leadership Quarterly, 25(1): 36-62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2013.11.005   [Google Scholar]
  24. Doh JP and Quigley NR (2014). Responsible leadership and stakeholder management: Influence pathways and organizational outcomes. Academy of Management Perspectives, 28(3): 255-274. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2014.0013   [Google Scholar]
  25. Dong E, Sun R, and Lee Y (2024). Linking interacting/engaging environmental CSR communication strategy and employees' pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs): Mediating roles of communal relationship and employee empowerment. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 29(3): 451-472. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCIJ-05-2023-0068   [Google Scholar]
  26. Du S, El Akremi A, and Jia M (2023). Quantitative research on corporate social responsibility: A quest for relevance and rigor in a quickly evolving, turbulent world. Journal of Business Ethics, 187: 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-022-05297-6   [Google Scholar] PMid:36465988 PMCid:PMC9702776
  27. Dumay J, Frost G, and Beck C (2015). Material legitimacy: Blending organisational and stakeholder concerns through non-financial information disclosures. Journal of Accounting and Organizational Change, 11(1): 2-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAOC-06-2013-0057   [Google Scholar]
  28. El-Kassar AN, Makki D, Gonzalez-Perez MA, and Cathro V (2023). Doing well by doing good: Why is investing in university social responsibility a good business for higher education institutions cross culturally? Cross Cultural and Strategic Management, 30(1): 142-165. https://doi.org/10.1108/CCSM-12-2021-0233   [Google Scholar]
  29. Fatima T and Elbanna S (2023). Corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation: A review and a research agenda towards an integrative framework. Journal of Business Ethics, 183(1): 105–121. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-022-05047-8   [Google Scholar] PMid:35125567 PMCid:PMC8807959
  30. Galbreath J (2006). Corporate social responsibility strategy: Strategic options, global considerations. Corporate Governance, 6(2): 175-187. https://doi.org/10.1108/14720700610655178   [Google Scholar]
  31. García CJ, Herrero B, Miralles-Quirós JL, and del Mar Miralles-Quirós M (2023). Exploring the determinants of corporate green bond issuance and its environmental implication: The role of corporate board. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 189: 122379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122379   [Google Scholar]
  32. Garrido‐Miralles P, Zorio‐Grima A, and García‐Benau MA (2016). Sustainable development stakeholder engagement and analyst forecasts’ accuracy: Positive evidence from the Spanish setting. Sustainable Development, 24(2): 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.1607   [Google Scholar]
  33. Garriga E and Melé D (2004). Corporate social responsibility theories: Mapping the territory. Journal of Business Ethics, 53: 51-71. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000039399.90587.34   [Google Scholar]
  34. Haelterman H (2022). Breaking silos of legal and regulatory risks to outperform traditional compliance approaches. European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 28(1): 19–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10610-020-09468-x   [Google Scholar]
  35. Hishan SS, Ramakrishnan S, and Jusoh A (2020). Corporate social responsibility for climate change using social contracts: A new research agenda. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 23(S6): 710-713. https://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2020.23618   [Google Scholar]
  36. Hummel K, Schlick C, and Fifka M (2019). The role of sustainability performance and accounting assurors in sustainability assurance engagements. Journal of Business Ethics, 154(3): 733–757. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3410-5   [Google Scholar]
  37. Islam MF, Zhang J, and Hasan N (2020). Assessing the adoption of sustainability practices in tourism industry: Insights from a developing country. The Bottom Line, 33(1): 94-115. https://doi.org/10.1108/BL-09-2019-0113   [Google Scholar]
  38. Jamali D and Karam C (2018). Corporate social responsibility in developing countries as an emerging field of study. International Journal of Management Reviews, 20(1): 32-61. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12112   [Google Scholar]
  39. Jenkins H (2006). Small business champions for corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 67: 241-256. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9182-6   [Google Scholar]
  40. Jones Christensen LI, Mackey A, and Whetten D (2014). Taking responsibility for corporate social responsibility: The role of leaders in creating, implementing, sustaining, or avoiding socially responsible firm behaviors. Academy of Management Perspectives, 28(2): 164-178. https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2012.0047   [Google Scholar]
  41. Khan AJ, Hameed WU, Ahmed T, Iqbal J, Aplin J, and Leahy S (2024). Green behaviors and innovations: A green HRM perspective to move from traditional to sustainable environmental performance. Employee Responsibilities and Rights Journal, 36(2): 231–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10672-023-09443-8   [Google Scholar]
  42. Kholaif MMNHK, Ming X, Moosa A, and David KG (2022). The ISO 26000’s labor environmental issues during COVID-19: Does corporate social responsibility help? Evidence from the Egyptian small and medium enterprises. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29: 17117–17131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17024-1   [Google Scholar] PMid:34655379 PMCid:PMC8519746
  43. Khuong MN, Truong an NK, Thanh Hang TT, and Adeola O (2021). Stakeholders and corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme as key sustainable development strategies to promote corporate reputation—Evidence from Vietnam. Cogent Business and Management, 8(1): 1917333. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1917333   [Google Scholar]
  44. Knights D and Morgan G (1991). Corporate strategy, organizations, and subjectivity: A critique. Organization Studies, 12(2): 251-273. https://doi.org/10.1177/017084069101200205   [Google Scholar]
  45. Kuokkanen H and Sun W (2020). Companies, meet ethical consumers: Strategic CSR management to impact consumer choice. Journal of Business Ethics, 166(2): 403–423. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04145-4   [Google Scholar]
  46. Le TT (2022). How do corporate social responsibility and green innovation transform corporate green strategy into sustainable firm performance? Journal of Cleaner Production, 362: 132228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132228   [Google Scholar]
  47. Leknoi U, Painmanakul P, Chawaloesphonsiya N, Wimolsakcharoen W, Samritthinanta C, and Yiengthaisong A (2024). Building sustainable community: Insight from successful waste management initiative. Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances, 24: 200238. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcradv.2024.200238   [Google Scholar]
  48. Leknoi U, Yiengthaisong A, and Likitlersuang S (2022). Community engagement initiative amid climate change crisis: Empirical evidence from a survey across Bangkok Metropolis of Thailand. Cities, 131: 103995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2022.103995   [Google Scholar]
  49. López‐Concepción A, Gil‐Lacruz AI, and Saz‐Gil I (2022). Stakeholder engagement, Csr development and Sdgs compliance: A systematic review from 2015 to 2021. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 29(1): 19-31. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2170   [Google Scholar]
  50. Maccarrone P and Contri AM (2021). Integrating corporate social responsibility into corporate strategy: The role of formal tools. Sustainability, 13(22): 12551. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212551   [Google Scholar]
  51. Maignan I and Ralston D (2002). Corporate social responsibility in Europe and the U.S.: Insights from businesses self-presentations. Journal of International Business Studies, 33: 497–514. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jibs.8491028   [Google Scholar]
  52. McWilliams A, Siegel DS, and Wright PM (2006). Corporate social responsibility: Strategic implications. Journal of Management Studies, 43(1): 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2006.00580.x   [Google Scholar]
  53. Meyer JW and Jepperson RL (2000). The “Actors” of modern society: The cultural construction of social agency. Sociological Theory, 18(1): 100-120. https://doi.org/10.1111/0735-2751.00090   [Google Scholar]
  54. Mitchell RK, Agle BR, and Wood DJ (1997). Toward a theory of stakeholder identification and salience: Defining the principle of who and what really counts. Academy of Management Review, 22(4): 853–886. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1997.9711022105   [Google Scholar]
  55. Moon HC and Parc J (2019). Shifting corporate social responsibility to corporate social opportunity through creating shared value. Strategic Change, 28: 115-122. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsc.2252   [Google Scholar]
  56. Nandy M, Kuzey C, Uyar A, Lodh S, and Karaman AS (2023). Can CSR mechanisms spur GRI adoption and restore its lost value relevance? Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 24(4): 609-634. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAAR-03-2022-0068   [Google Scholar]
  57. Norman W and MacDonald C (2004). Getting to the bottom of “triple bottom line.” Business Ethics Quarterly, 14(2): 243-262. https://doi.org/10.5840/beq200414211   [Google Scholar]
  58. Noronha C, Guan J, and Fan J (2018). Firm value and social contribution with the interaction of corporate governance: Social contribution value per share. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 9(2): 165-200. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-10-2016-0078   [Google Scholar]
  59. Öberseder M, Schlegelmilch BB, and Gruber V (2011). “Why don’t consumers care about CSR?”: A qualitative study exploring the role of CSR in consumption decisions. Journal of Business Ethics, 104: 449-460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0925-7   [Google Scholar]
  60. Paoloni P, Lombardi R, and Principale S (2023). The impact of gender diversity on corporate social responsibility knowledge: Empirical analysis in European context. Journal of Knowledge Management, 27(9): 2484-2498. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-07-2022-0512   [Google Scholar]
  61. Parguel B, Benoît-Moreau F, and Larceneux F (2011). How sustainability ratings might deter ‘greenwashing’: A closer look at ethical corporate communication. Journal of Business Ethics, 102: 15-28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0901-2   [Google Scholar]
  62. Persakis A, Fassas A, and Koutoupis A (2024). How does world economic policy uncertainty influence the carbon dioxide emission reporting and performance? Study of Fortune Global 500 firms. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(16): 24014–24041. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32643-0   [Google Scholar] PMid:38438639 PMCid:PMC10998795
  63. Rahmani A, Naeini AB, Mashayekh J, Aboojafari R, Daim T, and Yalcin H (2024). Green innovation for a greener future: A meta-analysis of the impact on environmental performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 460: 142547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.142547   [Google Scholar]
  64. Roberson QM (2006). Disentangling the meanings of diversity and inclusion in organizations. Group and Organization Management, 31(2): 212-236. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601104273064   [Google Scholar]
  65. Schrempf-Stirling J, Van Buren HJ, and Wettstein F (2022). Human rights: A promising perspective for business and society. Business and Society, 61(5): 1282-1321. https://doi.org/10.1177/00076503211068425   [Google Scholar]
  66. Siltaloppi J, Rajala R, and Hietala H (2021). Integrating CSR with business strategy: A tension management perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 174: 507–527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-020-04569-3   [Google Scholar]
  67. Smit L, Holly G, McCorquodale R, and Neely S (2020). Human rights due diligence in global supply chains: evidence of corporate practices to inform a legal standard. The International Journal of Human Rights, 25(6): 945–973. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1799196   [Google Scholar]
  68. Sun Z, Wang W, Wang W, and Sun X (2023). How does digital transformation affect corporate social responsibility performance? From the dual perspective of internal drive and external governance. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 31(2): 1156-1176. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2615   [Google Scholar]
  69. Taghian M, D'Souza C, and Polonsky M (2015). A stakeholder approach to corporate social responsibility, reputation and business performance. Social Responsibility Journal Social Responsibility Journal, 11(2): 340-363. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-06-2012-0068   [Google Scholar]
  70. Uyar A, Elbardan H, Kuzey C, and Karaman AS (2023). Audit and CSR committees: Are they complements or substitutes in CSR reporting, assurance and GRI framework adoption? International Journal of Accounting and Information Management, 31(1): 1-36. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJAIM-04-2022-0086   [Google Scholar]
  71. van Doorn J, Onrust M, Verhoef PC, and Bügel M (2017). The impact of corporate social responsibility on customer attitudes and retention-The moderating role of brand success indicators. Marketing Letters, 28: 607–619. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11002-017-9433-6   [Google Scholar]
  72. Wan Afandi WNH, Jamal J, and Mat Saad MZ (2021). The role of CSR communication in strengthening corporate reputation. International Journal of Modern Trends in Social Sciences, 4(17): 43-53. https://doi.org/10.35631/IJMTSS.417005   [Google Scholar]
  73. Yuan Y, Lu LY, Tian G, and Yu Y (2020). Business strategy and corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 162: 359–377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-018-3952-9   [Google Scholar]