PurposeThis study aims at presenting a normative approach in adaptation of the ethics of care approach and stakeholder theory. Therefore, it seeks to present a point‐of‐view regarding the related issues.Design/methodology/approachThe study focuses on a theory‐based integration process, since it is designed on a normative basis and the current studies dealing with “ethic of care theory” still have some problems in practical terms.FindingsIt is observed that ethics of care and stakeholder theory are getting more and more interrelated due to established networks and available common points. As a subfield of feminist ethic, ethics of care can be used to clarify moral principles lying behind these relationships. From another point of view, the discussion regarding the feminization of business enterprises focuses on the idea that such discussions involving the principles lying behind feminist ethics can provide an advantage for the companies in terms of competition. In addition, ethics of care is expected to contribute to stakeholder theory to a great extent.Research limitations/implicationsThe related literature includes a rather limited number of studies conducted on this research topic. The available research explains some relationships on a normative basis. Therefore, the current study is expected to contribute to the expansion of such research in the field.Practical implicationsDespite the presence of studies in the field, there is still a limitation in putting the findings of studies into practice. Since the country where the current study is conducted still suffers from ambiguities regarding the definitions of concepts and it is very difficult to find business enterprises appreciating feminist values, although they are taught to adopt philanthropy applications, the study is limited to a normative point‐of‐view regarding the issues.Originality/valueThe scope of the study is expected to contribute to a great extent to the integration of feminist ethic and stakeholder theory. Similarly, it will encourage further studies on the issue.

Purpose – This study aims to determine the efforts in the topic of women in the direction of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities as one of the stakeholders of the companies. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on a survey of what has been written on the topic of women and CSR in Turkey. The data obtained, and the methodology used, come from Web sites belonging to the top 50 of Turkey’s 500 Big Industrial Organizations as determined by the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) and sustainability reports. The data obtained were assessed through content analysis; they were categorized by themes and sub-themes. Findings – In analyzing the research data, CSR activities involving women as external and internal stakeholders were classified as direct, indirect or both. Research limitations/implications – Because this study is qualitative in nature, the findings cannot be generalized. At the same time, as the enterprises in the state sector do not have CSR links, the results focus primarily on the private sector. Practical implications – The results indicate that there have been efforts in Turkey to consider women as stakeholders in CSR activities; however, these efforts are limited. Social implications – Women are a part of community and they are stakeholders to businesses. Businesses could support women with CSR activities. Originality/value – A study such as this one of the role of women as stakeholders in Turkish enterprises may contribute to understanding the role of women in Turkey today.

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