Evaluating Corporate Social Responsibility in Achieving Sustainable Development and Social Welfare

Abstract

This study delves into the conceptualization of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a crucial factor for fostering sustainable development and enhancing social welfare. It addresses the challenge of comprehensively perceiving the contributions of CSR activities to sustainable and socially responsible corporate practices. Using a bibliometric approach, this research scrutinizes a substantial corpus of literature, extracting 4,276 documents covering from 2009 to 2024 from the Scopus database, centered on the interplay between CSR, sustainable development, and social welfare. The research utilized the R Biblioshiny software for data analysis incorporates descriptive, annual scientific production, most relevant sources, core sources by Bradford’s Law, most relevant affiliations, corresponding author’s countries, network, and trend analyses to chart the progression and influence of CSR within these realms. Findings underscore a marked expansion in CSR-related research, spotlighting its evolution from mere charity to an integral component of strategic business operations. Emerging patterns reveal that businesses increasingly view CSR as a pivotal part of their value proposition rather than an optional extra. Despite the growth of academic interest, the study has identified a lacuna in the empirical understanding of how CSR strategies are effectively implemented. Recommendations call for a more seamless incorporation of CSR into the very fabric of corporate strategy and operations. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for future research to develop precise metrics capable of quantifying CSR’s social and environmental effects. Contributing a nuanced perspective to the discourse on CSR, this research provides a foundational schema for further scholarly investigation, underscoring CSR’s dynamic and essential role in today’s corporate world.