Mapping the Knowledge of CSR and Sustainability

Abstract

This paper focuses on two concepts frequently used and studied by researchers: corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. In recent decades, many authors have questioned the relevance and connection between the two topics. A bibliometric analysis will be carried out with SciMAT over the period 2003–2021, to understand the evolution and relationship of the aforementioned terms, but also to show the relevance of the link between the different clusters, and to observe the breakdown of the driving themes over the period 2003–2021. The final purpose is to draw conclusions and indicate possible trends that will drive the path of CSR and sustainability, thus increasing scientific knowledge. The results show that the number of articles related to CSR and sustainability is steadily increasing and that the main driving themes have been CSR, sustainability and environment. Furthermore, a link between CSR, sustainability and business has been found in the analysis of the different thematic networks. The future direction of the research could be marked by a further development of the new driving themes, among which stakeholder focus and branding image stand out.

Unfolding research themes for industrial symbiosis and underlying theories

“…Centrality measures the relevance of the subject's connections in relation to others (generalizable development of the subject). The density measures the cohesion level of the researched group (Sánchez‐Teba et al, 2021).…”

“…SciMAT software was used to make the longitudinal analysis, which performs a mapping analysis of a research field evolution (Cobo et al, 2011). Identifying bibliometric networks, SciMat shows the evolution of research themes and keywords by period, in addition to providing diagrams that rank such themes (Sánchez‐Teba et al, 2021).…”

“…With the exported data, the articles were processed and the analysis period created. To create the analysis period, the work of Sánchez-Teba et al (2021) was used as reference. These authors formed the analysis period checking the quantity of articles present in each period compared to the total quantity of articles.…”

“…After identifying the motor themes (main themes), the clusters belonging to the motor themes (associated themes) had their composition/evolution analyzed. It is noteworthy that this article focused only on motor themes, as they are well developed, have relevance and represent the construction of scientific knowledge of IS in a given period (Sánchez-Teba et al, 2021). To complete this analysis, articles that indicated some theory as a background for IS assessment were read manually.…”

Neuroscience and CSR: Using EEG for Assessing the Effectiveness of Branded Videos Related to Environmental Issues

“…Originally coined in 1953 by the American economist Howard Bowen, the term corporate social responsibility [25], is nowadays more broadly referred to as "a commitment to improve societal well-being through discretionary business practices and contributions of corporate resources" [26]. As such, corporate social responsibility (CSR) works as a form of internationally agreed upon corporate self-regulatory systems [27][28][29] based on the ethical responsibilities corporations have towards their communities, as originally defined by Carroll's pyramid with the economic responsibility at its base, followed by legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities [30].…”