Learning Corporate Social Responsibility Foundations

Definition and purpose of CSR

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to companies running their core operations in a responsible and sustainable way to create positive social impact. It is a form of international private business self-regulation aimed at contributing to societal and environmental goals by reducing harm, and it is tied to ethical commitments in areas such as production, employment, and investment. CSR can include philanthropy and community support (e.g., volunteering and grants), but many firms increasingly adopt a more holistic, strategic approach that aligns CSR with business goals and stakeholder needs. Because CSR is used across disciplines and by different stakeholders, there is no single universally agreed definition. Businesses may frame CSR as strategy, NGOs may view it through the lens of “greenwashing,” and governments may treat it as voluntary regulation. In practice, CSR often overlaps with ESG reporting for publicly listed companies, and in some countries it is supported by mandates or incentives for measuring and reporting impacts. Overall, CSR serves both ethical and strategic purposes: it can help reduce business and legal risk and improve performance, while critics argue it may distract from the firm’s economic role or function as window-dressing.

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Consumer perspectives on CSR

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