Learning Corporate Social Responsibility Foundations

Definition of corporate social responsibility

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to how companies run their core operations in a responsible and sustainable way to create positive social impact. It is described as a form of international private business self-regulation aimed at contributing to societal and environmental goals—often by reducing harm such as lowering a firm’s carbon footprint—and it is linked to ethical commitments in areas like production, employment, and investment. CSR can take philanthropic, activist, or charitable forms (e.g., volunteering, community development, and grants to nonprofits), but it is increasingly treated as a strategic, long-term approach that aligns with the company’s brand and integrates stakeholder expectations. For publicly listed companies, CSR is frequently expressed through environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices and reporting, and in some countries firms are required or encouraged by governments to measure and disclose their social and environmental impacts.

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Consumer perspectives on CSR

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