Corporate social responsibility practices of public and private firms: an exploration of education and healthcare initiatives

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to compare the key corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices being practiced by selected private and public sector companies with special reference to education and healthcare practices. The findings of the study indicate CSR activities of the selected firms in India are primarily addressing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) relating to health, education, work and economic growth, gender equality, water and sanitation, and life on land. The most desired activity as a part of healthcare according to policymakers of public sector entities were organising health check-up camps. However, it has also been seen that the percentage of involvement of the public sector is more than that of the private sector. The private sector corporates in India need to follow the example of these large public sector companies of India, and there is a need to bridge the gap in resource allocation for CSR activities between the public and the private firms.