Global Perspectives: Navigating the Diverse Terrain of Corporate Social Responsibility

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) acts as a conduit for corporations to merge business practices with ethical considerations, extending their purview beyond mere profit accumulation. The goal is to offer a thorough overview of CSR's progression and transformation, tracing its journey from an initial focus on a restricted set of stakeholders to a more expansive and globally impactful perspective. This exploration delves into the evolving nature of the concept, expanding from its initial localized emphasis to encompass a diverse spectrum of stakeholders. CSR's explicit mandate is to achieve enhanced management of all stakeholders, fostering increased accountability. Whether grounded in philanthropy or directed towards transparency, ethics, or community well-being, CSR places emphasis on environmental, social, and economic dimensions. While these dimensions take precedence for virtually all nations, the specific focal points vary, influenced by factors such as national history, policies, laws, and public preferences. This paper seeks to delve into the essence of CSR, subsequently investigating its presence and significance in both developed and developing nations. Significantly, distinctions in the role of governments regarding CSR activities come to light when contrasting developed and developing countries. The paper constitutes a reflective and comparative examination, drawing insights from diverse existing research literature across various countries globally.