The Evolution of Institutional Environment of Corporate Social Responsibility in Russia

Abstract

The article is devoted to the understanding of the main stages and prerequisites of the evolutionary development of socially responsible behaviour of subjects. The stages and factors of the development of socially responsible behaviour of subjects are presented in chronological order. The author emphasised that the rich experience and traditions of charity, philanthropy, philanthropy in the Russian state were destroyed by the revolution of 1917. A retrospective analysis of the evolution of social responsibility revealed a steady trend towards institutionalisation of assistance to those in need. At the present stage, the concept of corporate socialresponsibility is an effective tool for solving a wide range of economic, social and environmental problems. The author stressed that the formation of a socially oriented society is possible provided the involvement of all its institutions in the form of a consolidated solution of the whole complex of accumulated problems. The concept of corporate social responsibility is recognised as one of the tools for solving economic, social and environmental problems. The establishment of mutually beneficial relations between business and government representatives, the multiplication of the best practices of socially responsible behavior of Russian companies based on the study and adaptation of foreign standard practices, the preparation of social reporting according to international standards, the positive dynamics in the publication of non-financial reports —it all become the norm in the Russian economy. The author concluded that the current period of development of social responsibility in Russia is characterized by the primary institutionalization of corporate social responsibility with the involvement of large businesses, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders in the sustainable development of society.