Purpose of the research. The aim of the study is to study current trends in the development of corporate social responsibility (CSR), to determine its signifi cance and role in the formation and improvement of the competitiveness of industrial enterprises in the context of constantly increasing global competition. Methodology. To study the problem of social responsibility of industrial enterprises, work was carried out on a review of scientifi c and journalistic literature, analysis of statistical data, which led to the use of such classical research methods as the method of collecting information, empirical and statistical methods. Originality / value of the research. The application of sustainable measures to develop social responsibility in the practice of managing engineering enterprises is essential to ensure competitive advantages in a strategic perspective. In this regard, the analysis and adaptation of new approaches to CSR management, taking into account modern factors for strengthening the competitive advantages of enterprises and analyzing the interaction of production potential and CSR mechanisms, is a necessary condition for ensuring the competitiveness of mechanical engineering enterprises, which determines the value of this study. Findings. The article discusses the problems of CSR as a component of the management system for the strategic development of industrial enterprises, shows the role of CSR in the formation of the competitive advantages of large enterprises in a modern market economy. The main problems of the development of the social sphere in the context of increasing competition and increasing social responsibility of domestic industrial enterprises have been identifi ed. It is shown that the development of CSR is one of the most important conditions for the successful development of a model of a socially-oriented market in Kazakhstan, and fully complies with the program for the implementation of anti-crisis measures taken as part of the fi ght against the SARS-COVID-2019 pandemic. As a result of the study, the main directions of CSR development and its infl uence on the formation of the competitive advantages of industrial enterprises were determined.