Shifting Trends in Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Business Practices

Abstract

The financial crisis of 2008 altered private and public attitudes toward corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability initiatives. The associated changes in consumer preferences, social media, and resource scarcity have made CSR sustainability initiatives an important paradigm for small businesses and corporate entities. Despite research implications of the benefits of CSR, there are organizations that are more focused on profit-seeking investment and do not consider CSR as an important objective in business strategies. Major contributions of this research are suggesting how Kohlberg's stages of morality can contribute to leadership attributes and sustainability and CSR adaptation. This chapter provides real-world examples of business organizations that are adopting CSR into a viable business model. The future direction of this research field is also presented in this effort.