Corporate Social Responsibility

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to a business approach that takes into account economic, environmental, and social issues in a balanced, holistic, and long-term manner for the benefit of current and future stakeholders. However, when did the term emerge? How has it evolved since its inception? Under what theoretical perspectives has it been approached? Through a narrative review of the literature, the research addresses these research questions to bring clarity to the field of study. The results of the research show that the term emerged in the 1950s, having evolved to include the economic, social, and environmental dimensions and that there are five motivations that drive its implementation: (1) alignment of interests between agents and principal, (2) satisfaction of stakeholder demands, (3) compliance with the institutional context, (4) obtaining a competitive advantage, and (5) maintaining congruence between the objectives of society and the objectives of the organization.