Examining the Link Between Corporate Social Responsibility and Human Resources: Implications for HRD Research and Practice

Abstract

This integrative literature review examines the links between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and human resources (HR). We review and closely examine three bodies of literature that discuss the CSR-HR link: (a) the CSR literature, (b) the human resource management (HRM) literature, and (c) the human resource development (HRD) literature. Our review suggests that although CSR and HR are closely interrelated, there is currently a lack of developmental perspectives underlying the CSR-HR link. Thus, based on our review of theoretical and empirical research, we point to four main areas in which HRD may play an important role in promoting CSR in organizations, including leadership development, education and training, culture change, and fostering critical reflection. Our findings underline the increasing relevance of CSR to the field of HR including HRM and HRD, and provide implications for HRD research and practice, along with recommendations for future research.