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Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management: Integrating Ethical Practices with...
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Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management: Integrating Ethical Practices with Sustainable Goals

A special issue of Administrative Sciences (ISSN 2076-3387).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 19086

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Gianpaolo Tomaselli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Systems Management and Leadership, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida MS2080, Malta
Interests: corporate social responsibility (CSR); CSR in health; CSR and stakeholders’ health and wellbeing; sustainability; green and circular economy; health systems management & leadership; artificial intelligence (AI) and CSR
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Anna Roberta Gagliardi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering, Lum University, 70010 Casamassima, Italy
Interests: corporate social responsibility; sustainability; business ethics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores the evolving landscape of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in response to the dynamic interplay between business practices, societal expectations, and environmental challenges. As organizations face increasing scrutiny from stakeholders, including consumers, investors, and regulatory bodies, the integration of CSR into core business strategies has become more critical than ever.

Contributions in this issue shall examine CSR from diverse perspectives, addressing its role as a driver of sustainable growth, ethical governance, and stakeholder engagement. Topics will focus on the analysis of how businesses can navigate emerging trends such as climate change, social inequality, and digital transformation while maintaining their competitive edge. This Special Issue also highlights the influence of global frameworks such as the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in shaping CSR practices and fostering cross-sector collaborations.

Key themes include the transition from traditional philanthropy to strategic CSR initiatives, the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) metrics in decision making, and the rise in purpose-driven organizations. Additionally, the issue delves into the complexities of measuring CSR outcomes, managing trade-offs, and addressing greenwashing concerns.

This collection shall offer actionable insights for practitioners, policymakers, and scholars aiming to create resilient organizations that prioritize long-term value creation over short-term gains. By bridging theoretical and practical dimensions, it shall promote a transformative path for CSR, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to meet the demands of an interconnected and rapidly changing world.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200-500 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editors or to the Assistant Editor Ms. Zoya Zhang (zoya.zhang@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors to ensure a proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer-review.

Dr. Gianpaolo Tomaselli
Dr. Anna Roberta Gagliardi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Administrative Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • corporate social responsibility (CSR)
  • sustainability
  • environmental, social, and governance (ESG)
  • shared value
  • stakeholder engagement
  • social impact
  • business ethics
  • purpose-driven organizations
  • corporate accountability
  • sustainable development goals (SDGs)

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1406 KB  
Article
Impacts of the Installation of the São João Monument on the Residents in a City in the Interior of Brazil
by Luísa Cagica Carvalho, Josiane Rodrigues dos Santos, Silvio Roberto Stefani, Gelson Menon and Josélia Elvira Teixeira
Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 172; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16040172 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 579
Abstract
In the current context of the complexity of municipal management, the sustainable development of communities and compliance with the “2030 Agenda” objectives are essential. These objectives aim to reduce the negative environmental impact of cities by the year 2030, with special attention to [...] Read more.
In the current context of the complexity of municipal management, the sustainable development of communities and compliance with the “2030 Agenda” objectives are essential. These objectives aim to reduce the negative environmental impact of cities by the year 2030, with special attention to issues such as air quality and municipal waste management, among other UN actions. The main objective is to verify the impacts on the residents around the São João monument, located in a city in the interior of Brazil, with its installation following the principles of sustainable development, Agenda 2030, and SDG 8. It is relevant to verify, with the rural community, the positive and negative impacts on the quality of life and development of families who reside around the São João monument. The research method was a single case study, and the data collection techniques were qualitative. Finally, the results point to benefits for the community with the implementation of the São João monument, such as the generation of income and jobs, the development of tourism, and compliance with SDG 8, goal 8.9. However, improvements in local planning and development are still needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management: Integrating Ethical Practices with Sustainable Goals)
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28 pages, 580 KB  
Article
Rethinking Hospital Sustainability: Integrating Circular and Green Economy Principles Within Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility and Management Frameworks
by Gianpaolo Tomaselli, Gloria Macassa, Karen Maria Borg, Jose Guilherme Couto, Jonathan L. Portelli, Karen Borg Grima and Sandra C. Buttigieg
Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(4), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16040170 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 709
Abstract
Hospitals play a central role in promoting health and well-being, yet they are also among the most resource-intensive institutions, contributing significantly to environmental degradation through high energy and water consumption, extensive waste generation, and reliance on single-use materials. This conceptual paper explores how [...] Read more.
Hospitals play a central role in promoting health and well-being, yet they are also among the most resource-intensive institutions, contributing significantly to environmental degradation through high energy and water consumption, extensive waste generation, and reliance on single-use materials. This conceptual paper explores how principles of the circular economy and green economy can be integrated into hospital operations through a strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) framework, reframing sustainability as a strategic management issue rather than a compliance-driven activity. Drawing on environmental economics, sustainability studies, and institutional theory, the paper develops an integrated conceptual model structured around the environmental, social, and economic pillars of sustainability. Within this framework, four interconnected operational domains are identified: waste management and circular practices, energy consumption and renewable integration, sustainable procurement and circular supply chains, and economic and policy incentives. The social dimension explicitly encompasses healthcare staff and patients, addressing issues of workforce well-being, health education, safety, quality of life, and equitable care delivery. This advances theory by positioning strategic CSR as a function of circular and green economy, yielding a new model for hospitals, S-CSR = f(CE, GE). The paper also examines institutional and cultural barriers that constrain sustainability implementation and highlights the role of strategic leadership, governance, and system-wide innovation in overcoming these challenges. While not empirical, the study provides a theoretical foundation to inform future research, policy development, and strategic decision-making aimed at advancing sustainable, low-carbon, and resilient healthcare systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management: Integrating Ethical Practices with Sustainable Goals)
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16 pages, 375 KB  
Article
Bridging ESG and Sustainable HRM: Evidence from Lebanon’s Crisis-Driven Work Environment
by Mohammad Makki, Nada Jabbour Al Maalouf, Mary Jane Chouaa and Sibelle Freiha
Adm. Sci. 2026, 16(3), 108; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci16030108 - 25 Feb 2026
Viewed by 700
Abstract
The concept of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) has emerged as a central framework for organizational sustainability, alongside employee performance and retention as critical human capital outcomes. This study addresses a notable gap in the literature by situating ESG practices within the field [...] Read more.
The concept of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) has emerged as a central framework for organizational sustainability, alongside employee performance and retention as critical human capital outcomes. This study addresses a notable gap in the literature by situating ESG practices within the field of sustainable human resource management and examining their role in the Lebanese cultural settings, characterized by a vulnerable institutional ecosystem and crisis-driven work environments. A quantitative method was employed using a structured questionnaire, yielding a sample of 495 respondents. The results showed that environmental and governance practices significantly influenced employee performance, whereas social responsibility initiatives did not have a statistically significant effect on performance. All ESG dimensions significantly influenced employee retention. This study advances ESG and sustainable HRM research by providing employee-level empirical evidence from a crisis-affected economy, demonstrating how ESG practices function as internal performance and retention mechanisms rather than solely as external legitimacy tools. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management: Integrating Ethical Practices with Sustainable Goals)
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24 pages, 916 KB  
Article
Environmental Conservation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Insights from Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Using Stakeholder and Environmental Justice Theories
by Ekene Agigwom Ebisi, Yongsheng Guo and Zahoor Ahmed Soomro
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 275; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15070275 - 14 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6090
Abstract
The oil and gas industry remains vital to the global economy, yet its operations contribute significantly to environmental degradation, one of the most urgent challenges of the 21st century. This study explores the lived experiences of those directly impacted by the negative externalities [...] Read more.
The oil and gas industry remains vital to the global economy, yet its operations contribute significantly to environmental degradation, one of the most urgent challenges of the 21st century. This study explores the lived experiences of those directly impacted by the negative externalities of oil and gas activities, with a focus on gas flaring, oil spills, and habitat loss. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental conservation in lower-income countries remain underexplored in the existing literature. This study addresses that gap by specifically examining Nigeria’s oil and gas industry context. It examines the extent to which CSR initiatives address or intensify these environmental issues, raising the central question: to what extent do CSR efforts contribute meaningfully to environmental conservation, and how are they perceived by affected communities? Using an exploratory qualitative approach, this study draws on in-depth, face-to-face interviews with key stakeholders, including oil company staff and host community members. Data were analysed thematically through inductive coding, leading to the construction of one overarching theme: “CSR as a strategic response.” This theme emerged from three central codes—afforestation, shore protection, and environmental conservation and remediation. Findings suggest that CSR must evolve from transactional interventionist gestures to long-term ecological stewardship. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management: Integrating Ethical Practices with Sustainable Goals)
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25 pages, 1418 KB  
Article
The Impact of Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility on Organizational Resilience—An Exploratory Case Study Based on Tesla
by Xiaoping Liu and Yishu Zhou
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(6), 212; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15060212 - 29 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 9894
Abstract
In today’s complex business environments, integrating strategic corporate social responsibility (SCSR) is essential for aligning business objectives with societal interests and strengthening organizational resilience. Using Tesla as a case study, we applied stakeholder theory, grounded theory, and the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model to construct [...] Read more.
In today’s complex business environments, integrating strategic corporate social responsibility (SCSR) is essential for aligning business objectives with societal interests and strengthening organizational resilience. Using Tesla as a case study, we applied stakeholder theory, grounded theory, and the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model to construct a theoretical framework on the impact of SCSR on organizational resilience and to examine the mechanisms underpinning this process. Through the implementation of SCSR, enterprises deeply engage with primary and public stakeholders, establish resilient relationships, and enhance organizational resilience through seven dimensions: development governance, strategic management, relationship, financial, product, cultural, and social. The theoretical framework developed in this study provides a reference for subsequent research on SCSR and organizational resilience, and offers management insights for enterprises to integrate SCSR, enhance organizational resilience, and improve long-term competitiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Social Responsibility and Strategic Management: Integrating Ethical Practices with Sustainable Goals)
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