The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 January 2025) | Viewed by 14911

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Finance & Economics, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Interests: CSR; corporate governance; ethics; green finance; sustainability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The forthcoming Special Issue in our journal, dedicated to The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), will serve as a pivotal platform for in-depth exploration and analysis of this ever-evolving field. With a focus on the evolving landscape of CSR, we aim to elucidate the intricate interplay between business, society, and the environment. Our scope encompasses a wide array of topics, including the shifting paradigms of CSR, the role of emerging technologies, the influence of regulatory frameworks, and the ethical dimensions of corporate engagement. By examining these facets, we intend to supplement the existing literature by offering fresh perspectives and innovative insights into the future trajectories of CSR. As CSR continues to undergo transformation, this Special Issue will equip scholars and practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of how corporations can proactively address the most pressing global challenges while achieving sustainable business growth. Through a multidisciplinary approach, we aim to enrich the discourse on CSR, bridging gaps in knowledge and inspiring novel avenues for research and practice.

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 Leyuan You at ly17@txstate.edu or to the Administrative Sciences Editorial Office (admsci@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer-review.

Dr. Leyuan You
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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 1400 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

  • CSR
  • future
  • innovation
  • technology
  • regulation
  • ethics

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

25 pages, 824 KiB  
Article
Corporate Social Responsibility Trajectory: Mining Reputational Capital
by Lars E. Isaksson
Adm. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15030095 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 880
Abstract
This study proposes that MNCs might withdraw from the CSR concept to gain tangible benefits, like improved corporate financial performance (CFP), and intangible benefits, such as reputational capital (RC). This represents a paradigm shift from the philanthropic end of the spectrum to the [...] Read more.
This study proposes that MNCs might withdraw from the CSR concept to gain tangible benefits, like improved corporate financial performance (CFP), and intangible benefits, such as reputational capital (RC). This represents a paradigm shift from the philanthropic end of the spectrum to the strategic win–win side, where all investments are expected to yield a return. Being tacit, quests for reputational returns are discussed in terms of corporate social performance (CSP) with its currency being RC (an intangible asset). However, this requires a deep understanding of the CSP concept and ‘good management’. This study argues that CSR will change trajectory based on three facets. First, we argue for the replacement of CSR by CSP, where ESG becomes ‘business as usual’. Second, regulatory categories (voluntary or legislated) will merge. Third, ethics endorsing ‘good management’ will alter executive mindsets, making CSP deeply embedded in corporate behavior. Organizational behavior towards CSP must, therefore, be sincere yet not embedded overwhelmingly. We extend previous discussions regarding the relationship between CSP and CFP, who present robust evidence that (1) absent CSR embedment has no/neutral CSP and CFP effect; (2) inadequate CSR yields negative CSP and CFP; and (3) productive CSR positively affects CSP and CFP. Consequently, this study argues that (4) strategic CSR (SCSR) maximizes positive CSP and that (5) excessive CSR is detrimental, yielding negative effects on both CSP and CFP. This study, therefore, conjectures the existence of a ‘sweet spot’, where SCSR optimizes CSP and CFP outcomes. The contributions address ESG engagement as a ‘sweet spot’ concept and provide a model enabling SCSR discussion, CSP evaluations, and an implementation framework for its achievement. The framework gives executives a toolbox to influence their stakeholders toward improved CFP. Therefore, our perspective supports CSP embedment, enabling firms to address business growth and sustainability requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility)
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 777 KiB  
Article
Can Corporate Social Responsibility Shift Consumer Behavior? Insights from Scenario-Based Experiment in the Fast Fashion Industry
by Piotr Zaborek and Dominika Nowakowska
Adm. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 283; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14110283 - 4 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 6778
Abstract
This study investigates the interplay between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagement and pricing strategies in shaping consumer purchase intentions in the fast fashion industry. Using a scenario-based experimental design with 267 participants, this research explores how different levels of CSR and two distinct [...] Read more.
This study investigates the interplay between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagement and pricing strategies in shaping consumer purchase intentions in the fast fashion industry. Using a scenario-based experimental design with 267 participants, this research explores how different levels of CSR and two distinct price points influence purchasing behavior. Additionally, the moderating effects of individual differences, such as consumer wealth, motivations for sustainable behavior, and income, are examined. The findings indicate that higher levels of CSR engagement significantly enhance purchase intentions, particularly when combined with higher price points, perhaps due to consumer perceptions of CSR programs associated with more expensive brands as more authentic. However, price remains a critical factor for lower-income consumers, revealing an “ethical consumption gap” where affordability outweighs ethical concerns. Extrinsic motivations, such as social pressure, strongly influence wealthier consumers’ decisions, while intrinsic motivations show a more complex relationship with purchasing behavior. The findings provide practical insights for fast fashion brands, suggesting that aligning CSR with competitive pricing and authentic messaging is crucial for appealing to both price-sensitive and ethically conscious consumers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility)
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 1887 KiB  
Article
Digitalization and Corporate Social Responsibility: A Case Study of the Moroccan Auto Insurance Sector
by Soukaina Abdallah-Ou-Moussa, Martin Wynn, Omar Kharbouch and Zakaria Rouaine
Adm. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14110282 - 2 Nov 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3002
Abstract
The aim of this article is to explore the impact of digitalization on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the automobile insurance sector in Morocco. This article first explores the theoretical and conceptual foundations of digital transformation and CSR. A mixed methods approach is [...] Read more.
The aim of this article is to explore the impact of digitalization on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the automobile insurance sector in Morocco. This article first explores the theoretical and conceptual foundations of digital transformation and CSR. A mixed methods approach is then used, combining qualitative interviews with a wider quantitative survey, to investigate how digital innovations influence CSR practices. Interview analysis provides the basis for the development of a conceptual framework and eight hypotheses, which are then tested using quantitative techniques to analyze survey data. The results reveal several links between the benefits of digitalization and CSR. Claims management platforms, digital roadside assistance tools, and digital vehicle assessment and inspection all positively impact policyholders’ well-being in terms of compensation and asset preservation, thereby enhancing the CSR profile of automobile insurers. Similarly, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) training and simulation, as well as repair assistance, have positive impacts on policyholders’ well-being and advance the CSR positioning of automobile insurers. This article has limitations as it is based on a narrow industrial sector in a single country, but it nonetheless highlights certain relevant interrelationships between digitalization and CSR, contributing to the development of theory and practice in these research areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 1103 KiB  
Article
Strengthening Resilience: Social Responsibility and Citizen Participation in Local Governance
by María Isabel Sánchez-Hernández
Adm. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14100260 - 15 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3242
Abstract
The concept of resilience has gained significant prominence across various disciplines, particularly in the context of regional development. Specifically, the Social Responsibility of Local Public Administrations (SRLPA) may play a significant role in fostering resilient territories. This study proposes a second-order model utilizing [...] Read more.
The concept of resilience has gained significant prominence across various disciplines, particularly in the context of regional development. Specifically, the Social Responsibility of Local Public Administrations (SRLPA) may play a significant role in fostering resilient territories. This study proposes a second-order model utilizing Structural Equation Modeling—Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) to investigate the complex relationships between the SRLPA and citizen participation in municipal affairs. The proposed model comprises six dimensions for the SRLPA: good governance values, efficiency, transparency, economic issues, environmental concerns, and socio-labor matters. One of the primary contributions of this study is the development and operationalization of a scale designed to measure the construct of the SRLPA. Additionally, empirical analysis shows that the relationship between the SRLPA and citizen participation is indirect. Instead, SRLPA exerts its influence through two mediating variables: citizen connection with the municipality and the perceived bond with the local government. The findings suggest that to positively impact citizen participation, the SRLPA must strengthen relationships with citizens, thereby enhancing their engagement in municipal affairs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop