Corporate Social Responsibility: In Global Context

Abstract

This is chapter one from the textbook Corporate Social Responsibility: Readings and Cases in Global Context written by Crane, Matten and Spence. It presents a comprehensive introduction to corporate social responsibility, including its rise to prominence, definition, and manifestation in different organizational and national contexts. A framework of six core characteristics of the CSR concept is introduced in order to provide clarity to a much contested and controversial subject.

Keywords: corporate social responsibility, stakeholders, externalities, values, philanthropy