ABSTRACT
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has emerged as an important business response to pressure emanating from citizens and activists, as an alternative to government action to address pressing social issues, and as a form of non-market strategy. Companies are increasingly viewing their CSR actions and initiatives as part of their overall business strategy and operations. CSR is practiced in one form or another by nearly all publicly traded companies and many private and state-owned fi rms as well. Initially motivated by government and activist stakeholder pressure, CSR has become a more integral, routine part of a company’s portfolio of activities. Some companies have taken an especially proactive approach to CSR, applying the same strategic focus to these social initiatives as they do to more commercially driven projects and ventures.
