Corporate Social Responsibility: Foundations, Practices, and Implications for Sustainable Development

This article explores the foundations, practices, and implications of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in shaping sustainable and inclusive futures. It traces CSR’s evolution from Carroll’s pyramid to contemporary sustainability frameworks, emphasizing its role in risk management, employee engagement, innovation, and community development. Case studies illustrate how companies integrate CSR into core strategies, linking profitability with integrity and addressing systemic inequities in both developed and developing contexts. The analysis underscores CSR’s dual value: as a vehicle for corporate legitimacy and as a catalyst for equitable development.