Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Goals: Examining the Inventory and Mapping the Future Research Agenda

ABSTRACT Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has assumed a crucial role in the modern business landscape, thereby moving beyond the realm of CSR as a voluntary engagement by firms. Businesses are expected to act responsively and be sensitive to the problems and issues faced by society at large. The development of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations in 2015 was a watershed event; the fulfillment of these goals requires concerted efforts from different stakeholders in society. There is enough evidence to believe that firms can, through CSR and otherwise, play a critical role in achieving these goals. Therefore, considerable research has taken place at the intersection of these two, providing valuable insights to researchers and practitioners. In connection with this line of research, the present study is a thematic review, the scope of which is to analyze the literature published on the role of CSR in achieving SDGs. The timeline for this search was between 2015 and 2024, with inclusion criteria of selecting articles focusing on CSR aimed at SDGs while excluding the standalone articles on CSR and SDGs. Literature highlights the importance of policy initiatives for strengthening the link between SDGs and CSR. The role of governments across the world in improving the nexus between CSR and SDGs to address the grand challenges faced by society is of crucial importance. Further, based on the extant literature, the study developed a framework to appraise the current body of knowledge and as an additional framework for future research. Substantial research highlights the role of CSR in achieving sustainability goals. CSR strategies work in line with the SDGs to generate goodwill from stakeholders and contribute to the overall development of society. The study suggests adopting a comprehensive approach integrating CSR strategies and sustainability models of business to improve both financial performance and social impact. Moreover, it is crucial for policymakers to strengthen the partnerships between businesses, higher education institutes, and the community to enhance the effectiveness of CSR initiatives.