Corporate social responsibility: just another management trend?

This paper critically examines the literature surrounding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and looks at the explosion of interest in the topic developing over the past decade. It will attempt to trace the development of CSR, in the literature and in application, beginning with the work of the philosopher Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations” (1776) and ending in a summation of current practice and theory. In reviewing the current situation of CSR, this paper will attempt to determine the prevalence of modern CSR, both in terms of amount and type of work being done. This study will also elucidate what modern day corporations may be hoping to achieve through CSR and how successful they may have been at doing so. Hence, this review will endeavour to contribute a holistic understanding of CSR while providing organisations interested in CSR with potential practical avenues for implementation.