Development Path of Corporate Social Responsibility Theories

Abstract

This paper is conducted to describe the development of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) theories. It purposes to generate a mapping of CSR theories by applying a descriptive qualitative approach and literature review of some previous studies. This conceptual paper shows the evolution of theories in CSR field by finding the linkages and the gaps among them. CSR concept was firstly derived from criticisms of Shareholder Theory. The criticisms then brought out Stakeholder Theory as the root of CSR concept. Along with the development, then some new theories emerged within 1980s until 2000s as the improvements of CSR concept. The result of this study is an evolution model of CSR theories which is useful to conduct further research in building some novel theories of CSR which are relevant with current situations. So that the concept of CSR will be continuously developed to answer the challenges of dynamic business world in order to achieve sustainability.