BIBLIOMETRIC MAPPING OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY RESEARCH: TRENDS AND INSIGHTS IN THE CONTEXT OF CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY

A commitment to sustainability, with explicit consideration of the "triple bottom line" approach, is central to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The integration of sustainability objectives into CSR initiatives has the potential to foster shared value creation by generating positive economic, social, and environmental impacts. A holistic and strategic approach of CSR is of particular importance for the achievement of organizational goals and performance measures, as well as for ensuring transparency on matters of social responsibility. The aim of the present research paper is to gain insight into the complex construct of CSR and to understand the interconnections with corporate sustainability. In this regard, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on Web of Science (WOS). The resulting sample data was processed, presented, and analyzed with the VOSviewer and Excel software. Based on both, the literature review and bibliometric analysis, some notable conclusions can be drawn: emphasis on the circular economy as indicative of a transition towards more sustainable and resource-efficient business practices; advancement of sustainability oriented innovation; the role of reporting and disclosure practices in ensuring transparency and adherence to global standards; promotion of sustainability values and business ethics principles to ensure that organizations act responsibly towards society and the environment; and the importance of leadership and human resource management as important drivers in both the implementation of CSR initiatives and transformation towards organizational sustainability. The findings of the present study are of value to both the academic and research community, as well as for practitioners in the field.