Corporate social responsibility and spirituality: emerging paradigms and a future research agenda

As Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) continues to evolve in response to global social and ethical challenges, the integration of spirituality into CSR practices is gaining increasing academic and managerial attention. While spirituality has traditionally been a latent element in the discourse on corporate responsibility, it is now being explicitly acknowledged as a potential driver of ethical transformation and stakeholder-oriented strategies. This systematic literature review investigates how spiritual values and leadership approaches contribute to the development of CSR frameworks across various business contexts. Using a ten-step bibliometric and qualitative methodology, the study identifies eight thematic clusters that structure the current body of knowledge: employee engagement and spiritual leadership; spirituality in business education and CSR; organizational culture and spiritual leadership; spirituality in healthcare and tourism industries; organizational development and cultural integration through spirituality; workplace well-being and spiritual leadership; community well-being and spiritual capital; and innovation and spirituality. The findings indicate that spirituality can support a more ethically grounded and inclusive model of CSR. However, the review also highlights the limited availability of empirical evidence regarding the measurable outcomes of spiritually informed CSR practices. In response to this gap, a future research agenda is proposed to explore how spirituality can enhance CSR legitimacy, strengthen employee and stakeholder engagement, and contribute to long-term value creation for firms. This study contributes to a renewed understanding of CSR as a multidimensional construct informed by ethical awareness and spiritual purpose.