Corporate social responsibility approaches of Turkish construction companies on the ENR list

Abstract Besides bringing substantial economic benefits globally, the construction industry has partnered with social responsibility and sustainability. Nowadays, the construction sector has no choice but to focus on the triple bottom line: social justice, environmental protection, and economic profit. Thus, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities of Turkish construction firms engaged in international projects are important for both the global competitiveness of the companies and the international image of Türkiye. In this regard, qualitative data analysis methods revealed the leading Turkish construction companies’ CSR activities and sustainability strategies per the Engineering News-Record (ENR) list. The research is based on the CSR activities of the companies in the domains of education and training, environmental protection, social equity, and cultural heritage. It investigates the influence of such activities on the companies’ international image and society in general. Thematic analysis is then applied to the data using MAXQDA software, where CSR activities are categorized under environmental sustainability, social development, and economic support. The focus is on providing the status of the Turkish construction industry in terms of CSR while exposing the areas that can be improved as the sector gets more competitive and global. The results reveal that environment-friendly practices bring about less environmental impact and more environmental benefits while helping companies enhance and maintain their long-term corporate performance and international recognition. The research aims to contribute to the academic literature and sectoral practices.