Corporate social responsibility as a catalyst for governance effectiveness and socio-environmental sustainability in resource-dependent contexts

The governance of socio-ecological systems increasingly requires participatory approaches that integrate stakeholder interaction, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainability outcomes. This study develops and validates a multidimensional framework to examine how stakeholder interaction influences governance effectiveness and socio-environmental sustainability, with CSR as a mediating mechanism. Using survey data from mining-related stakeholders and institutions in Takab County, Iran, Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied to test structural relationships consistent with the proposed theoretical model. The model showed strong reliability and validity. Findings indicate that stakeholder interaction significantly improves governance (β = 0.380), CSR (β = 0.679), and sustainability (β = 0.371). CSR further enhances governance (β = 0.408) and sustainability outcomes (β = 0.475), partially mediating both relationships (VAF = 42.1%, 46.5%). IPMA analysis, grounded in Takab's socio-environmental context, identified key governance levers (e.g., job satisfaction, social welfare, participation, and environmental solidarity) as high-impact yet underperforming. The quadrant-based mapping revealed institutional strengths and gaps, enabling targeted interventions and offering an adaptable diagnostic framework with the potential for transferability to similar resource-dependent socio-ecological systems. This study contributes to global sustainability debates by integrating stakeholder interaction, CSR, and governance into a unified SEM framework. Its originality lies in operationalizing CSR as a catalytic (mediating) mechanism, providing evidence for its role as a key transmission pathway, rather than a mere correlate, linking stakeholder interaction to governance and sustainability outcomes. • CSR serves as a key mediator enhancing governance and sustainability in resource-dependent regions. • Stakeholder interaction significantly boosts CSR (β = 0.679), governance (β = 0.380), and sustainability (β = 0.371). • IPMA reveals critical governance gaps in high-importance but underperforming areas. • The proposed SEM framework offers a transferable model for diagnosing institutional asymmetries. • The study redefines CSR as a strategic governance tool fostering participatory resilience.