Mapping the evolution of corporate social responsibility: a bibliometric study in applied social sciences

Anderson Antônio  Lima; Thiago de Luca Santana Ribeiro

doi:10.37497/2965-7393.SDGs-Countries.v5.n00.31

Authors

Anderson Antônio Lima Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE, São Paulo https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6014-2922
Thiago de Luca Santana Ribeiro Faculdade de Tecnologia do Estado de São Paulo (FATEC), São Paulo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1638-630X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37497/2965-7393.SDGs-Countries.v5.n00.31

Keywords:

Corporate Social Responsibility, Applied Social Sciences, Bibliometric research, Bibliographic coupling analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study's primary aim was to explore the conceptual-theoretical evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in applied social sciences. The objectives were categorized into three distinct analyses: a descriptive study tracing the development of CSR-related articles, an exploration of CSR's main theoretical foundations using co-citation analysis, and an examination of CSR's thematic boundaries through bibliographic coupling analysis.

Methodology: Employing a bibliometric approach, the research utilized co-citation and bibliographic coupling techniques. The data was analyzed both descriptively and represented through graphical mapping to elucidate the study's findings.

Results: The research successfully mapped the intellectual-theoretical structure of CSR in applied social sciences via co-citation analysis, revealing four significant clusters. Similarly, bibliographic coupling analysis identified four pivotal study clusters in CSR within this field.

Originality/Relevance: This study represents an initial attempt to systematically map the theoretical evolution of CSR in applied social sciences. It addresses a gap in revisional literature, offering insights into the emergence and development of CSR as a thematic area in this field.

Theoretical Contributions: The study makes three key theoretical contributions. Firstly, it charts the progression of CSR research over time. Secondly, it identifies four foundational theoretical clusters in CSR research through co-citation analysis. Thirdly, it delineates the frontiers of CSR knowledge through bibliographic coupling analysis, identifying four additional clusters.

Author Biographies

Anderson Antônio Lima , Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE, São Paulo

PhD student in Business Administration at the Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Program - Universidade Nove de Julho - UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.

Thiago de Luca Santana Ribeiro , Faculdade de Tecnologia do Estado de São Paulo (FATEC), São Paulo

PhD in Administration from Universidade Nove de Julho (2022). Master's in Administration from Universidade Nove de Julho (2018). Specialist in Logistics and Supply Chain (MBA) from Faculdade Metropolitana Unida (2016). Bachelor's degree in Administration from Faculdade São Sebastião (2014). Currently a permanent professor of Management and Business at Faculdade de Tecnologia do Estado de São Paulo (FATEC) and a data consultant and Business Intelligence at Mkt4edu. Author of "Administração sob a Ótica dos concursos" (2016). A researcher with numerous articles published in national and international congresses and journals, focusing on Value Co-creation. His research is published in Management, Business, Logistics, and Tourism.

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