The Nature and Strategic Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility in Emerging Markets: The Case of Russia
Posted: 18 Jan 2014
Date Written: March 29, 2011
Abstract
While most studies on corporate social responsibility (CSR) are conceptualized and conducted in the context of developed countries, there is little understanding of what CSR means both in terms of the nature and strategic impact on firms in emerging markets, where most of the current commercial activity takes place. This inductive paper seeks to understand and explain the implications of CSR for Russian firms by asking what it means in that context, how it affects their international expansion efforts and performance back at home (after the initial CSR-related changes are undertaken). The results suggest significant differences by the nature of the firm (i.e. big or small-and-medium sized) as well as by relations with the state (i.e. mutual benefit or barrier). The implications for scholars and managers are discussed as to the drivers of CSR heterogeneity, and the importance of CSR in overcoming liabilities in international expansion.
Keywords: corporate social responsibility (CSR), international expansion, Russia, emerging market multinationals (EMM)
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation