CSR vs Social Business for Sustainable Development

Abstract

This paper intends to offer a comparison between the concepts of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social business (SB) and rationalizes the application of both the ideas as potential ways of accomplishingsustainable development. It follows an axiomatic and theoretical approach to frame the relationship of CSR and social business with the fastest growing concept of sustainable development. The objective of this research is to shed some light on i. the basic differences of the theories, ii. underlying assumptions of both theories regarding sustainable development, and iii. the effectiveness or contribution of each concept in attaining sustainable development. This is basically a conceptual paper based on extensive literature review and followed by some qualitative research techniques such as case studies, in-depth interviews with CSR and social business experts and CEOs of corporate houses and social business enterprises as well as focus group discussions with beneficiaries and community representatives of both fields.Narrative analysis method is adopted to analyze obtained data. Result indicates that both CSR and social business can be significant ways to achieve sustainable development by means of eliminating poverty, unemployment and inequality, preventing environmental degradation and the like as both concepts are intended tosolve social problems. This research proposes that a combination of these two concepts is more likely to offer sustainable solutions to social problems.

Citation

Rahman, A., Sultana, N. and Mizanur Rahman, M. (2020), "CSR vs Social Business for Sustainable Development", Crowther, D. and Seifi, S. (Ed.) Governance and Sustainability (Developments in Corporate Governance and Responsibility, Vol. 15), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 113-130. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2043-052320200000015007