Skip to main content

Companies Amidst Evolving Digital Media Challenges in CSR Communication. Systematic Literature Review

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Good Practices and New Perspectives in Information Systems and Technologies (WorldCIST 2024)

Abstract

Effective digital communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and efforts is critical to shaping stakeholder perceptions and opinions. Therefore, the aim of this article is to describe the current state of research on digital CSR communication and to formulate further directions in the form of a systematic literature review. Data collection of 46 relevant studies from 2015 – 2023 was conducted in the Web of Science research database. The PRISMA reporting guideline was used to enhance the transparency and quality of the systematic review. The results, through scientometric indicators and presented trends, identify two research streams: the ability of CSR to strengthen the brand-consumer relationship and the engagement of CSR stakeholders. A discrepancy was also found between the positive impact of digital CSR on E-WOM and the low engagement of digital news stakeholders. The presented results have some limitations, although they are beneficial for scholarship and practice as they provide a comprehensive overview of the current evidence on the issue addressed and recommendations for improving stakeholder engagement.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Topor, D.I., et al.: Using CSR communication through social media for developing long-term customer relationships. The Case of Romanian Consumers. Econ. Comput. Econ. Cybernet. Stud. Res. 56(2), 255–272 (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Oueslati, H., et al.: Importance and conditions of effectiveness of CSR communications in franchise networks. Int. J. Retail Distrib. Manag. 19 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cheng, G.P., et al.: The relationship between CSR communication on social media, purchase intention, and E-WOM in the banking sector of an emerging economy. J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 16(4), 1025–1041 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Gupta, S., et al.: The relationship of CSR communication on social media with consumer purchase intention and brand admiration. J. Theor. Appl. Electron. Commer. Res. 16(5), 1217–1230 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Ahmad, N., et al.: CSR Communication through social media: a litmus test for banking consumers’ loyalty. Sustainability 13(4), 15 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Vogler, D., Eisenegger, M.: CSR communication, corporate reputation, and the role of the news media as an agenda-setter in the digital age. Bus. Soc. 60(8), 1957–1986 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Ma, R., et al.: The relationship of corporate social responsibility on digital platforms, electronic word-of-mouth, and consumer-company identification: An application of social identity theory. Sustainability 13(9), 17 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Pérez, A., De Los Salmones, M.D.G.: CSR communication and media channel choice in the hospitality and tourism industry. Tourism Manag. Perspect. 45, 16 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Gupta, S., et al.: Using social media as a medium for CSR communication, to induce consumer-brand relationship in the banking sector of a developing economy. Sustainability 13(7), 16 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Sarkar, S., Searcy, C.: Zeitgeist or chameleon? A quantitative analysis of CSR definitions. J. Clean. Prod. 135, 1423–1435 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Sharma, A., Choudhury, M., Agarwal, S., Sharma, R., Sharma, R.: Corporate social responsibility and roles of developers for sustainability in companies. In: Singh, P., Milshina, Y., Batalhão, A., Sharma, S., Hanafiah, M.M. (eds.) The Route Towards Global Sustainability: Challenges and Management Practices, pp. 313–332. Springer International Publishing, Cham (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10437-4_16

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  12. Sari, W.P., et al.: Corporate social responsibility (CSR): concept of the responsibility of the corporations. J. Critic. Rev. 7(1), 241–245 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Rozsa, Z., et al.: Antecedents and barriers which drive SMEs in relation to corporate social responsibility? Literature review. Int. J. Entrep. Knowl. 10(2), 107–122 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Dahlsrud, A.: How corporate social responsibility is defined: an analysis of 37 definitions. Corp. Soc. Responsib. Environ. Manag. 15(1), 1–13 (2008)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Carroll, A.B.: The pyramid of corporate social responsibility: toward the moral management of organizational stakeholders. Bus. Horiz. 34(4), 39–48 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Gupta, M. and Hodges, N.J., Corporate social responsibility in the global apparel industry: An Exploration of Indian Manufacturers’ Perceptions. 2013

    Google Scholar 

  17. Warnaars, X.S.: Why be poor when we can be rich? Constructing responsible mining in El Pangui, Ecuador. Resources Policy 37(2), 223–232 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Wood, D.J.: Corporate social performance revisited. Acad. Manag. Rev. 16(4), 691–718 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Lee, M.-D.P.: A review of the theories of corporate social responsibility: its evolutionary path and the road ahead. Int. J. Manag. Rev. 10(1), 53–73 (2008)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  20. Boesso, G., Michelon, G.: The effects of stakeholder prioritization on corporate financial performance: an empirical investigation. Int. J. Manag. 27, 470–496 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Madueño, J.H., et al.: Relationship between corporate social responsibility and competitive performance in Spanish SMES: empirical evidence from a stakeholders’ perspective. BRQ Bus. Res. Q. 19(1), 55–72 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Rani, P.U.: Impact of social media on youth. Int. J. Innov. Technol. Explor. Eng. 8(11 Special Issue), 786–787 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Barrot, J.S., Acomular, D.R.: How university teachers navigate social networking sites in a fully online space: provisional views from a developing nation. Int. J. Educ. Technol. High. Educ. 19(1), 19 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Moinuddin, S.: Mapping ‘social’ in social mediasphere in India. In: Moinuddin, S. (ed.) Digital Shutdowns and Social Media: Spatiality, Political Economy and Internet Shutdowns in India, pp. 35–56. Springer, Cham (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-67888-3_2

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  25. Yang, A.M., Ji, Y.G.: The quest for legitimacy and the communication of strategic cross-sectoral partnership on Facebook: a big data study. Publ. Relat. Rev. 45(5), 9 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Octarina, N.F., Bon, A.T.: Legalization of human rights violations. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Lee, A., Chung, T.L.D.: Transparency in corporate social responsibility communication on social media. Int. J. Retail Distrib. Manag. 51(5), 590–610 (2023)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Thakur, S.: CSR Communication on social media as a driver of the non-financial performance of the firm: role of chief executive officers and senior executives in CSR communication: a viewpoint. In: Crowther, D., Seifi, S. (eds.) Corporate Social Responsibility in Difficult Times, pp. 3–17. Springer, Singapore (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-2591-9_1

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  29. Zarzycka, E., et al.: Communication aimed at engendering trustworthiness: An analysis of CSR messages on Twitter. Bus. Ethics Environ. Respons. (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Hu, M., et al.: It pays off to be authentic: an examination of direct versus indirect brand mentions on social media. J. Bus. Res. 117, 19–28 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Pradeep Reddy, K., et al.: Organizational opportunities through digital and social media marketing. In: Strategic Management and International Business Policies for Maintaining Competitive Advantage, pp. 156–167 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Jeong, H.J., Kim, J.: Brand accommodation to informal communications on social media: with the mediation of communication appropriateness and the moderation of product involvement. Int. J. Internet Market. Advertis. 19(1–2), 42–62 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Foroudi, P., et al.: Against the odds: consequences of social media in B2B and B2C. In: Beyond Multi-channel Marketing: Critical Issues in Dual Marketing, pp. 163–189 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Alanazi, T.M.: Impact of social media marketing on brand loyalty in Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Data Netw. Sci. 7(1), 107–116 (2023)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Penttinen, V.: Hi, I’m taking over this account! Leveraging social media takeovers in fostering consumer-brand relationships. J. Bus. Res. 165, 114030 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Birkle, C., et al.: Web of science as a data source for research on scientific and scholarly activity. Quant. Sci. Stud. 1(1), 363–376 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Page, M.J., et al.: The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. PLoS Med. 18(3), e1003583 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Okazaki, S., et al.: Exploring digital corporate social responsibility communications on Twitter. J. Bus. Res. 117, 675–682 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Zhang, L., et al.: Antecedents and consequences of banking customers’ behavior towards social media: evidence from an emerging economy. Behav. Sci. 12(12), 18 (2022)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  40. Soudi, N., Mokhlis, C.E.: The impact of CSR communication on the company’s reputation. Estud. Econ. Aplicada 38(4), 12 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Puriwat, W., Tripopsakul, S.: Customer engagement with digital social responsibility in social media: a base study of COVID-19 situation in Thailand. J. Asian Finance Econ. Bus. 8(2), 475–483 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Zhao, W., Cheng, Y., Lee, Y.I.: Exploring 360-degree virtual reality videos for CSR communication: an integrated model of perceived control, telepresence, and consumer behavioral intentions. Comput. Hum. Behav. 144, 11 (2023)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Li, M., Liu, F., Abdullah, Z.: Analysis of online CSR message authenticity on consumer purchase intention in social media on Internet platform via PSO-1DCNN algorithm. Neural Comput. Appl. 36(5), 2289–2302 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Davis, F.D.: Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Q. 13, 319–340 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Camilleri, M.A.: The promotion of responsible tourism management through digital media. Tourism Plan. Developm. 15(6), 653–671 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Camilleri, M.A.: The SMEs’ technology acceptance of digital media for stakeholder engagement. J. Small Bus. Enterp. Dev. 26(4), 504–521 (2019)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Fraustino, J.D., Connolly-Ahern, C.: Corporate associations written on the wall: publics’ responses to fortune 500 ability and social responsibility Facebook posts. J. Publ. Relation. Res. 27(5), 452–474 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Sun, Y., Kong, D.Y., Zhai, L.M.: To interact and to narrate: a categorical multidimensional analysis of Twitter use by US banks and energy corporations. IEEE Trans. Prof. Commun. 66(2), 117–130 (2023)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Illia, L., et al.: Exploring corporations’ dialogue about CSR in the digital era. J. Bus. Ethics 146(1), 39–58 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Hesse, A., et al.: Consumer responses to brand communications involving COVID-19. J. Mark. Manag. 37(17–18), 1783–1814 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Alonso, M.A., Esteban, P.P.: Health risk prevention awareness communication from the Corporate Social Responsibility programs, of the pharmaceutical company’s set in Spain. The case of Novartis, Roche, Sanofi and Grifols. Revista Internacional De Relaciones Publicas 6(11), 47–72 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  52. Milanesi, M., Kyrdoda, Y., Runfola, A.: How do you depict sustainability? An analysis of images posted on Instagram by sustainable fashion companies. J. Glob. Fash. Market. 13(2), 101–115 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Barrio-Fraile, E., et al.: Use of corporate podcasting as a SDGs communication tool in the main Spanish banks. Rev. Latina Commun. Soc. 81, 97–122 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  54. Bhattacharyya, S.S.: Exploration and explication of the nature of online reviews of organizational corporate social responsibility initiatives. Int. J. Organiz. Anal. 31(6), 2280–2299 (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  55. Moyaert, H., Vangehuchten, L., Vallejo, A.M.F.: The CSR communication strategy of Iberdrola on Facebook and Twitter: a corpus-based linguistic and content analysis. Rev. Commun. Seeci 54, 24 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  56. Patuelli, A., et al.: Firms’ challenges and social responsibilities during Covid-19: a Twitter analysis. PLoS ONE 16(7), 30 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Confetto, M.G., Covucci, C.: A taxonomy of sustainability topics: a guide to set the corporate sustainability content on the web. TQM J. 33(7), 106–130 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Kouloukoui, D., et al.: Mapping global conversations on twitter about environmental, social, and governance topics through natural language processing. J. Clean. Prod. 414, 11 (2023)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Antonio, I., et al.: Communicating the stakeholder engagement process: a cross-country analysis in the tourism sector. Corp. Soc. Respons. Environ. Manag. 27(4), 1642–1652 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Mason, A., et al.: Examining the prominence and congruence of organizational corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication in medical tourism provider websites. J. Hosp. Tourism Insights 6(1), 1–17 (2023)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  61. Siano, A., et al.: Communicating sustainability: an operational model for evaluating corporate websites. Sustainability 8(9), 16 (2016)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Zeler, I., Oliveira, A., Morales, R.T.: Corporate social responsibility, and Covid-19 health crisis: communication of Spanish energy companies on Twitter. Rev. Commun.-Peru 21(1), 451–468 (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  63. Zheng, E.Y., et al.: Institutionalizing corporate social responsibility disclosure: historical webpages of the Fortune global 500 companies, 1997–2009. Corp. Soc. Respons. Environ. Manag. 30(2), 661–676 (2023)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Charumathi, B., Gaddam, P.: The impact of regulations and technology on corporate social responsibility disclosures - Evidence from Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises in India. Australas. Account. Bus. Financ. J. 12(2), 5–28 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Kapoor, P.S., et al.: Effectiveness of travel social media influencers: a case of eco-friendly hotels. J. Travel Res. 61(5), 1138–1155 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Vrontis, D., et al.: Stakeholder engagement in the hospitality industry: an analysis of communication in SMES and large hotels. J. Hosp. Tourism Res. 46(5), 923–945 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Pilgrim, K., Bohnet-Joschko, S.: Corporate social responsibility on Twitter: a review of topics and digital communication strategies’ success factors. Sustainability 14(24), 24 (2022)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Capriotti, P., Zeler, I., Oliveira, A.: Assessing dialogic features of corporate pages on Facebook in Latin American companies. Corp. Commun. 26(5), 16–30 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Conte, F., et al.: Designing a data visualization dashboard for managing the sustainability communication of healthcare organizations on Facebook. Sustainability 10(12), 14 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Ozturan, Grinstein, A.: Impact of global brand chief marketing officers’ corporate social responsibility and sociopolitical activism communication on Twitter. J. Int. Market. 30(3), 72–82 (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  71. Zauskova, A., Reznickova, M.: SoLoMo marketing as a global tool for enhancing awareness of eco-innovations in Slovak business environment. Equilib.-Quart. J. Econ. Econ. Policy 15(1), 133–150 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  72. Paliwoda-Matiolanska, A., Smolak-Lozano, E., Nakayama, A.: Corporate image or social engagement: Twitter discourse on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in public relations strategies in the energy sector. Profesion. Inf. 29(3), 16 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

  73. Vollero, A., et al.: From CSR to CSI analysing consumers’ hostile responses to branding initiatives in social media-scape. Qualit. Market Res. 24(2), 143–160 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Blanco-Sanchez, T., Moreno-Albarracin, B.: Instagram as a communication channel in the academic field. Comparison of the strategies of the best universities in the world. Rev. Commun.-Peru 22(1), 35–51 (2023)

    Google Scholar 

  75. Lim, J.S., Jiang, H.: Linking authenticity in CSR communication to organization-public relationship outcomes: Integrating theories of impression management and relationship management. J. Publ. Relat. Res. 33(6), 464–486 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  76. Jiang, Y.N., Park, H.: Mapping networks in corporate social responsibility communication on social media: a new approach to exploring the influence of communication tactics on public responses. Publ. Relat. Rev. 48(1) (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  77. Dhyani, S., Sharma, M.: Effect of communicating corporate social responsibility through social media on brand image. In: Digital Marketing Outreach: the Future of Marketing Practices, pp. 109–124 (2022)

    Google Scholar 

  78. Tennant, J.P.: Web of science and Scopus are not global databases of knowledge. Eur. Sci. Edit. 46, 1–3 (2020)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The research was supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and Sport of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak Academy Sciences (VEGA), project No 1/0364/22: Research on the eco-innovation potential of SMEs in the context of sustainable development.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zoltán Rózsa .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Rózsa, Z., Smrčka, L., Kubálek, J., Hermann, J. (2024). Companies Amidst Evolving Digital Media Challenges in CSR Communication. Systematic Literature Review. In: Rocha, Á., Adeli, H., Dzemyda, G., Moreira, F., Poniszewska-Marańda, A. (eds) Good Practices and New Perspectives in Information Systems and Technologies. WorldCIST 2024. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 987. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60221-4_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics