Unlocking the Power of Corporate Social Responsibility Communication in the Online Sphere: A Systematic Exploration

Socially responsible behavior is evolving due to changing economic, social, and environmental landscapes. This has led to a growing interest in sharing corporate social responsibility activities online, known as CSR (corporate social responsibility) web communication. However, there has not been a comprehensive study that has provided a complete synthesis of knowledge in this field or has outlined research trends, existing gaps, and future directions. Through a systematic review of 141 articles published from 2006 to 2023, four core research themes were identified: (1) motives behind CSR web communication, (2) evaluation of the level of CSR web communication, (3) the role of stakeholders in the process of CSR web communication, and (4) CSR web communication strategy. The scattered research highlights the need for more focused investigation. In particular, future research should focus on understanding what stakeholders require in CSR web communication, evaluating how they perceive its value and benefits, and investigating the relationship between CSR web communication and a company's economic performance.