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

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.