Unpacking Corporate Social Responsibility Activities in Organisations by Considering Social, Economic, and Environmental Challenges: A Conceptual Approach

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an umbrella concept that shows a multi-faceted relationship between society and business. Based on this relationship, this research aims at demonstrating critical CSR initiatives and methods used by various international organisations and Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh to highlight better development for the economy and environment within the mainly considering the context of textile industry. In order to achieve this aim, we discuss CSR activities through the involvement of the code of conduct, the role of organisations, and different regulations in Bangladesh. Then, we provide a conceptual clarification on external challenges faced by Bangladesh, such as social, economic, environmental, and political. Following this discussion, we highlight key CSR and sustainable development initiatives and methods used by different international organisations, NGOs, and SMEs to promote CSR initiatives. Thus, we unpack the main challenges of international organisations and SMEs in their CSR activities by considering the country’s social, economic, and environmental conditions, and we indicate how organisations promote CSR initiatives in Bangladesh. The originality of this research comes from extending the concept of CSR activities since there is no consensus on the concept and adopting a comprehensive approach to CSR activities of international organisations and SMEs in Bangladesh.