Varieties of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): An Analysis of Prominent Definitions of CSR in Korea

Continued interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR)has led to a plethora of definitions, standards, and guidelines. While this has contributed to a rich and diversebody of literature, there is a pressing need for clarity onwhat CSR means in specific geographic contexts andhow these reflect stakeholder expectations. This is particularlythe case for firms, which are the objects of CSRevaluations and investment by socially responsible investors. To enhance an understanding of the global varietiesof CSR, this paper analyzes prominent definitionsof CSR in Korea, specifically those proposed by theKorea Economic Justice Institute (KEJI) and SustinvestCo., Ltd. By doing so, this paper will help articulate howCSR is conceptualized in Korea and how to situate thisvariety of CSR in a comparative context.