Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Digital Era: A Systematic Review of Its Impact on Corporate Reputation
Abstract
Rapid advancements in digital technology have changed how businesses communicate corporate social responsibility (CSR), and digital channels have become essential for engaging stakeholders and enhancing a company's reputation. As previous studies have looked at digital CSR communication, there is still a lack of comprehensive knowledge on how digital CSR practices affect stakeholder trust, corporate credibility, and long-term performance results. Specifically, there is a lack of methodical synthesis that links ethical concerns, stakeholder responses, and strategies for communication in digital CSR contexts. To address this gap, this study conducts a systematic literature review of digital CSR communication and its implications for corporate reputation. Guided by PRISMA protocol, relevant studies were identified from Scopus and Mendeley databases. Following a structured screening process, 38 peer-reviewed studies were included for analysis. The review synthesizes findings into three interrelated themes. First, digital channels, tactics, and process models in CSR communication examine how organizations strategically use digital platforms and tools to communicate CSR initiatives. Second, stakeholder responses and performance outcomes of digital CSR highlight how stakeholder perceptions, trust, and engagement shape reputation, loyalty, and long-term value creation. Third, transparency, ethics, and risk in digital CSR address challenges related to greenwashing, legitimacy, and crisis management in online environments. This review advances digital CSR scholarship by offering an integrated framework that links communication strategies, stakeholder dynamics, and ethical considerations. Practically, it provides guidance for organizations seeking to leverage digital CSR communication while safeguarding credibility and mitigating reputational risks in an increasingly digitalized landscape.
Keywords: Corporate social responsibility, corporate reputation, digital era, stakeholder, corporate strategy.
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