This article, written by Tim Barnett, is a detailed primer for any company (or individual) seeking to learn more about corporate social responsibility.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be defined as the “economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary expectations that society has of organizations at a given point in time,” Barnett cites Carroll and Buchholtz. The concept of corporate social responsibility means that organizations have moral, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities in addition to their responsibilities to earn a fair return for investors and comply with the law.

What is the history of CSR, which issues need most attention in the current world economy, and where can businesses learn more? Read here: