Abstract:

In this study, CSR projects of the businesses awarded by the Corporate Social Responsibility Association of Turkey (CSR Turkey), Turkish Confederation of Employer Association, Sustainability Academy and listed in the BIST Sustainability Index for the period of 2018-2020 were examined. The reports are analyzed in the context of the sustainable development approach which is within the ethical theories. 520 CSR activities carried out by 126 businesses were analyzed. Criterion sampling, one of the purposeful sampling techniques, was applied in the study. Qualitative and quantitative content analysis was performed of CSR projects reported by businesses on their websites. The CSR activities analyzed were classified in the context of marketing and corporate social initiatives (Kotler et al., 2012) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) index. The results indicate that the majority (67%) of the CSR projects analyzed within the scope of marketing and corporate social initiatives are under the corporate-driven initiatives. In the context of the global goals, three of every four projects are for reduced inequalities, quality education, life on land, good health and well-being, and gender equality goals. In addition, 41% of the analyzed businesses are in the manufacturing sector, while Turkey is the country of origin of 65% of them.

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