CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LEGAL ACCOUNTABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL BUSINESS FRAMEWORKS

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and legal accountability have become integral to the global business discourse in an era of globalization and transnational corporate influence. This paper examines the convergence of CSR and legal responsibility, analyzing how corporations balance profit motives with ethical, social, and environmental obligations. It traces the evolution of CSR from a voluntary, philanthropic approach to a structured, strategic element of corporate governance. The discussion explores how various jurisdictions—particularly in the European Union, United States, and Asia-Pacific—integrate CSR principles into legal and regulatory frameworks. While traditional CSR relied on self-regulation and voluntary codes, modern frameworks increasingly embed accountability through enforceable laws such as the EU’s Non-Financial Reporting Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. The paper highlights that hybrid governance—combining voluntary initiatives with binding legal obligations—ensures transparency, ethical compliance, and stakeholder trust. Ultimately, CSR and legal accountability together form the foundation for sustainable corporate citizenship, bridging economic performance with moral and environmental stewardship across global markets.