Corporate Social Responsibility in Turkey An Institutional Analysis of Social Responsibility in Turkey during the 2000s

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been one of the most dynamic concepts of business literature. It evolves over time and significantly varies across contexts. The joint effect of these two dimensions requires analyzing the notion of social responsibility more frequently than most concepts. The current study attempts to contribute to the literature by focusing on the current practices of CSR in Turkey. In addition to the large-scale effect of global industrial trends and technological advancements, Turkey has also experienced a highly complex political, economic, and social transition during the 2000s. Considering the impact of dynamic and competing institutional logics, the study tries to provide a deeper understanding on how CSR perception and practices have evolved in Turkish business context to date. The study reveals that philanthropic component of CSR has been strengthened as a phenomenon in the nexus of family, religion, community, and market logics. Whereas, the ethical and environmental components are not fully integrated into the CSR agenda of Turkish business organizations. CSR has been also polarized during the 2000s in line with the overall political climate of country. Under the politics of government party, which has been in the office since 2002, business organizations are highly cautious on which issues they should address or whom they should work with.