Corporate social responsibility in the digital age: A bibliometric and thematic analysis for sustainable management transformation

Abstract

This paper reviews the development of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) research under the digital transformation and sustainability. The study aims at mapping the intellectual organization, new tendencies, and thematic trends in the literature on CSR systematically through a bibliometric and thematic approach. The Scopus database, which included 4,377 journal articles published within the period between 2020 and 2025 in the fields of business, management, social sciences, and economics, was used to gather the data. RStudio (Biblioshiny) and VOSviewer were used to perform bibliometric analysis on the trends in publications, influential sources, patterns in authorship, citation, and network of keywords. The results show that there is a considerable increase in the number of CSR studies, and the themes of sustainability and ESG prevail. Thematic mapping and keyword co-occurrence reveal that there are four large research clusters: the area of CSR and sustainable performance, CSR and digital transformation, CSR and stakeholder engagement, and CSR governance and institutional influence. Trend analysis demonstrates the transition to the technology-based sustainability models with a focus on innovation, circular economy, and environmental values, as opposed to traditional CSR strategies.The research also outlines a conceptual framework that establishes the relationship between institutional pressures, CSR strategy, digital integration, and sustainable performance, which involves the mediating role of technology and moderating role of governance mechanisms. The study fits into the literature by merging CSR, digital transformation, and sustainability into a single analysis framework and offers meaningful information to scholars, professionals, and policymakers regarding the development of sustainable and responsible business activities.