Editors’ Comments: Is Research on Corporate Social Responsibility Undertheorized?

Wang et al review current criticisms of corporate social responsibility (CSR) research and practice and then offer a way forward. CSR is a concept that has brought about both progress and controversy. They can see at least three reasons behind the criticism that CSR research lacks theoretical foundation and coherence. First, in its many manifestations, CSR represents a broad and diverse area of study. CSR is also rather complex to address theoretically, given that it can be considered both as a firm behavior that potentially affects the bottom line (viewed instrumentally) and as a goal in and of itself that exists simultaneously with financial goals.