Corporate social innovation – a structured literature review

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to conduct a strategic literature review on corporate social innovation by investigating the evolution of the field together with the identification of both the thematic and theoretical underpinnings. This is achieved by analysing a cross-section of interdisciplinary literature. Methodology: A structured literature review was conducted on 138 articles by adopting an inductive content analysis. Pertinent studies were identified in three major databases (Scopus, Web of Science and EBSCO). Findings: The review explores the transition from corporate social responsibility to corporate social innovation and explains the challenges and opportunities that arise when multinational corporations embrace corporate social innovation. Additionally, through the review of the theoretical underpinnings, it identifies the progression of corporate social innovation through four primary themes: the influence of board composition and chief executive officers’ role in corporate social innovation, the significance of employee engagement, and the potential effects of corporate social innovation on brand equity. Limitations: Conducting a literature review in a structured manner by a sole author, utilising inductive content analysis, poses challenges related to inter-coder reliability and introduces an element of subjectivity. Contribution: This study adds to the body of knowledge by pinpointing the themes linked to the progression of corporate social innovation and the corresponding theoretical foundations.