Over time, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has changed dramatically as a result of shifting society norms, economic circumstances, and corporate practices. Here is a summary of how CSR has changed throughout time:

1.Early 19th-century philanthropy

• Philanthropy, in which businesses and affluent people donated money to charity causes, was the first type of CSR.
• Building libraries, hospitals, and schools were among the humanitarian endeavors of industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller.

2.Labor and social movements in the early 20th century:

• As labor movements and social activity grew in popularity in the early 20th century, business practices came under more scrutiny.
• In response to labor strikes and civil unrest, businesses were under pressure to address labor issues, workplace safety, and fair salaries.

3.Period following World War II (1940s–1950s):

• Due to the necessity for post-war reconstruction, there was an increasing focus on corporate responsibility after World War II.
• The idea of corporate social responsibility (CSR) started to go beyond philanthropy, with an emphasis on moral company conduct and community involvement.

4.Term for Corporate Social Responsibility: 1960s:

• In the 1960s, the phrase "Corporate Social Responsibility" became more well-known and popular.
• Frameworks and norms for CSR were being developed by corporations and academics.

5.1970s–1980s Environmental Awareness

• Due in large part to occasions like the inaugural Earth Day in 1970 and the creation of environmental regulations, environmental issues have become a prominent component of CSR.
• Businesses started to address issues including sustainability, resource conservation, and pollution.

6.(1980s–1990s) Stakeholder Theory

• Stakeholder theory, which stressed that organizations should take into account the interests of different stakeholders, including employees, consumers, communities, and shareholders, came into being in the 1980s and 1990s.
• Beyond maximizing profits, CSR has extended to incorporate broader societal consequences.

7.Ethical Supply Chains and Globalization in the 2000s:

• Companies' CSR initiatives, which emphasized ethical sourcing and fair labor practices, expanded to include worldwide supply chains as they went global in scope.
• The United Nations Global Compact was created in 2000 to motivate companies to implement environmentally friendly and socially accountable practices.

8.Reporting on Sustainability (2010s-Present):

• In the 2010s, businesses placed more of an emphasis on sustainability, setting targets for cutting carbon emissions, utilizing renewable energy sources, and reducing waste.
• CSR reporting increased, and many businesses now produce yearly sustainability reports to share their achievements.

9.ESG Investing (Since the 2010s):

• Investors have become more aware of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, which has prompted businesses to link CSR initiatives to financial performance.
• ESG investing increasingly influenced business decision-making and fueled CSR efforts.

10.Pandemic of COVID-19 (2020s):

• The COVID-19 epidemic brought attention to the value of CSR as businesses were instrumental in tackling pressing healthcare, financial, and societal issues.
• CSR initiatives prioritized community assistance, employee well-being, and pandemic response.

In conclusion, CSR has expanded from early charity to include a wider variety of moral, social, and environmental obligations. Due to shifting cultural expectations and the realization that ethical business practices can help an organization succeed in the long run, it has grown to be an essential component of contemporary corporate strategy.