Scientometric and content analysis‐based review of employees in micro‐level corporate social responsibility research

Abstract

Abstract In today's fiercely competitive business climate, organisations face challenges that necessitate the implementation of policies to bolster their strategic advantage, regardless of their size or location. One effective strategy employed by present‐day organizations to attain enhanced effectiveness and competitive edge is corporate social responsibility (CSR). This study presents a comprehensive scientometric analysis evaluating current research on micro‐level CSR. This investigation provides valuable insight into current micro‐level CSR research. Utilizing a science mapping method, 4286 Scopus bibliographic records were quantitatively and systematically examined. The findings reveal the most prolific authors, journals, institutions, countries, article citations and co‐occurrence network of keywords via cluster analysis. Additionally, the qualitative analysis uncovered five distinct micro‐level themes concerning CSR, including concepts, drivers, evaluations, reactions, and research design. This study is the first of its kind, and its findings add valuable insights to the existent knowledge. It provides an exhaustive and current literature review of micro‐level CSR. Trends and patterns of the micro‐level CSR field are visualized and comprehended, and the primary research networks, journals, institutions, and countries, along with their interconnections are identified. Furthermore, it introduces a comprehensive framework that classifies the different categories of micro‐level CSR research. Lastly, it highlights the inadequacies in current research and offers insights for future studies. This study will serve as a point of reference for policymakers, practitioners, and research and development agencies.