A note on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in city branding and design

Abstract

Purpose

By exploring the evolution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and evaluating major frameworks of CSR provided in a wider range of early works, this paper attempts to identify key domains of CSR and propose the revised CSR framework for strategic CSR management processes. The paper provides extended insights into how the concept of strategic CSR is integrated into city branding and design and highlights and addresses the roles of CSR that are inter‐linked to city brand management in terms of sustainable value creation to meet a community's societal, political or economic objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

The overall content of this paper is concerned with theory of CSR and the fundamental logic behind city branding. The frameworks are developed based upon the historical review of theory and observation of trends in the current issues.

Findings

The paper funds that CSR is an integral framework to encompass not just principles of social responsibility, but processes of social responsiveness and outcomes of social performance as well.

Research limitations/implications

Notwithstanding a number of management literature that seeks out strategic linkages between competitive advantage, a crucial strategy concept and CSR, research concerned with the relationship between CSR and city branding is at in its infancy. There is a need to examine the essential ingredients that produce design‐driven value in the process of implementing strategic CSR into city branding. Future research, taking the difference between the firm/product and the city into account, will further investigate how city branding and design can be implemented to reflect social responsibility, notably in terms of the process and evaluation.

Originality/value

The paper not only presents the revised framework of CSR and major constituents of strategic CSR but also seeks to enlighten and establish a new connection between CSR and value creation that bring us an innovative perspective when implemented in city branding and design.

Citation

Kim, J.B., Kwak, G. and Koo, Y.R. (2010), "A note on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in city branding and design", Asian Journal on Quality, Vol. 11 No. 3, pp. 251-265. https://doi.org/10.1108/15982681011094005