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This SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis was conducted to have a portrait of the competitiveness of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on the global map. Being a 75-year-old scientific organization, CSIR has raised each and every laboratory with a specific mandate and competency. It is definite that the organization would get some assistance from these points, which are briefly stated, as the institutional data reside with the laboratory only. To some extent, they can be considered on their discretion; however, the organization has raised its position to international standards, but still it can consider few areas/suggestions from this analysis. These points are suggestive and flexible in nature, which are identified and defined to elevate this organization on the globe. Scientific publications do make a difference, but on the ground, if the technologies are not viable and received by public, it makes no difference. Today, India is fortunate to have a Prime Minister like Mr Modi, who always re-evaluates the issues and solutions so that the country moves from developing to a fast-pace developed nation. It is a fact that if these research organizations reorganize themselves and prioritize the research problems, they are capable enough to become a pioneer among the world R&D industry. This paper aims to analyze the organization and suggest few points with significant findings which can assist in scaling toward excellence on a global scale.

On the basis of random sampling, laboratories were identified where their achievements and contribution toward industry and society were evaluated. On the basis of their setup, the organization and laboratories were evaluated to frame-out a SWOT analysis.

SWOT analysis is a deliberate technique carried out to analyze the current situation of the system and to analyze the internal and external environment, which provides and edge to the organization to sustain. The major factors assessed were manpower, machines, money and funding, and achievements and deliverables were studied.

The research, i.e. SWOT, is unique in nature, as it was not carried out earlier on such a scale. To some extent, the points suggested in SWOT and conclusion can be considered on their discretion; however, the organization has raised its position to international standards, but still it can consider few areas/suggestions from this analysis. These points are suggestive and flexible in nature, which are identified and defined to elevate this organization on the globe. Scientific publications do make a difference, but on the ground; if the technologies are not viable and received by public, it makes no difference. Today, India is fortunate to have a Prime Minister like Mr Modi, who always re-evaluates the issues and solutions so that the country moves from developing to a fast-pace developed nation. It is a fact that if these research organizations reorganize themselves and prioritize the research problems, they are capable enough to become a pioneer among the world R&D industry.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of authentic leadership on strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a less researched environment. This study set out to fill that gap in researching the direct influence of employees’ perceptions about the authenticity of their leaders as well as indirect effect through participative decision-making on strategic CSR which means the genuine intention to benefit society.

A quantitative research approach was followed, with an online survey to employees in large South African corporations across various industries that were mostly more than 10 years old. There were 1,417 useable questionnaires. Structural equation modelling was used to test proposed hypotheses of mediation effects.

The results revealed that authentic leadership has a significant indirect effect through participative decision-making on employees’ perceptions around strategic CSR – that is, whether their corporations are genuinely socially and environmentally responsible.

The data collected were cross-sectional, and survey-based in the South African corporate environment; therefore, limited generalisations can be made, and causality could not be claimed.

Authentic leadership and participative decision-making are required to significantly influence employees’ perceptions about companies’ genuine interest in benefiting external stakeholders. Consistency between leaders’ words and deeds is important for employees, and therefore, companies must be socially responsible towards employees.

The main contribution of this research lies in showing that perception of leaders’ authenticity was enhanced when employees were allowed to participate in decision-making, which then increased positive perceptions about the organisation’s CSR focus. The study highlights similarities between authentic leadership and the African humanism philosophy of Ubuntu.