Title: Implementing mandatory corporate social responsibility in India: assessing progress made by corporates and NGOs

Authors: Suresh Kalagnanam; Priya Nair Rajeev

Addresses: Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan, 25 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A7, Canada ' Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, Kunnamangalam, Kozhikode, Kerala 673570, India

Abstract: CSR in India is mandated through Section 135 of the Companies Act (2013), covering the practice and reporting of social responsibility projects. This paper examines India's CSR framework and reports findings on governance, planning, and implementation from a survey of and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Overall findings reveal several positive aspects and inform us of the challenges that companies and NGOs consider essential. First, an overwhelming majority of companies focused on three investment areas: health, education, and the environment. Second, 88% of companies undertook long-term continuing projects, a positive signal from a social development perspective. Third, 68% reported that their CSR strategy was aligned with their core business strategy. Fourth, a significant majority of the companies have established the required structure for policy development, planning, and periodic monitoring from a governance perspective. Finally, findings on NGOs indicate several elements of preparedness; however, the retention of talented employees is a continual challenge.

Keywords: mandatory corporate social responsibility; corporate performance; NGOs; governance; planning; implementation; reporting; accountability; corporate-NGO partnerships.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBGE.2023.127468

International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, 2023 Vol.17 No.1, pp.34 - 49

Received: 03 Apr 2020
Accepted: 04 Jun 2021
Published online: 06 Dec 2022 *