IT, CSR And Industry Relationships: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

From the resource-based perspective, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and investment in information technology (IT) are both associated with a firm’s profitable performance. Corporations, taking socially responsible actions, can create valuable intangible assets such as improved relations with stakeholders. In a similar fashion, effective investment in and use of information technology can positively impact a firm’s competitive advantage. Both CSR and IT investments consume organizational resources and each may lead to a competitive advantage separately.  This paper explores if one complements or opposes the other.

Investment in information technology and the socially responsible activities of companies vary across industries.  The purpose of this paper is to offer an exploratory analysis into a possible association between IT investment and CSR at the industry level. The findings indicate that there is no discernible relationship.