Consequentialism, knowledge and isomorphism as drivers of CSR

This study aimed at explaining the motivation of the environmental dimension of CSR. Past studies had a tendence for looking at CSR either in way too idealistic terms – as instance by considering firms as ethical agents, moved by transcendental values – or too reductionist ones. In addition, prior research on the relationship between CSR and isomorphism provided ambiguous evidences. Current research tackled these gaps by focusing on the motivations of the environmental dimension of CSR, studied in light of consequentialism -a rational evaluation of the positive or negative consequences- and adaptation. We argue that adaptation occurs in reason of external pressures – isomorphism – and knowledge. Knowledge shapes the cognitive processes of the firm and, thus, its ethics. Hypotheses were tested analysing the population of firms of the European Union with the method of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Current results confirm that isomorphism – especially coercive isomorphism – and knowledge are the main drivers of CSR.