ISSN: 2222-6990
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In China, as companies face increasing stakeholder pressure concerning information disclosure, performance, and sustainability, the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly evident. However, recent findings remain fragmented across stakeholder groups, governance mechanisms, CSR dimensions, and outcome metrics. This systematic literature review examines three relationships: stakeholder pressure and CSR/ESG disclosure; CSR and corporate performance outcomes; and environmental CSR, green innovation, and sustainable transformation. Following the PRISMA framework, Scopus and EconBiz were searched for English-language journal articles published between January 2024 and June 2026. Of the 1,162 records retrieved, 147 articles were assessed for eligibility, and 30 primary studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The results revealed three interrelated themes: CSR/ESG disclosure and governance, corporate performance outcomes, and green transformation. Within these themes, CSR outcomes depend not only on firms’ CSR engagement but also on disclosure credibility, governance quality, stakeholder alignment, and innovation capacity. CSR may enhance corporate performance and promote sustainable transformation, but its effects vary depending on the organizational and institutional context. This review synthesizes recent research findings and identifies key directions for future research on CSR, stakeholders, and performance in China.
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