The Evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Digital Age: From Philanthropy to Digital Ethics

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has undergone substantial transformation in response to digitalization, evolving from discrete philanthropic activities to integrated digital ethics frameworks. This paper examines the historical trajectory of CSR from traditional charity-based models through sustainability integration to contemporary digital ethics paradigms. We analyze how technological advancement has necessitated fundamental reconceptualization of corporate responsibility, expanding stakeholder boundaries and embedding ethical considerations within core business operations. The paper identifies key dimensions of digital-age CSR—including data stewardship, algorithmic accountability, and platform governance—while addressing persistent challenges such as ethics washing and regulatory fragmentation. Our analysis reveals that digital transformation has rendered CSR inseparable from strategic decision-making, particularly for technology firms whose products fundamentally reshape social infrastructure. We conclude by proposing that effective digital-age CSR requires systemic integration of ethical frameworks into organizational processes, transparent stakeholder engagement, and collaborative development of industry standards augmented by appropriate regulatory mechanisms.