Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book argues that the countries have corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs aimed at addressing many of the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as poverty eradication, improving health and education, environmental sustainability and gender equity. Additionally, both CSR and the SDG processes share similar approaches in engaging multiple stakeholders—government, civil society and private sectors. The book discusses how CSR's focus in Indonesia has progressed from nation building to sustainability. It presents how CSR and PR discourse in Malaysia reflects advocacy and aspirational talk. The book examines CSR through the prism of social development, disaster resilience and philanthropy in the Philippines. It looks at the rise of social enterprises as inclusive channels of social responsibility in Singapore. The book highlights CSR as a form of sustainable community development and risk mitigation in Thailand.