ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how it is implemented within the sport industry. Engaging in CSR is one way through which many organizations seek to address the issue of business ethics and the implementation of CSR activities has grown in popularity over the course of the last 35 years. Over this period, there have been many different definitions and interpretations; however, the broad conceptualization of CSR as the societal responsibilities that a business has beyond profit maximization (Carroll, 1979) has remained relatively constant. In part, the rise to prominence of CSR has been prompted by failures in corporate governance and the increasing desire for corporate accountability and transparency (Clarke, 2004), leading to increasing pressure on organizations to consider their role within society (Blowfield and Murray, 2008).
