Evolution of Traditional Philanthropy to Corporate Social Responsibility: The Overview of the Context and Practices in Turkey

Year 2019, Volume: 21 Issue: 2, 210 - 231, 16.12.2019

Sevgi Dönmez-maç Şule Aydın-turan Semih Okutan Onur Metin

Abstract

This study aims to trace the evolution of philanthropy
towards CSR and to reach an elucidating scheme about the current context and
contemporary practices in Turkey. The evolution of the concept of philanthropy
is evaluated regarding the period of Ottoman Empire, the Republic of Turkey,
the development of the private sector, and finally the influence of globalization.
Accordingly the paper concluded that the historical evolution of philanthropy
in Turkey brings about a scheme in which corporate philanthropy and CSR
perspectives coexist. The contemporary practices such as awarding, CSR
reporting and the signing of CSR standards are claimed to be reflections of CSR
perspective. On the other side, philanthropy carries on to be influential to
some extent in a corporate character, in the practices of the companies.

Keywords

Traditional Philanthropy, Corporate Philanthropy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Turkey

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