Darmenova, Yuliya ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3884-6621 and Costales, Emilio ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1595-5531 (2025) Reimagining Corporate Social Responsibility: navigating the formality-informality nexus. In: Academy of Management Proceedings. Academy of Management, New York, p. 15054. (doi:10.5465/AMPROC.2025.15054abstract)

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Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has traditionally been explored through Western-centric frameworks, often overlooking the unique socio-cultural and institutional contexts of developing countries. Using Kazakhstan as a case analysis, this study draws on insights from semi-structured interviews with decision makers of SMEs to examine how businesses in Kazakhstan navigate the intersection of formal and informal institutions to implement CSR practices. Our findings reveal that businesses do not reject formal rules but reinterpret them through informal norms to align with local societal expectations. We term this process Resistance Adaptation, where formal mandates are contextually reshaped to reflect societal, relational, and cultural norms rather than outright opposition. We introduce a conceptual framework for CSR in non-Western contexts and highlight the need for a dynamic, context-sensitive perspective on the interplay and relative strength of formality and informality. Our study offers practical insights for policymakers and practitioners seeking to align CSR strategies with local lived realities, and further contributes to a deeper understanding of how local businesses engage with social responsibilities.

Item Type:	Conference Proceedings
Title of Proceedings:	Academy of Management Proceedings
Uncontrolled Keywords:	CSR, Informal Institutions, Kazakhstan
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Greenwich Business School Greenwich Business School > Executive Business Centre
Related URLs:	Publisher
Last Modified:	24 Oct 2025 10:45
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/51273

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