The Impact of Adopting Corporate Social Responsibility Standards on Institutional Performance in Algeria: A Socio-Environmental Perspective

Resumo

This article analyzes the impact of adopting corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards on the performance of Algerian institutions from an integrated socio-environmental perspective, within the context of economic transformations and governmental orientation toward sustainable development. The investigation employed an interpretive qualitative approach using a multiple case study strategy. Thematic content analysis was conducted manually on eight leading Algerian institutions across six strategic sectors (hydrocarbons, cement, pharmaceuticals, water, energy, telecommunications) during 2017-2023. A total of 42 primary documents and 58 supporting documents were analyzed, applying the four qualitative quality criteria proposed by Lincoln and Guba (1985). The analysis revealed three distinct patterns of CSR adoption: pioneer (25%), intermediate (50%), and limited (25%). Committed institutions achieved tangible improvements: (1) Financially: energy savings of 22-25%, employee turnover cost reduction of 47%; (2) Socially: productivity increase of 15-25%, strong correlation coefficient (r=0.68) between CSR and employee performance; (3) Environmentally: CO₂ emissions reduction of 18%, gas flaring reduction from 25% to 19%, water loss reduction from 45% to 32%. This research uncovered a structural gap between advanced legislative framework and limited practical implementation.This paper presents a new tripartite classification model for Algerian institutions, an analytical framework integrating international theories with local context, and strong empirical evidence of tangible CSR benefits in an emerging economy context. It addresses a clear gap in Arabic literature on socio-environmental dimensions of CSR in emerging economies and provides actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.