Authors:
K. Arun, P. S. Sreelekshmi, Karthik Hari, M. P. Meenakshi, U. Krishnakumar
Addresses:
Department of Commerce and Management, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Kollam, Kerala, India. Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala, India.
The CSR of Indian Maharatna PSUs is examined here. Their strategic objectives are assessed for SDG support. Section 135 of the 2013 Enterprises Act required Maharatna enterprises, India's largest and most resource-intensive state-owned corporations, to contribute to social development. A qualitative content study uses secondary data from all 12 Maharatna enterprises' 2018-2023 annual reports, CSRs, and BRSRs. Patterns, strategic priorities, and gaps in the theme of CSR investment and 17 SDGs are found. The data show that CSR donations prioritize SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). This tendency exhibits institutional isomorphism, driven by Schedule VII of the Companies Act, and mimetic alignment with high-profile government flagship operations. Prioritizing legitimacy over governance and environment neglects systems. CSR for SDGs 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), 15 (Life on Land), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) is low. The “environmental-governance gap” causes strategic dissonance since energy and heavy-industry companies' principal operations have environmental repercussions.
Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility; Public Sector Undertakings; Sustainable Development Goals; Institutional Theory; Legitimacy Theory; Strategic Alignment; Business Responsibility; Sustainability Reports.
Received on: 26/07/2024, Revised on: 05/10/2024, Accepted on: 11/12/2024, Published on: 05/03/2025
DOI: 10.69888/FTSTPL.2025.000394
FMDB Transactions on Sustainable Technoprise Letters, 2025 Vol. 3 No. 1, Pages: 1-9