The Role of Digital Innovations in Driving Meaningful Social Change for Businesses and Society

Abstract

Purpose: Despite the growing convergence of digital transformation and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), existing research remains fragmented and lacks a theoretically grounded explanation of how digital innovations systematically drive meaningful social change. This study addresses this gap by developing a Digital CSR Transformation Framework (DCTF) that explains how digital technologies enhance CSR effectiveness through greater transparency, stakeholder integration, and scalable impact. Methodology: The research is a theory-based narrative review, which incorporates the knowledge in the CSR, digital transformation, and sustainability literature. Relying on the stakeholder theory and digital innovation viewpoint, the paper integrates the existing literature to create a conceptual framework of how digital technologies redefine CSR practices. Findings: The study identifies three core mechanisms through which digital innovation transforms CSR: (1) data-driven transparency, (2) digitally enabled stakeholder engagement, and (3) scalable social impact models. All these mechanisms reposition CSR as a dynamic value creation process that is not based on compliance. However, the results also reflect on the structural tensions associated with digital inequality, ethical risks, and governance constraints. Research Limitations: As a narrative review, this study lacks empirical validation of the proposed framework. Implying the Digital CSR Transformation Framework (DCTF), future research must test the framework in various industries and institutional situations. Practical Implications: The framework offers a systematic way of incorporating digital technologies into CSR strategies for managers so that the social impact can be more measurable, transparent, and scalable. Social Implications: Though digital innovations can potentially democratize CSR and accelerate the attainment of the goals of sustainability, the absence of digital accessibility adds to the threat of inequality that reinforces existing social disparities. Value: This study contributes in three aspects: 1. introduces a new integrative framework (DCTF), 2. offers a synthesis of CSR and digital innovation literature based on a theory, and 3. transforms the discussion of technology adoption to technology-enabled social value creation.