Corporate Social Responsibility in Latin America: An Overview of Its Characteristics and Effects on Local Communities

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the development of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in Latin America to understand the impact these practices have had on communities. We will review the research and practice of CSR in Latin America, then highlight successful and unsuccessful community development experiences resulting from CSR activities. The focus is on communities composed of low-income populations and the lessons learned from their experiences. The final sections describe current CSR trends in Latin America and the research that needs to be done.