Corporate social responsibility as an institution of public-private partnership and efficient regional economic and social policy

The paper presents a theoretical analysis of a corporate social responsibility concept (CSR), its gist, types, levels and forms of its implementation. Realizing their own interests, corporations may contribute to the community’s development or may inflict environmental damage undermining the stability of community’s economies. This depends on the model of relations between corporations and local communities. The authors discuss the approaches to the implementation of Canada-Russia Program on CSR which could contribute to the development of social responsibility of business in Russia and in northern regions especially. The Program is aimed at supporting the sustainable development in the Russian North and the better life of population through sharing the contemporary principles of CSR developed and applied in Canada. The program focuses on maintaining balance between companies’ interests and a wide spectrum of public interests.