Consumer Social Responsibility: A Systematic Literature Review

While organizations continually focus on social responsibility, research and practice increasingly emphasize consumers’ role and importance in this domain. This study explores consumer social responsibility (CnSR) through a systematic literature review of 72 academic articles from reputable journals. The results indicate that CnSR is gaining research attention, as reflected in the growing number of publications. Most studies come from advanced economies, mainly the U.S., and researchers have predominantly used quantitative methods, though qualitative and mixed methods are in use. Content analysis reveals that CnSR is conceptualized around several themes, including economic, environmental, health, philanthropic, social, and ethical dimensions. Literature shows a shift in CnSR from firm-oriented (reactive) to self-oriented (proactive) responsibility. This study is limited to peer-reviewed academic articles published in English in reputable business and management journals, extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. While the study provides valuable insights into consumers’ role in promoting social responsibility and their impact on society and the environment, it may not fully represent non-English perspectives or other disciplines. Business practitioners and policymakers can utilize this research to promote responsible consumption. Although earlier studies have explored aspects of CnSR, this study presents a systematic literature review.