“The Politicization of CSR Communication: Navigating an Increasingly Complex Landscape of Responsibilities”

Call for Papers – Special Issue: “The Politicization of CSR Communication: Navigating an Increasingly Complex Landscape of Responsibilities”

Journal: Corporate Communications: An International Journal
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Submission deadline: 30 March 2027

Overview

This special issue examines how the politicization of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) communication—the process by which sustainability issues become publicly contested and subject to partisan interpretation—shapes organizational practice. As topics such as climate action, diversity, and ESG mandates increasingly trigger political scrutiny and polarization, the traditional goal of consensus-building in CSR is being challenged. The editors seek conceptual and empirical contributions that explore how organizations maintain legitimacy, ensure accountability, and navigate communication in these contested, politically charged settings.

Key Research Themes

• Theoretical Evolution: How politicization reshapes concepts of legitimacy, stakeholder engagement, and political CSR.

• Managerial Practice: Strategies for framing, narrative work, and risk management in daily CSR communication.

• Communicative Strategies: Opportunities and limits for counteracting polarization and fostering constructive public dialogue.

• Drivers of Politicization: The impact of regulatory debates, national politics, and international governance on communication environments.

• Audience Dynamics: Stakeholder interpretation of politicized messages, influenced by identity, ideology, and media usage.

• Corporate Social Advocacy: The mechanics and consequences of taking public positions on divisive issues.

• Mediated Environments: The role of news media, digital platforms, and algorithmic dynamics in amplifying political contestation.

• Accountability & ESG: How politicized ESG debates reshape reporting, due diligence, and investor relations.

Submission Details

• Submission window: 30 November 2026 – 30 March 2027.

• Submission portal: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/ccij

• Article Type: Select “The politicization of CSR communication” from the dropdown menu during submission.

Guest Editors

• Klement Podnar, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (klement.podnar@fdv.uni-lj.si)

• Laura Olkkonen, LUT University, Finland (Laura.Olkkonen@lut.fi)

• Visa Penttilä, LUT University, Finland (Visa.Penttila@lut.fi)

• Urša Golob, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia (ursa.golob@fdv.uni-lj.si)

Why This Issue Matters

For scholars and practitioners alike, politicization has become a structural condition of modern CSR. This special issue aims to bridge the current gap between political CSR, CSR communication, and corporate social advocacy research, providing a robust, integrated framework for understanding how organizations articulate responsibility in a polarized world.

ServiceSetu Academics — Premier Platform for Academic Opportunities & Research Collaboration

Visit official website of the publisher