Education and corporate social responsibility: Mapping the scientific landscape through bibliometric analysis

Abstract

This study conducts a systematic and bibliometric analysis of global scientific production on the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the educational sector, examining articles indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases from 2010 to 2025. The research was structured following the PRISMA guidelines and the PICo model, analyzing a total of 1,214 articles that met the established methodological and thematic criteria. The findings reveal a sustained increase in academic output since 2016, coinciding with the consolidation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). Higher education emerges as the primary focus, with five main thematic areas identified: institutional sustainability, ethical training, governance, public perception, and sociocultural factors. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and China lead in scientific production, with growing contributions from regions like Latin America and Asia. The study highlights opportunities for future research, including qualitative studies in local contexts, assessments of the real impact of CSR initiatives, and analyses of the role of emerging technologies in educational settings. These findings underscore the critical role of education as a strategic pillar for ethical and sustainable transformation in the 21st century.