TRANSPARENCY IN CSR REPORTING: BRIDGING THE TRUST GAP WITH STAKEHOLDERS

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting plays a crucial role in fostering transparency and building trust between corporations and their stakeholders. In recent years, businesses have increasingly adopted CSR initiatives to demonstrate their commitment to ethical practices, sustainability, and social well-being. However, the credibility of CSR reporting remains a significant challenge due to concerns over selective disclosures, greenwashing, and inconsistent reporting standards. Transparency in CSR reporting is essential to bridging the trust gap with stakeholders, ensuring accountability, and enhancing corporate reputation. This paper explores the importance of transparent CSR reporting, the challenges associated with achieving it, and best practices that organizations can adopt to improve credibility. By utilizing standardized reporting frameworks, leveraging third-party audits, and embracing digital transparency tools, companies can enhance stakeholder trust and engagement. Additionally, the role of regulatory frameworks, industry standards, and technological advancements in improving CSR reporting is analyzed. The findings highlight that organizations that prioritize transparency not only strengthen their relationships with stakeholders but also gain a competitive advantage in an increasingly responsible business environment.