Network Analysis of the Relationships Among the Dimensions of Corporate Social Responsibility in Iranian Knowledge-Based Companies Using the Fuzzy DEMATEL Technique

In today's competitive and knowledge-driven economic environment, knowledge-based companies play a pivotal role in economic development, technological innovation, and the creation of sustainable competitive advantage. In such an environment, reliance solely on financial indicators is no longer sufficient for evaluating organizational performance, and broader dimensions, such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), have become key components of organizational success and sustainability. Corporate social responsibility encompasses a set of economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic obligations that an organization assumes toward its internal and external stakeholders. The present study aims to analyze the network relationships among the dimensions of Corporate Social Responsibility in Iranian knowledge-based companies and to identify the causal and effect factors influencing these dimensions using the Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (Fuzzy DEMATEL) technique. In terms of its objective, this study is applied in nature and, methodologically, falls within the category of mixed-methods research (qualitative-quantitative). In the qualitative phase, the research indicators were identified through a systematic review of the literature and semi-structured interviews with experts in the field of management and managers of knowledge-based companies. In the quantitative phase, the interactive relationships among the identified indicators were examined using pairwise comparison questionnaires and the Fuzzy DEMATEL technique. The findings revealed that the ethical and legal dimensions of Corporate Social Responsibility have the greatest degree of influence on the other dimensions and constitute the primary causal factors driving sustainable development in knowledge-based companies. The results of this study provide managers and policymakers with a practical decision-support framework for designing and implementing innovative Corporate Social Responsibility strategies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ، Knowledge-Based Companies ، Fuzzy DEMATEL ، Network Analysis ، Cause-and-Effect Relationships