Full name and contact information of Organizer：

Ming Jia*
Professor and Associate Dean
Northwestern Polytechnical University
Email: jiaming@nwpu.edu.cn

Ying Zhang
Associate Professor
Northwestern Polytechnical University
Email: zhangyingmgt@nwpu.edu.cn

Heli Wang
Professor, Dean of Graduate School
Singapore Management University
Email: hlwang@smu.edu.sg

Panel Discussion: the current challenges and future directions for Chinese CSR scholars

(Notes: We are still inviting panelists for this workshop)

Goal of the workshop

With the global saturation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) research and the increasing hesitancy of leading academic journals to accept CSR-focused submissions from China, this is a pivotal moment for Chinese CSR scholars to reconsider their future research directions. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to rethink traditional paradigms and explore innovative pathways that align with evolving global trends and scholarly standards. The objective is to convene scholars committed to advancing beyond existing CSR frameworks. Through focused discussions, we aim to generate fresh perspectives, identify underexplored research areas, and provide strategic guidance for the next phase of CSR scholarship in China.

Content of the workshop

  This panel will serve as a platform for panelists to share their insights based on their expertise in CSR-related and China-focused research. The discussion will center on the following key questions:

1. What are the most significant challenges and threats facing Chinese CSR scholars today?
2. What are the underlying factors contributing to these challenges?
3. What future directions should Chinese CSR scholars pursue to remain relevant and impactful?
4. How can CSR topics—or other research areas within the Chinese context—be framed to stand out? Specifically, how can they deliver unique theoretical contributions?

Intended participants and admission criteria for the participants

This panel welcomes researchers with a general interest in CSR, regardless of their focus on macro or micro perspectives. While participants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the works of the panelists before attending, this is not a strict admission requirement.

The overview of the session:

• Welcome and introduction (3 minutes): The session chair will briefly introduce the workshop, including its theme, the panelists, and the key objectives of the session.

• Keynote speech by panelists (75 minutes total, 15 minutes each): Each panelist will share their perspectives on the identified issues. While panelists are not required to address all the questions, they are encouraged to provide in-depth arguments and insights on specific aspects of the discussion topics.

• Interactive session (10 minutes in total): Participants will have the opportunity for face-to-face discussions with the panelists. This segment will facilitate direct engagement, allowing attendees to ask questions and receive insights and reflections from the panelists.

• Summary (2 minutes): The session chair will give a brief summary about workshop.