| CSR (1953) | Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) diverges from the traditional profit-centric model by emphasizing the concern for human values in the production process, as well as the contribution to the environment, consumers, and society. A company’s commitment to CSR positively affects its daily management decisions and performance indicators. | CSR is closely related to corporate innovation and corporate value. |
| Circular Economy Model (1962) | The Circular Economy Model advocates for maximal resource utilization – including raw materials, energy, and water – in production to enhance efficiency and reduce costs, highlighting waste reduction and improved reuse rates. This helps to reduce the burden of enterprises on the environment, reduce the risk of pollution, and improve their sense of social responsibility. | Focuses on efficient resource use and pollution reduction |
| Stakeholder Theory (1960s) | Stakeholder Theory emphasises that enterprise development involves not only shareholders but also other stakeholders like employees, suppliers, customers, communities, and governments. This comprehensiveness makes it necessary for enterprises to consider social responsibility and environmental impacts while pursuing economic benefits, so as to achieve truly sustainable development. | Comprehensiveness is presented as the main argument. |
| SDRF (1980s) | The Sustainable Development Reporting Framework (SDRF) views corporate sustainability as a complex, systematic endeavour involving all levels within the enterprise and various external influencing factors. Therefore, enterprises need to grasp all aspects of enterprise development from a holistic perspective and ensure coordination and consistency in all aspects when drawing up sustainability reports. | Emphasizes integration and a systemic approach. |
| Green Economy Theory (1990s) | Green Economy (GE) theory stresses that enterprises should pay attention to environmental protection and sustainable resource use while pursuing economic interests. This requires enterprises to reduce damage to the environment, improve resource utilisation efficiency, and reduce energy consumption and pollutant emissions in the production process, so as to achieve coordinated development of the economy, society, and the environment. | Highlights environmental friendliness. |
| Triple Bottom Line Theory (1997) | Tripple Bottom Line (TBL) theory offers a balanced perspective that encourages companies to care about their employees, the environment, and their profits, to ensure that everyone benefits in the long run. In addition, integrating social and environmental responsibility into business practices can give companies a competitive advantage. Customers will be more attracted to such a company, employees will be more willing to stay and work for such a company, and investors may be more interested. | Stresses companies balancing financial, social, and environmental concerns. |
| Theory of Natural Capitalism (2001) | The Theory of Natural Capitalism stresses that economic activities should be premised on respect for and protection of the natural environment. This concept contrasts with previous profit-centred capitalism theories, and emphasises the need for enterprises to consider their impact on the environment while pursuing economic benefits. This theory holds that only by looking at the development of enterprises from a long-term perspective can sustainable development be truly realised. This means that enterprises should consider not only short-term economic benefits, but also long-term ecological and social benefits. | Key concepts include ecocentrism, a long-term perspective, and social responsibility. |
| ESG Standards (2004) | Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards provide a multi-dimensional perspective from environment, society to governance, which makes corporate decisions and behaviours on sustainability more comprehensive, emphasises the importance of balancing and meeting the needs of all stakeholders (including shareholders, employees and customers); focuses on reducing information discrepancies between firms and their stakeholders, particularly with regard to transparency of environmental and social performance. | Key concepts include a multi-dimensional perspective, stakeholder balance, and information transparency. |
| SVCFT (2011) | The Shared Value Creation Framework Theory (SVCFT) emphasises long-term, sustained value creation rather than short-term profit maximisation. This differs from traditional business strategy theories, which tend to focus more on short-term financial performance. | Emphasizes a long-term perspective and stakeholder engagement. |
