Purpose

The esports industry has experienced a dynamic growth. In this context, a significant evolution in the logic of corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be observed, particularly in the digital sphere. By extending Carroll’s three-dimensional model to include corporate digital responsibility (CDR), this paper addresses a key research question: How does CSR evolve and develop in the dynamic digital industry of esports?

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a qualitative multiple case study research design. It drew on secondary data from 50 professional esports organisations and key players in CSR development in the global esports industry, such as game publishers, pro-teams, pro-athletes, event organisers, and governing bodies. A content analysis of 50 official websites and 72 public annual, CSR, and environmental reports for the financial years ending in 2021 and 2022 was conducted.

Findings

Our empirical findings not only map the territory of esports CSR and CDR but also provide practical insights. These insights are later synthesized to develop an esports CSR/CDR framework that extends Carroll’s three-dimensional model. CSR and CDR domains of esports are theoretically grounded (business performance, responsiveness, social issues, and digital responsibilities), while practical implications for managers and academics are forwarded.

Originality/value

This paper stands out as a pioneering empirical study, filling a significant research gap in the fields of CSR and CDR in esports. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first to illuminate these concepts within the unique ecosystem of esports, thereby contributing to the evolving understanding of CSR in the digital context.

中文翻译：

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电子竞技中的企业社会责任和数字责任

 目的

电子竞技行业经历了充满活力的增长。在此背景下，可以观察到企业社会责任 （CSR） 逻辑的重大演变，尤其是在数字领域。通过将 Carroll 的三维模型扩展到包括企业数字责任 （CDR），本文解决了一个关键的研究问题：企业社会责任如何在充满活力的电子竞技数字行业中演变和发展？

设计/方法/方法

本研究采用定性多案例研究研究设计。它借鉴了 50 个专业电竞组织和全球电竞行业 CSR 发展的关键参与者的二手数据，例如游戏发行商、职业团队、职业运动员、活动组织者和管理机构。对截至 2021 年和 2022 年的财政年度的 50 个官方网站和 72 份公开年度报告、企业社会责任和环境报告进行了内容分析。

 发现

我们的实证发现不仅描绘了电竞 CSR 和 CDR 的领域，还提供了实用的见解。这些见解后来被综合起来，开发了一个电子竞技 CSR/CDR 框架，扩展了 Carroll 的三维模型。电子竞技的 CSR 和 CDR 领域是有理论基础的（业务绩效、响应能力、社会问题和数字责任），同时对管理者和学者的实际影响也被提出来。

 原创性/价值

本文是一项开创性的实证研究，填补了电子竞技 CSR 和 CDR 领域的重大研究空白。据我们所知，这是第一个在独特的电子竞技生态系统中阐明这些概念的文章，从而有助于在数字环境中不断发展对 CSR 的理解。