Conclusion, implications and further research
The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review of CSR research to reveal and conceptualise CSR's state of art in the construction industry. The findings reveal four research themes in the construction industry, i.e. CSR perception, CSR dimensions, CSR implementation and the CSR performance. Owing to extensive diversity in the construction industry in terms of its associated processes and related disciplines, CSR is literarily perceived as an ambiguous terminology that is lacking in common definition in the industry. Nevertheless, CSR is still viewed to help to achieve the goal of sustainability in the industry. The CSR dimensions reveal the common CSR practices, thereby enabling the identification of dominant CSR dimensions in the construction industry. Of the social, environmental and economic dimensions of CSR, the social dimension is the most dominant in the construction industry, followed by the environmental and economic dimensions. The social dimension encompasses CSR practices such as education and skill acquisition which are old fashioned, and new forms such as social procurement, social enterprise and indigenous reconciliation. CSR implementation reveals the specific strategies for ensuring successful implementation of CSR. These include: embedding CSR as part of organisational vision, mission or policy, incorporating CSR as part of the conditions to be executed in the project delivery of construction contracts, employing CSR or sustainability standards as guideline for CSR implementation, adherence to the national guidelines for sustainable development or social responsibility and partnership among construction industry stakeholders and/or external parties to deliver social gains. Lastly, CSR performance indicates the impact of CSR on the performance in construction organisations in both economic and non-economic forms.
