Corporate Social Responsibility and Conflict Zones: Multinational Corporations in the Russia-Ukraine War

Sofiia Tereshchenko

Bakalářská práce

Abstract:

The thesis critically analyses the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in conflict zones, focusing on the balance between ethical and strategic decision-making. The study focuses on the case of McDonald’s, which conducted a business withdrawal from the Russian market following Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The theoretical part of the paper covers key CSR concepts, including the Triple Bottom Line and Caroll’s Pyramid, as well as strategies for exiting conflict zones. The motivations and limitations of CSR solutions such as stakeholder pressure, financial implications, and reputational risks are analysed. The case study demonstrates that CSR decisions include several moral dilemmas: global equity, controversial consequences for supply chain stakeholders, ethics of consumption, etc. A comparative analysis of major corporations continuing business operations in Russia shows that the absence of CSR principles could lead to boycotts, loss of loyalty, and governmental sanctions. Conflict zones provide a bright example of CSR not as a solely altruistic practice, but a strategic tool enabling companies to balance ethical obligations and long-term business interests in conflict zones.

Keywords

Corporate Social Responsibility, Russia, Ukraine, Conflict, Human Rights, International Law, Business Ethics

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 26. 3. 2025

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 28. 5. 2025
• Vedoucí: Daniel Rosenhaft Swain, Ph.D. MA
• Oponent: Dominik Kulcsár, externi

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Provozně ekonomická fakulta

Bakalářský studijní program:
Business Administration