Purpose – According to recent developments in the literature, the spread of corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles would inevitably have a significant impact on foreign activities of multinational corporations (MNCs). Two forces seem to have influenced multinational firms' behavior: social maturity from international society and cultural evolution of political thought in several developed countries (DCs). The literature has already pointed out the importance of the multinational firm's function as a moral agent, identifying different components of respect for a sustainability management system. Based on these assumptions, the purpose of this paper is to frame MNCs' behavior within CSR, stressing the importance of a different approach to the management of local resources and stakeholders. The paper will argue for a shift of perspective concerning workers, suppliers and community, from resources to be exploited to partners and co-creators of MNC values. Design/methodology/approach – In the research design, the authors use the case method, choosing a multiple case studies research composed of five firms, with three criteria: international firms with an international supply chain, firms with a formalized CSR management and organization process and the accessibility of firm data. Findings – In this paper, CSR emerges as the comparative advantage concept that forms the basis of the international distribution of multinational activities, calling for a new theoretical viewpoint that necessitates a rethinking of MNCs' strategies. Originality/value – MNCs are opening toward responsible and sustainable business strategies. Workers, suppliers and communities represent the true challenge ahead, and the management of relationships with these actors is the starting point for an internationalization in a more integrated ethical and economic view.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a dominant theme in business and literature. Many studies speak about corporate social innovation and considered companies facing with additional goals that are innovation and CSR. The research aim of this work starts to look at the relationship among CSR and innovation as a value-creating process which occur in a networks and relational context. Based on this we want to obtain insights about the role of network and the way in which stakeholders can be involved in corporate responsible innovation of products and processes. We chose a case study methodology and we selected three highly involved CSR and innovation firms. By studying the interactions between firms and stakeholders in CSR innovation processes we want to be able to highlight innovative patterns to management that it creates most opportunities for reaching additional goals of growth, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability of firm and its network.

In recent years the circular economy (CE) has gained considerable interest in the academic debate as a tool for achieving sustainable development. The implementation of the circular economy model requires innovation to overcome technological, economic, environmental, social, and regulatory barriers. However, companies do not always have the means to innovate due to lack of information, limited technical skills and financial constraints; as a result, innovation remains a fragmented phenomenon. Open Innovation (OI) is a tool identified in the literature as useful for overcoming this problem and thus for the development of the CE, as it accelerates the exchange of knowledge and the realisation of the necessary innovations. Despite this, the relationship between CE and OI, and particularly the influence of OI on CE, has been little investigated. In line with this, the paper aims to explore this relationship by analysing the process through which OI supports the development of the CE, focusing on the knowledge exchange aimed at circular innovation, and categorising the actors contributing to this process and their roles. The study adopts a qualitative approach and uses methods of descriptive analysis and case studies. The sample consists of 240 Italian circular organisations that support circularity in different ways. The results made it possible to classify the main actors involved and their contributions to the CE through OI practices, revealing unseen circular activities that support classical circular activities (slowing, closing, and narrowing of material and energy circuits) and are identified in services, technology or research. As a theoretical contribution, the research provides a framework describing the actions and relationships among the actors involved in the CE initiatives, with a focus on the Living Lab practices.