Integrating corporate social responsibility and renewable energy adoption: A pathway to sustainable performance in ecologically fragile regions

Ecologically fragile regions face ever-increasing problems due to the twin pressures of economic development and environmental degradation, requiring strategic pathways to achieve sustainable production. Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained significant ground as a critical strategic management instrument for sustainability, the processes through which CSR can deliver quantifiable ecological and economic benefits have yet to be tested, particularly in threatened ecosystems. This study addresses this gap by examining how CSR promotes renewable energy adoption (REA), which in turn contributes to ecological and economic performance (EEP). This analysis is based on Stakeholder Theory and Institutional Theory and is developed to create a comprehensive framework that incorporates the roles of mediation and moderation. The sample comprised 330 enterprises in the Upper Minjiang River Basin, China, and the analysis involved partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results show that CSR has a significant positive effect on REA (β = 0.32, p < 0.01), while economic performance shows the highest explained variance (R² = 0.55). REA partially mediates this relationship. In addition, a supportive policy environment (PE) amplifies the impact of REA, while contract-rights structure (CRS) limits its effectiveness. This study contributes to the literature and informs strategic policy and practice regarding the need for institutional support and adaptable governance to advance sustainable transitions in ecologically fragile regions.