This article examines the overseas corporate social responsibility (CSR) patterns of Chinese international contractors (CICs). Adopting an institutional and political economy approach, a unique dataset is constructed with country-specific contents drawn from CSR-related reports and website information of 50 top CICs. This dataset provides a foundation for systematic content analysis of CICs’ overseas CSR practices, revealing that both political legitimacy-seeking and strategic competitiveness-seeking motivations drive CICs’ CSR activities abroad, characterized by the prioritization of customer and community engagement. The findings highlight the coexistence of the exogenous pressures for the national image-building purpose and the endogenous awareness of CSR strategic importance for corporate internationalization. The hybridization of political and economic rationales is presented as the defining feature of CICs’ current overseas CSR patterns, with the balance between them being determined by stakeholder type and internal business needs influenced by corporate internationalization experience.

Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs) have increasingly engaged in outward foreign direct investment in recent years, and particularly into the infrastructure sector of developing economies. This has been prompted by the infrastructure-led economic integration plan of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. However, such collaboration faces many challenges. Infrastructure projects are often undertaken in industries, countries, and regions posing particular and difficult challenges, and with divergent, often conflicting interests, with the ensuing conclusion that the MNE is simply exploiting the project and not delivering value to the host country. Overall, not only does the infrastructure project have to be well-functioning with expected returns (or savings) realized, but these projects face close scrutiny from local communities, labor, opposition parties, neighboring countries, and various international bodies and nonprofits, requiring delicate handling of the principals involved. The unfolding of these issues and their management by the multinational are examined through an in-depth longitudinal case study. The data are drawn from major participants and stakeholders around a leading Chinese MNE and the mega project of the construction of a major hydropower plant in Pakistan.

This empirical paper investigates the impact of green brand knowledge, green trust, and social responsibility on consumer purchase intentions within the developing nation of Pakistan. By highlighting the importance of these factors in influencing consumer behavior towards environmentally friendly products, the study aims to address the pressing need to mitigate environmental pollutants. Employing a quantitative research methodology, the study utilizes a questionnaire survey adapted from previous research to gather data. Regression analysis reveals significant and positive relationships between green brand knowledge, green trust, social responsibility, and consumer purchase intentions. Notably, green brand knowledge emerges as the most influential factor in shaping purchase intentions. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the dynamics of consumer behavior in a developing country context and offers practical implications for managers and decision-makers seeking to align organizational goals with consumer preferences for green brands. The findings underscore the importance of integrating environmental considerations into marketing strategies to meet consumer demand for sustainable products and foster environmental stewardship.