A systematic review of CSR disclosure by dual-purpose multinational corporations in African fresh fruit supply chains

Abstract Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSR-D) research has largely overlooked global agri-food supply chains. While sectors such as energy, banking, and manufacturing have been widely examined, research focusing on fresh fruit supply chains in Africa remains relatively scarce, despite the significant role African countries play in fresh fruit production and export and the sustainability challenges associated with these systems. This study addresses this gap by systematically reviewing CSR-D research with a focus on multinational corporations operating in African fresh fruit supply chains, particularly firms that combine commercial and social objectives. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework, the review analyses 129 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 1995 and 2024. The study first maps key determinants, trends, reporting formats, and challenges within the broader CSR-D literature, before examining how disclosure practices manifest within African fresh fruit supply chains. The findings indicate that CSR disclosure in this context is shaped by legitimacy concerns, stakeholder pressures, buyer-driven governance structures, and fragmented institutional environments. While disclosure is often framed as a mechanism for transparency and accountability, it remains largely selective and aspirational, with limited engagement with local stakeholder realities. By integrating insights from CSR-D, global value chain, and institutional literatures, the review advances a context-sensitive, meso-level understanding of CSR disclosure in African fresh fruit supply chains. The study highlights the need for future research to incorporate local stakeholder perspectives, examine relationships among supply-chain actors, and adopt more diverse methodological and theoretical approaches to enhance the credibility and relevance of CSR disclosure in African fresh fruit supply chains.