THE ATTITUDES OF BUSINESS STUDENTS TOWARDS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: EVIDENCE FROM EASTERN CROATIA

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has recently become a significant element of sustainable development and social progress. Its importance has been highlighted in theory and in practice. Companies can no longer focus solely on profit related goals. They are now responsible for making decision that are ethically and socially acceptable. The purpose of this research is to examine the attitudes of business students towards corporate social responsibility, investigate the differences in those attitudes and to establish how education process can influence students' understanding of corporate social responsibility. The survey was conducted among undergraduate and graduate students of all years on the Faculty of Economics in Osijek, through a highly structured questionnaire which was designed based on adapted international scales. Business students represent future business leaders who will, with their knowledge and business decisions, create the economic future of Croatia. It is important for companies as well as for academia to consider students' perceptions of corporate social responsibility and to evaluate how prepared are they for this type of business environment. By understanding the attitudes of business students, it is possible to predict and positively influence the future of corporate social responsibility in the economy of Eastern Croatia, and the whole country as well.