In case you ever wondered what the real, insider definition is:
Corporate social responsibility is a hybrid PR/branding program that attempts to convert compliance into goodwill.
CSR attempts to align corporate needs (profits, revenue, growth) with social needs (people, community, planet). In the end, CSR is a compulsory exercise designed to limit liability, boost morale and add to the branding story of the company.
From the obnoxious corporate cheerleader Tim Sanders, Advertising Age, September 17, 2009.