TADESE TEKLU2025-08-212025-06-28https://repository.mu.edu.et/handle/123456789/87810.82589/muir-78110.82589/muir-781This study investigates the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on company competitiveness, focusing on Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) Mekelle district. In an era where business success is increasingly measured not only by profit but also by social and environmental impact, CSR has emerged as a strategic tool for long term organizational growth. As Ethiopia’s largest financial institution, CBE has implemented various CSR initiatives ranging from community development and educational support to environmental conservation and financial literacy programs. However, the extent to which these initiatives contribute to the bank’s competitiveness, especially at the branch level, remains unclear. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing both primary and secondary data. Questionnaire were distributed to 166 respondents, comprising customers and employees from four selected CBE branches. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS to assess the relationship between CSR practices and indicators of competitiveness such as customer loyalty, brand reputation, and employee engagement. Findings reveal a strong positive correlation between CSR activities not only to enhance the bank’s public image but also foster stakeholders trust and internal commitment. Despite these benefits challenges such as weak strategic alignment, limited monitoring mechanisms, and low stakeholder awareness hinder the full integration of CSR in to business strategy. The study concludes that CSR is a powerful driven of competitiveness when proactively and strategically implemented. It recommends that CBE strengthen CSR integration within its core operations, enhance stakeholder education, and establish systematic evaluation tools. The research contributes to the broader understanding of CSR’s strategic role in emerging markets and offers practical insights for policymakers, banking institutions, and CSR practitioners.encorporate social responsibilitycompetitivenessstrategic alignmentstakeholder engagementCommercial Bank of EthiopiaThesis