CSR  in  Japanese Companies: Perspectives from Managers

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Increasingly, corporations are expected to be more socially and environmentally responsible in the communities and society where their operations are located. This is more so with ever growing sensitivity towards social and environmental issues, and demands from various stakeholders expecting corporations to do more for society. This study examines managers' actual CSR perceptions and practices in Japan. The paper reports on an empirical study carried out in Japan in 2012, where 12 Japanese global companies were interviewed about their CSR and sustainability strategy and practices. Results reveal that companies that participated in the study are keen to demonstrate that CSR is integral to their business strategy and have various projects and initiatives to support their position and commitment. For example, the tsunami disaster in March 2011 demonstrates how Japanese companies pulled their resources together to support the victims. However, there are other areas such as volunteering, diversity in the workplace and work–life balance that require more business attention.