The Journal of Corporate Citizenship is pleased to invite papers for a special issue of the JCC on ‘Japanese Approaches to CSR.’
Guest Editor: Prof. Kanji Tanimoto, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan
Overview of the theme
How is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) understood and managed in Japanese business, and how is it part of ‘good’ Corporate Governance?
The debate on CSR has grown rapidly and internationally over the last two decades, in both business and academic communities. The current CSR movement has been developed in European and Anglo-American contexts based on principles of the market, industrial, business and social structures. However, CSR has taken root in other countries and areas as well and increasingly in Japan. The Japanese economic system has been traditionally structured by relational trading between firms, relational banking, and a long-term relationship with employees for mutual consideration. It has always been an advantage of the Japanese economy. Now, however, we must explore whether it is a strength or weakness for globalization and in embedding CSR into Japanese corporate society. There is much debate on how to incorporate the concept and philosophy of CSR into the context of different countries. Since the early 2000s there have been a growing number of studies offering alternative perspectives on CSR, deriving from Asia and other regions. We need to examine how CSR management and practical wisdom in organisations works in various countries/regions, rather than simply highlighting the differences amongst regions.
There are some crucial questions to be asked. Do Japanese CSR management systems work well? How have Japanese companies imported and understood the concept of CSR and integrated it into management systems and strategies? How have they incorporated CSR into the governance system and engaged with the stakeholders? How do Japanese companies export CSR polices into subsidiaries abroad? And what is the next strategic challenge for sustainable development for Japan?
This special issue of JCC will explore how Japanese companies have responded to the CSR movement and to what extent Japanese companies embed CSR in management processes. It will also analyze the challenges they are facing in making CSR systems function in organizations and in contributing to global sustainable development. We are particularly interested in Japanese/global CSR issues and the challenges posed to companies.
Coverage
Proposals may address the subthemes listed below, in the context of Japan, but do not necessarily have to be limited to these.
- Strategic sustainability management
- Relationship between CSR and corporate governance
- The future of CSR and/or corporate governance
- Stakeholder engagement
- Responsible management and integrated reporting
- Responsible supply chain management
- Gender issues
- Responsible investment and finance
- Labour and human rights issues
- Strategic philanthropy and social business
- Green/social innovation
- Global standards versus local standards
- Sustainability challenges and leadership
Schedule
Completed papers of between 4,000-6,000 words should be submitted via the JCC online author submission form no later than March 31, 2014.
For more information see the JCC author guidelines at www.greenleaf-publishing.com/jcc.
Initial expressions of interest in the form of abstracts of approximately 300 words are also welcomed by the guest editor prior to full submission.
- Full paper submissions: March 31, 2014
- Revised paper submissions: June 31, 2014
- Publish: December 2014
The issue will publish as the Journal of Corporate Citizenship 56 (December 2014). JCC is published in print and online formats. It is also included as part of the Sustainable Organization Library (www.gseresearch.com/sol).
Contact details
Guest Editor
Prof. Kanji Tanimoto
School of Commerce, Waseda University
1-6-1, Nishi-Waseda, Shinjyuku-Ku,
169-8050, Tokyo, JAPAN
k.tanimoto@tanimoto-office.jp
Publisher
Claire Jackson
Greenleaf Publishing
Aizlewood Mill, Nursery Street
Sheffield, S3 8GG, UK
claire.jackson@greenleaf-publishing.com
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