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The Maturing of the Japanese Economy: Corporate Social Responsibility Implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2015

Richard E. Wokutch  and
Jon M. Shepard
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Abstract:

This paper examines corporate social responsibility in Japan today within the context of the paradigm of the moral unity of business. Under this paradigm, business is expected to operate under the same set of moral standards operative in other societal institutions. We suggest that a micro moral unity characterizes Japan—business activity is linked to that society’s moral values but only within carefully circumscribed communities of interest. Because of the strains brought on by the maturing of the Japanese economy, the negative consequences of this micro moral unity are now becoming apparent. A new paradigm will be required to address these challenges. A possible foundation for such a paradigm, based on the emerging notion of kyosei (living and working together for the common good), is discussed.

Type
Articles
Information
Business Ethics Quarterly , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , July 1999 , pp. 527 - 540
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Business Ethics 1999

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