Contextualising Corporate Social Responsibility in Singapore

Abstract

This article argues that the context in which business operates plays a large role in whether and to what extent a particular firm adopts corporate social responsibility (CSR). In Singapore, this context is shaped by government, private sector and civil society relations, partly characterised by pervasive government presence in all aspects of society including the private sector. The article examines the level of awareness of CSR issues amongst selected publicly listed or government-owned companies and the extent to which CSR policies are incorporated into their business practices. It goes on to look into the pressures that exist for companies to adopt CSR and the challenges that they face in the implementation of these practices. The results of the research show that the areas where companies in Singapore showed the most progress in their CSR practices were also the areas that the government is most active in offering incentives and support. We conclude by establishing that the companies in Singapore face top down collaborative pressure to adopt CSR practices that is distinct from the European and North American experience, where bottom up pressures from consumers and civil society groups are more prevalent.