The Dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility in Asia: A 6 Country Study

Abstract

In light of the evidence of the rapidly changing landscape of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Asia, this paper seeks to analyse the dynamics and evolution of CSR in Asia, including the degree of variation and homogeneity within various Asian countries. We explore one proposition that isomorphism has occurred between 2002 and 2009, due to the adoption global CSR systems such as the UN Global Compact and the Global Reporting Initiative. We compare this to the alternative proposition that distinct national differences remain in Asia, due to differing national characteristics and business systems. This paper analyses CSR data collected from the CSR reports of the top 50 companies in China, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Our preliminary findings suggest that there has been a significant increase in both the levels and depth of reported CSR during the time period, suggesting an increase in CSR in these 6 Asian countries. However, we do not see standardised patterns, as suggested by the isomorphism argument. Nor do we see each country exhibiting very distinct patterns. Instead we see two very distinct national CSR patterns for two countries, and clusters of similarity in CSR between others.