Purpose

Applying mainstream, Western-centric corporate social responsibility (CSR) theory to make sense of CSR practices of multinational firms of non-Western origin seems to be problematic for CSR theory and practice. The purpose of this study is to critically analyse the CSR integration journey of a Japanese multinational firm with a view to understanding CSR integration in a global business context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a qualitative research method using a single case study approach to investigate a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context. A theoretical lens of seven patterns of CSR integration interwoven with Japanese and mainstream CSR discourses is used to make sense of internalisation and internationalisation process.

Findings

Main findings are presented under four themes: product harm crisis as a call for CSR, CSR governance and bottom up initiatives, recycling oriented CSR and product designing, co-existing Japanese CSR in the global marketplace. An external misfit of a firm’s practice in the domestic market can lead to internalising country-specific CSR through CSR integration resulting in successful internationalisation of country-specific CSR practices.

Research limitations/implications

Country-specific CSR integration follows context-specific routines and practices; this process can be shaped and reshaped by the prevailing international CSR discourse due to internationalisation of a firm’s operation.

Originality/value

Although CSR is viewed as a fundamental strategic priority driving firms to focus on shared value-creating products and services, how best a firm can integrate CSR into an existing business model is unclear. This gap is addressed in this current study.

中文翻译：

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日本跨国公司特定国家的 CSR 实践内部化和国际化

目的

应用主流的、以西方为中心的企业社会责任 (CSR) 理论来理解非西方起源的跨国公司的 CSR 实践似乎对 CSR 理论和实践存在问题。本研究的目的是批判性地分析一家日本跨国公司的 CSR 整合历程，以期了解全球商业环境中的 CSR 整合。

设计/方法/方法

本研究采用定性研究方法，采用单一案例研究方法，在现实生活背景下调查当代现象。与日本和主流企业社会责任话语交织的企业社会责任整合的七种模式的理论镜头被用来理解内部化和国际化过程。

发现

主要发现分为四个主题：呼吁企业社会责任的产品危害危机、企业社会责任治理和自下而上的举措、面向循环利用的企业社会责任和产品设计、在全球市场上并存的日本企业社会责任。企业在国内市场实践的外部不匹配可能导致通过企业社会责任整合将特定国家的企业社会责任内部化，从而使特定国家的企业社会责任实践成功国际化。

研究限制/影响

针对特定国家/地区的 CSR 整合遵循特定环境的惯例和实践；由于公司运营的国际化，这一过程可以通过盛行的国际企业社会责任话语来塑造和重塑。

原创性/价值

尽管企业社会责任被视为推动公司专注于共享创造价值的产品和服务的基本战略优先事项，但公司如何才能最好地将企业社会责任整合到现有的商业模式中尚不清楚。目前的研究解决了这一差距。