Top Management Forum: Corporate Social Responsibility
28 February – 3 March 2005, Tokyo, Japan

Mr. Sawama, President, Japan Productivity Center for Socio-Economic Development,

Ladies and gentlemen:

On behalf of the Asian Productivity Organization, I would like to welcome you all to this Top Management Forum. During its long history of 21 years, the Forum has covered a wide range of topics, including information technology, Green Productivity, knowledge management, corporate governance and corporate strategic alliances.

The theme of this year’s forum is corporate social responsibility (CSR), which is becoming one of the most important topics in corporate management to increase productivity and strengthen competitiveness, so much so that the ISO is now moving to make international standard of CSR. 

Nowadays, businesses are expected to extend their attention beyond stockholders, customers, and employees to include other stakeholders such as the community and environment. The concept of CSR emerged from such expectation and now consists of transparent organizational management; careful consideration of the global environment, human rights, and employment; and, in particular, compliance with ordinances, regulations, and laws.

Broadly defined as a “responsibility for business corporations to observe the social rules and contribute to the society within their scope,” CSR can lead to more sustainable corporations by encouraging good relationships with society. Although it appears natural to expect corporations to conduct business in a manner that would maintain good relations with various stakeholders and would improve the environment, it is not easy for all to achieve the required level of CSR. This forum will hear the experiences of some companies that have been successful in that endeavor and of another that have not.

Establishing CSR is not a simple task, nor is it free from risks and problems. CSR requires support not only from the shareholders and investors but also from customers, employees, and communities. One conclusion drawn from both successful and failed cases of attempt to achieve CSR is that top management must have a strong belief in the role of CSR within its organization. A lack of such belief often has led corporations to lose the brand value and good corporate image built up over many years. Then every bankruptcy may be in sight.

Establishing sound CSR systems takes the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, such as workers, customers, and shareholders as well as the community. Workers’ rights had to be respected, and  customers’ needs had to be satisfied. Shareholders dividends must be guaranteed and the community must be convinced of the merit of the corporate activity. CSR weighs all these divergent interests and tries to strike an appropriate balance among them. I hope that this year’s forum will provide you with opportunities to study CSR so that your corporation can achieve long-term higher productivity and competitiveness.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the distinguished speakers who have kindly agreed to share their experience on CSR. We are fortunate to have Professor Iwao Taka of Reitaku University as a keynote speaker and Mr. Suzuki from the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry as a special speaker. Professor Taka’s book entitled CSR—How Corporate Value Can Be Enhanced, describes CSR from the viewpoints of employees, customers, and investors, and he also discusses visible and invisible corporate values, reminding us that the issue of CSR is relevant to all countries, developed or developing.

I also wish to express our thanks to the Japanese government for financial support and to the Japan Productivity Center for Socio-Economic Development for its implementation. The Japan Productivity Center for Socio-Economic Development is going to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its foundation tomorrow and I am grateful that all the APO participants are invited to the ceremony to witness this historic occasion.

Finally, I hope that you will take this opportunity to explore the city of Tokyo, the Japanese capital. I wish you fruitful deliberations and an enjoyable stay in Tokyo.

Thank you.

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