Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a major aspect of corporate strategic planning and corporate policy in recent years due to economic globalization and related integration of international markets. Originally a concept most frequently associated with Anglo-American multinational corporations, the CSR concept is now being discussed and implemented by firms all over the globe. Moreover, through supply chains in an increasingly globalizing economy, CSR policies are no longer an element of large-scale international corporations, but have also been increasingly integrated into the strategies of smaller and domestically-oriented firms.

Against this background the Japanese-German Center Berlin (JDZB) and the Institute of East Asian Affairs at the Free University Berlin are organising this conference.
It will address two key aspects in current Japanese and German CSR debates. First, we will analyze CSR activities in both Germany and Japan. Special attention will be given to economic driving forces such as CSR rankings and ratings and how they compare with the practice in the US and UK. Second, we will look into the effects of the economic crisis on CSR activities and policies.

The conference will be held in English.