RSE : Diversité Internationale
Synthèse :
“The Confucius Roots of Business kyosei”. Broadman and Kato, 2005.

The concept of Kyosei was first used in science, before being applied to describe the business environment. It is also referred to as shuchu kiyaku. It means not only for one’s own benefits but also for the benefits of others. The concept endorses a macro view of business ethics and corporate responsibility.
While Buddhism has gained wide acceptance amongst the Japanese population and leaders around the 6th century; Confucianism, which was introduced at the same time, only emerged in Japan from the 13th century, being incorporated in Buddhist thoughts.

Neo-Confucianism emerged in Japan at the beginning of the 6th Century. It defers from ancient Confucianism in that it incorporates business activities within the Confucian thoughts. Business activities are seen to have a positive impact on society, as long as the Confucian doctrine is incorporated (Fujiwara) within its practice. A set of codes was later written by Fujiwara as to guide a family business’ practices in international trade. This set is known as the “shuchu kiyaku”, and is considered to be one of the main links in the path from Confucianism to kyosei.
It is then demonstrated that the “shuchu kiyaku” has been inspired by Confucian texts.
Kyosei corresponds to an extension of the “shuchu kiyaku”, with more reference to the Confucian philosophy, and applied to the modern world.
It emerged in Japanese companies in the 1980s, within a rough business climate. And is ultimately being partially adopted by the Western countries’ (Europe, USA) business leaders.
Rather than an alternative to the Western countries’ CSR model, it can be a complement to it and appears to be so, as the Caux Round Table