A holistic perspective on corporate sustainability from a management viewpoint: Evidence from Japanese manufacturing multinational enterprises

摘要: Abstract This study investigates what issues are considered by Japanese manufacturing multinational enterprises to be related corporate sustainability when deciding on the location or significant expansion of their subsidiaries. Focusing developing countries Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam where there activities in an environmentally sensitive region, in-depth interviews were carried out with 58 representatives from 16 enterprises. Results identify that these four main issue areas including environment (waste material/water; air pollution; water supply; noise; green procurement), host country employment (size workforce; above minimum wages; rights association; women employment/empowerment; worker safety), workforce quality (experience/training; local employment) consumer benefits (product benefits/impact lifestyle) as being beyond purely commercial drivers. Host regulations had a notable impact enterprises, although some voluntarily moved was required albeit minimal way. These findings address paucity studies examining holistic perspective sustainability, previous research multinationals tending adopt anthropocentric focus. In doing so, greater insight into enterprises’ viewpoint, this has important implications informing governments policies ensure relevant included.