ORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IS BECOMING A HUGE ISSUE IN ASIA. THIS IS NOT SURPRISING,
given that Asia is fast becoming the manufacturing workshop of the world. China is now the world's second largest importer of oil and makes 70% of all kitchen appliances and 50% of the world's toys and clothes. Together with their other Asian neighbours we find 75% of footwear, 90% of sports good and 80% of all ceramics being produced. Currently, of the world's five fastest growing economies, all are to be found in Asia. Unless, therefore, we begin to tackle what is happening in this region, no amount of environmental protection in Europe and North America is going to save us from a massive environmental crisis.
The vast majority of the supply chains of big brand goods are also to be found in Asia, and companies such as Nike, Adidas, Mattel and others have often been the focus of the anti-sweatshop movement. Such brands, in most cases, are pushing best practices down through the supply chain. It is the second tier of not so well known companies sourcing products based on price considerations alone that is still creating problems, however. In Asia we find poor wages, wages being paid late, poor health and safety and numerous health issues caused by a poor environment. Child labour, bonded labour and forced labour are still prevalent in some countries in the region.
If one thinks about corporate social responsibility and environmental management in a world of globalization, one is therefore forced to think about Asia. With this in mind, we are very pleased to be introducing a regular Asian section into this journal. New content focussing on CSR in Asia will appear in every issue of this publication (except special issues), providing readers with new material to help in both research and educational activities.
The new section of the journal will be produced in association with the Asian-based think tank CSR Asia. You can see their activities on their website which is updated daily (www.csr-asia.com). Together we will be providing traditional refereed articles with an Asian focus (the first one in this issue examines environmental reporting and disclosure in Hong Kong).
In addition, we are providing readers with practical case studies based on real events in Asia. In this issue the case study concerns the Newmont Mining Corporation's activities in Indonesia. This is a fascinating case since it starts with allegations of illegal polluting against the company, but involves possible corruption of government officials, accusations of graft against local NGOs and the imprisonment of the company's executives in Indonesia. The case is designed to be used with students in three parts.
We are also going to include a quarterly news update in the journal that will keep you up to date with some of the big issues arising in Asia with respect to CSR. This is an exciting new development for the journal and provides readers with a new focus that will not be found elsewhere. Of course we are always happy to receive other articles on corporate social responsibility and environmental management issues from around the world. We plan even more developments and innovations for the journal next year. Watch this space.