Traditional Chinese Culture Approach to Corporate Social Responsibility

In this study, we adopt case studies of four local corporations in China to explore how traditional Chinese culture (TCC) influences corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a more systematic and in-depth approach. We collected both archival data and first-hand data via 14 in-depth interviews in 2021. The findings extend the roles of TCC in CSR — ‘harmony’, ‘holism and balance’ and ‘detrimental’, uncover Mohist harmony and Confucianism—Legalism balance. Besides, the relationships between TCC and CSR are affected by leadership, corporate culture, human resource management and employee’s engagement. This study enriches the research on management, CSR and culture by connecting ancient wisdom that has guided generations over thousands of years to contemporary issues of business ethics. We provide some managerial implications for CSR practitioners in the Greater China area and East Asia that are deeply rooted in TCC.