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Corporate Social Responsibility in Thailand: Analyzing the Application of the Buddhist Principles

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Corporate Social Responsibility and the Three Sectors in Asia

Part of the book series: Nonprofit and Civil Society Studies ((NCSS))

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the application of Buddhist principles to corporate social responsibility. It seeks to determine what major Buddhist principles might have shaped, did shape, or would help shape corporate social responsibility in Thailand . In so doing, it also studies the main features and extent to which they are applied to corporate social responsibility in certain selected sectors in Thailand. This study is based on information and data obtained from the review and analysis of research reports, journal articles, books, and two exemplary case studies showing the extent and ways in which Dhamma principles are practiced in corporate social responsibility. The findings of this study suggests that unlike in western societies—where social responsibility is something business entities invent and practice subject to business interests and choice and not necessarily related to spirituality—Buddhist social responsibility is a value system that entails inseparable spiritual/religious, moral, social, economic, and political order. Although Buddhism has immense potential, these resources are yet to be explored and integrated in a wide range of areas for example addressing inequality, good governance, accountability, transparency, respect for human rights, and corruption.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Philanthropy and Civil Society, National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok, Thailand

    Oscar S. Mmbali & Dhriwit Assawasirisilp

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  1. Oscar S. Mmbali
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  2. Dhriwit Assawasirisilp
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Correspondence to Oscar S. Mmbali .

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  1. United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

    Samiul Hasan

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Mmbali, O.S., Assawasirisilp, D. (2017). Corporate Social Responsibility in Thailand: Analyzing the Application of the Buddhist Principles. In: Hasan, S. (eds) Corporate Social Responsibility and the Three Sectors in Asia. Nonprofit and Civil Society Studies. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6915-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6915-9_6

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