"Caux Round Table: Principles for Business, 1994" [2005] ELECD 339; in Tully, Stephen (ed), "International Documents on Corporate Responsibility" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005)

Book Title: International Documents on Corporate Responsibility

Editor(s): Tully, Stephen

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781843768197

Section: Chapter 116

Section Title: Caux Round Table: Principles for Business, 1994

Number of pages: 5

Extract:

116. Caux Round Table: Principles for Business,
1994

Commentary: Established in 1986, the Caux Round Table (CRT,
www.cauxroundtable.org) consists of European, Japanese and American business
leaders `committed to energizing the role of business and industry as a vital force for
innovative global change'. Corporate responsibility is considered to be an important
mechanism for reducing social and economic threats to world peace and stability.
Drawing upon the Minnesota Principles (a statement of business behaviour formu-
lated by the Minnesota Center for Corporate Responsibility), the CRT Principles
embody principled business leadership. They seek to measure corporate behaviour
against two ethical principles: living and working together for the common good
(kyosei) and human dignity.



Introduction
The Caux Round Table believes that the world business community should play an impor-
tant role in improving economic and social conditions. As a statement of aspirations, this
document aims to express a world standard against which business behaviour can be
measured. We seek to begin a process that identifies shared values, reconciles differing
values, and thereby develops a shared perspective on business behaviour acceptable to and
honoured by all.
These principles are rooted in two basic ethical ideals: kyosei and human dignity. The
Japanese concept of kyosei means living and working together for the common good
enabling cooperation and mutual prosperity to coexist with healthy and fair competition.
`Human dignity' refers to the sacredness or value of each person as an end, not simply as
a means to the fulfilment of others' purposes or even ...