Company background
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is the sixth largest automobile maker in Japan; it was founded in 1970 and is ranked 17th in the world motor vehicle industry by production (Mitsubishi Corporate website). The company has recognized the need to have good governance and good relations with stakeholder and the public.
Mitsubishi is respected for its strong corporate social responsibilities (CSR) policies and have the aim of building a prosperous and sustainable relationship with society. This paper gives an account of the CSR policies the company espouses.
Detail s of CSR policies of a Mitsubishi
The company established a full office to deal with corporate citizenship in April 2004; the office is called Corporate Citizenship Promotion Office: the office was given the mandate of enacting policies that the internal business a chance to improve its processes so as it reduces any adverse effect on the people. The office operates under an acronym called STEP, which means
S: Support for the next generation: the focus is on developing young people to improve their future
T: Traffic safety: the company has traffic rules training programs where it teaches drivers, potential drivers and schoolchildren on how to be safe; in line with safety, the company makes reliable vehicles
E: Environmental preservation; the company has embarked on some environmental conservation policies and activities
P: Participation in local communities: the company has resources set aside to address some needs in the community like health promotions, schools buildings and stocking, promotion of games among others.
The department internal policies include:
- Adopting fuel efficient production methods like use electricity instead of coal when heating, this is estimated to reduce its in factory emission by 20%
- A project to develop electric motor vehicles is in an advanced stage
- The company has embarked on improved technology on it vehicles to ensure that they are fuel efficient
How are these policies enacted?
The company internal department of corporate citizenship is responsible for looking at CSR policies; the section of business reports to a Business Ethics Committee, which among top management of the company also is composed of external experts in different areas like environmental conservations, ethical business and community development experts.
The success of the policies are evaluated by third parties who offer the management a review of the success of the programs; third parties undertake research on the environs and advices the company on the position it holds in the community as well as how it can improve and sustain relationship with societies.
Japanese environmental conservation department produces business statistics information; Mitsubishi has been honored as one of the most ethical business in the country, it is seen as a leader in sustainable business development.
Past successes
In October 2000, the European Union came up with recycling policies to be respected by the vehicle manufactures in the company, they were called ELV recycling policies, since then Mitsubishi Motors Europe (MME) and its subsidiaries are leaders in implementing the set strategies.
According to the ELV recycling strategy, companies could only be licensed to work in the larger European country if they complied with the set levels. Before a new model is registered for sale in either United Kingdom or France, it required to have at least 95% recyclable level.
In 2005, the company had targeted to reduce carbon emission from each car it produces with 20%; to reduce the emission, the company aimed at improving fuel efficiency in their cars. In line with the efficiency improving, the company targeted to have a full production of Electronic vehicles (EVs) and production of engines that can use fossil fuels; the move was thought to have a 50% reduction of emission in the company. The company has launched some EYs; currently the company is producing flexible-fuel vehicle and bio-ethanol cars, which have increased the perception that customers hold on its products.
Conservation of water is another move that the company has embarked on. According to the 2009 social corporate report, the company had managed to conserve and recycle 50% of the water it uses in its production (Mitsubishi Corporate website).
The company has received a number of praises from governmental and non-governmental organization; according to US Environmental Agency report of 2009, the company was setting pace to environmental conservation. According to the company’s environmental report 2009, Mitsubishi has reduced its water wastage by 50%; this is through recycling and proper water use.
The recycling is seen as a move to conserve the environment in line with EU environmental rules and Kyoto protocol. To address societal issues from a global angle, the company has developed EMVs (electronic motor vehicles); during a visit to the Okazaki district, corporate citizenship was praised for the efforts; it was seen as a fulfillment of Stockholm environmental conservation agreement fulfillment.
Locally the company embarks on various activities they include tree-planting programs, youth education (the education is on various issues like traffic rules, environmental conservations and entrepreneurship), health camps, scholarships and waste management programs.
Works Cited
Mitsubishi Corporate Website. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, 2011. Web: 30 Apr. 2010