Comparative case analysis – CSR education practices in Japan, Malaysia and Singapore

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of cultural dimensions, stakeholder engagement and policy support on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) education in Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, specifically within higher education systems. Design/methodology/approach Using secondary data from 26 universities, this research synthesizes insights from academic literature, government reports and global CSR frameworks, focusing on cultural dimensions, CSR practices, stakeholder involvement, policy support and effectiveness. Through thematic analysis and structural equation modeling, this study explores how cultural factors interact with global frameworks to impact CSR initiative effectiveness. Findings The findings of this study indicate that cultural dimensions significantly affect the design and acceptance of CSR education, with Japan integrating strong cultural values, Singapore showcasing global adaptability and Malaysia focusing on inclusivity. Stakeholder engagement is found to enhance and sometimes conflict with CSR educational strategies, while policy support and global frameworks exhibit minimal moderating effects, indicating practical implementation gaps. Research limitations/implications This research advances theoretical applications like Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and Stakeholder Theory to CSR education, offering new insights for aligning CSR education with local cultural values and global sustainability goals, thereby addressing a significant gap in existing literature. Originality/value This study uniquely applies Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and Stakeholder Theory to CSR education within higher education systems in Japan, Malaysia and Singapore – an area rarely explored. By combining thematic analysis with structural equation modeling, it reveals how cultural context significantly shapes CSR education effectiveness, while global frameworks and policy support show limited influence. This research addresses a critical gap by linking cultural values with practical CSR implementation in schools, offering valuable insights for aligning local education with global sustainability goals.