4 'philosophies' or strategies of social responsiveness (Carroll 1979) his refers to the capacity of the corporation to respond to social pressure, and the manner in which it does so.

Carroll suggests four possible strategies: reaction, defence, accommodation and proaction.

Reaction

The corporation denies any responsibility for social issues.

Defence

The corporation admits responsibility but fights it, doing the very least that seems to be required.

Accommodation

The corporation accepts responsibility and does what is demanded of it by relevant groups.

Proaction

The corporation seeks to go beyond industry norms.

Assignment Topic: Strategies of social responsiveness

Textbook: business ethics, 3rd edition by Andrew Crane and Dirk Matten

Chapter: Framing business ethics

Content Writing Instructions

a. Select a case study on a company under each strategy.

b. It has to be a case about a company whose actions allegedly had negative health,

environmental or social impacts.

c. This is why the company was either sued by an individual or a group of persons or an

institution at some point or allegations were made against the company by pressure groups

(i.e. NGOs, activist groups).

d. Connect the case with appropriate theoretical discussion. Explain why you think the

case Oits into the strategy you selected

e. Do you agree with the company's response to the criticism or do you think they should

have adopted a different strategy? Justify your answer.

Pointers/Tips

Look up pharmaceutical companies, food and beverage companies for negative health impact.

Look up labor intensive industries for negative social impact such as workers' rights violation.

For example, garment and textile companies. Look up companies with manufacturing

processes emitting harmful toxic chemicals into the environment. There should be enough no

of Indian cases available online as Indian NGOs and other pressure groups are very active.