Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Practice Test

The focus of the Age of Greed within Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is associated with defensive CSR. This period reflects a time in which companies primarily engage in CSR activities as a response to external pressures or threats, rather than as a proactive approach to societal welfare or environmental sustainability. Defensive CSR often stems from a desire to protect the company’s reputation, manage risks, or comply with regulations due to public scrutiny or criticism. In the context of the Age of Greed, businesses might implement CSR initiatives as a form of damage control or to alleviate negative perceptions that arise from profit-driven practices. This reactive posture signifies that CSR efforts are not fully aligned with a genuine commitment to social or environmental issues but rather motivated by the need to mitigate potential backlash or maintain profitability. The other options do not encapsulate this defensive stance. Strategic CSR involves integrating social impact into core business strategies for mutual benefit, charitable CSR focuses on philanthropic efforts without necessarily aligning with business practices, and systematic CSR emphasizes long-term sustainability and systemic change rather than merely reacting to external pressures. Hence, defensive CSR most accurately captures the essence of the Age of Greed within the framework of CSR.