Complete the CSR Module “Lesson 1:  What is CSR? Two Opposing View Points” from Penn state at:  https://pagecentertraining.psu.edu/public-relations-ethics/corporate-social-responsibility/lesson-1-what-is-csr-two-opposing-views/.   (Links to an external site.)

Note:  For those of you who have taken BA 521, this assignment will be a bit of a review as not everyone has had BA 521.  The rest of the course will diverge from BA 521.

You can also review the associated PPT :  

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Upon completing the module, provide short answer responses to each of the following questions.  Maximum 2-page single, spaced.

  1. What is the purpose of the for-profit firm? What value does it create for society?
  2. What is the relationship between a firm and the societies in which it operates?
  3. What responsibility does a firm owe society to self-regulate its actions in pursuit of profit?
  4. Define corporate social responsibility. What arguments in favor of CSR seem most important to you? How is CSR different from strategic CSR?
  5. What are the four responsibilities of a firm outlined in Archie Carroll’s pyramid of CSR model? Illustrate your definitions of each level with corporate examples.
  6. What extent does a business have an obligation to re-pay the debt it owes society for its continued business success?
  7. Milton Friedman argued that “few trends could so thoroughly undermine the very foundations of our free society as the acceptance by corporate officials of a social responsibility other than to make as much money for their stockholders as possible.” What are two arguments in support of Friedman’s assertion and two against?
  8. What are the ethical, moral, rational, and economic arguments for CSR? Define and discuss each one briefly.
  9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a firm incorporating as a benefit corporation? Is this new organizational form necessary? If you were starting a firm and you were in a state that allowed it, would you consider incorporating your firm as a benefit corporation?