The Ages and Stages of CSR:
From Defensive to Transformative Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility
Article by Wayne Visser
I have found it useful to view the evolution of business responsibility in terms of five overlapping economic periods:
- The Age of Greed;
- The Age of Philanthropy;
- The Age of Marketing;
- The Age of Management; and
- The Age of Responsibility
Each of which typically manifests a different stage of CSR, namely:
- Defensive CSR;
- Charitable CSR;
- Promotional CSR;
- Strategic CSR; and
- Transformative CSR.
My contention is that companies tend to move through these ages and stages (although they may have activities in several ages and stages at once), and that we should be encouraging business to make the transition to Transformative CSR in the dawning Age of Responsibility. If companies remain stuck in any of the first four stages, I don’t believe we will turn the tide on the environmental, social and ethical crises that we face. Simply put, CSR will continue to fail …
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Cite this article
Visser, W. (2010) The Ages and Stages of CSR: From Defensive to Systemic Corporate Sustainability and Responsibility, CSR International Inspiration Series, No. 8.
