When tobacco companies make a decision to follow laws regarding the marketing of its products in the United States but market its tobacco aggressively in countries without such regulations, this is an example of which approach to social responsibility?

The Defensive Approach

Explanation:

There are four basic approaches to social responsibility:

1. Obstructive

2. Defensive

3. Accommodating

4. Proactive

1. The obstructive method is where the company is not concerned about social responsibility at all. Profit is their main motive and when they are faced with any social obligation or have violated social rights, they may not only deny any wrongdoing but also make attempts to delay or divert investigations into their company.

2. Under the defensive approach, they follow rules and regulations to prevent any law suits or legal actions against them. However, if there are no laws present to stop them, they will not be reluctant to perform wrongdoings. This is the case in the example where since laws are present in the US, it is being followed but anywhere else, the company fails to refrain from causing harm.

3. Accommodating approach is whereby companies not only meet legal standards but also try to fulfill their ethical obligations. They are transparent about what the company does and why it takes certain measures.

4. A proactive company ensures to make social responsibility a priority, sometimes even sacrificing its profits in the process. It makes CSR practices a major part of its mission statement.