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Business Ethics and Internal Social Criticism

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  • Sonenshein, Scott

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present an understanding of business ethics based on a theory of internal social criticism. Internal social criticism focuses on how members of a business organization debate the meanings of their shared traditions for the purpose of locating and correcting hypocrisy. Organizations have thick moral cultures that allow them to be self-governing moral communities. By considering organizations as interpretive moral communities, I challenge the conventional notion that moral criticism is based primarily on exogenous moral principles delivered by outside critics. I describe an interpretive process of business ethics and develop a theoretical model of internal social criticism. I also propose that organizational identification serves as a mechanism for inducing ethical behavior. I conclude by calling for more research that understands the development and use of existing moral principles inside of organizations.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonenshein, Scott, 2005. "Business Ethics and Internal Social Criticism," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 475-498, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:buetqu:v:15:y:2005:i:03:p:475-498_01
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    Cited by:

    1. Alpaslan, Can M. & Mitroff, Ian I., 2021. "Exploring the moral foundations of crisis management," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    2. Andrew C. Wicks & Patricia H. Werhane & Heather Elms & John Nolan, 2021. "Spheres of Influence: A Walzerian Approach to Business Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(1), pages 1-14, November.

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