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“Human Quality Treatment”: Five Organizational Levels

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  • Domènec Melé

Abstract

Quality is commonly applied to products and processes, but we can also define human quality in dealing with people. This requires first establishing what treatment is appropriate to the human condition. Through an inquiry into the characteristics that define the human being and what ethical requirements constitute a good treatment, we define “Human Quality Treatment” (HQT) as dealing with persons in a way appropriate to the human condition, which entails acting with respect for their human dignity and rights, caring for their problems and legitimate interests, and fostering their personal development. With this in mind, we can distinguish between five different levels or degrees of HQT in organizations which can be characterized by the following terms: (1) maltreatment (blatant injustice through abuse of power or mistreatment), (2) indifference (disrespectful treatment through lack of recognition of people’s personhood and concern), (3) justice (respect for persons and their rights), (4) care (concern for people’s legitimate interests and support for them in resolving their problems), and (5) development (favoring human flourishing, mutual esteem, and friendship-based reciprocity). Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

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  • Domènec Melé, 2014. "“Human Quality Treatment”: Five Organizational Levels," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 120(4), pages 457-471, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:120:y:2014:i:4:p:457-471
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1999-1
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