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Human Dignity-Centered Business Ethics: A Conceptual Framework for Business Leaders

Author

Listed:
  • William J. Mea

    (U.S. Office of Management & Budget
    Georgetown University)

  • Ronald R. Sims

    (College of William and Mary)

Abstract

This paper is a contribution to the discussion of how religious perspectives can improve business ethics. Two such perspectives are in natural law of antiquity and recent Catholic social doctrine and teaching (CSD/T). This paper develops a conceptual framework from natural law and CSD/T that business leaders can adopt to build an ethos of humanistic management. This “Human Dignity-Centered” framework fills the gap between time-tested Christian norms and contemporary firm-leaders’ concrete needs. “Human dignity” is used as a rhetorical device to convey the idea that firms are composed of dynamic social networks, with an ultimate purpose of serving human needs. Ultimately, the principles and virtues the framework employs have a logic that should inspire excellence, as ethical practices and concern for human welfare lay a foundation for long-term business prosperity. In a one-frame visual representation, this paper portrays: firm leadership challenges; a transforming ethical prism of principles and virtues; and results and feedback mechanisms. The accompanying narrative describes each element and how each affects humanistic management. Finally, illustrative company examples and questions are provided to illustrate how the framework can be used to benefit human flourishing. The framework provides an adjunct to current formulations of improving managerial excellence.

Suggested Citation

  • William J. Mea & Ronald R. Sims, 2019. "Human Dignity-Centered Business Ethics: A Conceptual Framework for Business Leaders," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 53-69, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:160:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-018-3929-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-3929-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sison, Alejo José G. & Ferrero, Ignacio & Guitián, Gregorio, 2016. "Human Dignity and The Dignity of Work: Insights from Catholic Social Teaching," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 26(4), pages 503-528, October.
    2. Natàlia Cugueró-Escofet & Marion Fortin, 2014. "One Justice or Two? A Model of Reconciliation of Normative Justice Theories and Empirical Research on Organizational Justice," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 124(3), pages 435-451, October.
    3. Domènec Melé & Joan Fontrodona, 2017. "Christian Ethics and Spirituality in Leading Business Organizations: Editorial Introduction," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 145(4), pages 671-679, November.
    4. Pirson, Michael & Goodpaster, Kenneth & Dierksmeier, Claus, 2016. "Guest Editors’ Introduction: Human Dignity and Business," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 26(4), pages 465-478, October.
    5. David Mattson & Susan Clark, 2011. "Human dignity in concept and practice," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 44(4), pages 303-319, November.
    6. Dierksmeier, Claus & Celano, Anthony, 2012. "Thomas Aquinas on Justice as a Global Virtue in Business," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(2), pages 247-272, April.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Chan, Christopher & Ananthram, Subramaniam & Thaker, Keyur & Liu, Yi, 2022. "Do religiosity and ethical principles influence ethical decision-making in a multi-faith context? Evidence from India," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 772-785.
    3. Jacqueline Tilton & Kristen Lucas & Jennifer J. Kish-Gephart & Justin K. Kent, 2024. "Enduring, Strategizing, and Rising Above: Workplace Dignity Threats and Responses Across Job Levels," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 195(2), pages 353-374, November.
    4. Yuka Fujimoto & Jasim Uddin, 2022. "Inclusive Leadership for Reduced Inequality: Economic–Social–Economic Cycle of Inclusion," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 181(3), pages 563-582, December.
    5. Kumar, Satish & Sahoo, Saumyaranjan & Lim, Weng Marc & Dana, Léo-Paul, 2022. "Religion as a social shaping force in entrepreneurship and business: Insights from a technology-empowered systematic literature review," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    6. Gregorio Guitián & Alejo José G. Sison, 2023. "Offshore Outsourcing from a Catholic Social Teaching Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 185(3), pages 595-609, July.

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