IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/jbuset/v188y2023i1d10.1007_s10551-023-05326-y.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Virtuousness of Ethical Networks: How to Foster Virtuous Practices in Nonprofit Organizations

Author

Listed:
  • Giorgio Mion

    (University of Verona)

  • Vania Vigolo

    (University of Verona)

  • Angelo Bonfanti

    (University of Verona)

  • Riccardo Tessari

    (University of Verona)

Abstract

Ethical networks are an emerging form of social alliance based on collaboration between organizations that share a common ethical commitment. Grounded in a theoretical framework of virtue-based business ethics and focusing on nonprofit alliances, this study investigates the virtuousness of ethical networks; that is, how they trigger virtuous practices in their member nonprofit organizations. Adopting a qualitative grounded theory approach, the study focuses on one of the largest Italian ethical networks of nonprofit organizations operating in the social care sector. The findings show that shared ethical values and religious beliefs are positively associated with ethical network building. Based on these findings, a circular model of virtuousness is proposed in which ethical networks foster virtuous practices among their members at four levels: (1) the strategic orientation level, (2) the institutional level, (3) the organizational level, and (4) the relational level. At each of these levels, ethical networks foster a habituation to virtues and the propagation of virtuous behaviors among their members. Theoretical, practical, and social implications of the research findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgio Mion & Vania Vigolo & Angelo Bonfanti & Riccardo Tessari, 2023. "The Virtuousness of Ethical Networks: How to Foster Virtuous Practices in Nonprofit Organizations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(1), pages 107-123, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:188:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-023-05326-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-023-05326-y
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10551-023-05326-y
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10551-023-05326-y?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Giorgio Mion & Angelo Bonfanti & Francesca Simeoni & Cristian R. Loza Adaui, 2021. "Rethinking occupational welfare policies in long-term care organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic: an organisational ethics approach," International Journal of Managerial and Financial Accounting, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 13(1), pages 48-63.
    2. Rebecca L. Sandefur & Edward O. Laumann, 1998. "A Paradigm For Social Capital," Rationality and Society, , vol. 10(4), pages 481-501, November.
    3. Elisa Giuliani & Annamaria Tuan & José Calvimontes Cano, 2021. "Creating Shared Value Meets Human Rights: A Sense-Making Perspective in Small-Scale Firms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 173(3), pages 489-505, October.
    4. Beabout, Gregory R., 2012. "Management as a Domain-Relative Practice that Requires and Develops Practical Wisdom," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(2), pages 405-432, April.
    5. Adele Santana & Antonino Vaccaro & Donna Wood, 2009. "Ethics and the Networked Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 90(4), pages 661-681, December.
    6. Alejo Sison & Joan Fontrodona, 2013. "Participating in the Common Good of the Firm," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 113(4), pages 611-625, April.
    7. Rosaria Burchielli & Annie Delaney & Jane Tate & Kylie Coventry, 2009. "The FairWear Campaign: An Ethical Network in the Australian Garment Industry," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 90(4), pages 575-588, December.
    8. Gordon Liu & Wai Wai Ko & Chris Chapleo, 2018. "How and When Socially Entrepreneurial Nonprofit Organizations Benefit From Adopting Social Alliance Management Routines to Manage Social Alliances?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 151(2), pages 497-516, August.
    9. David Bright & Bradley Winn & Jason Kanov, 2014. "Reconsidering Virtue: Differences of Perspective in Virtue Ethics and the Positive Social Sciences," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 119(4), pages 445-460, February.
    10. Ali Intezari & David Pauleen, 2014. "Management Wisdom in Perspective: Are You Virtuous Enough to Succeed in Volatile Times?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 393-404, March.
    11. Tahiru Azaaviele Liedong, 2021. "Responsible Firm Behaviour in Political Markets: Judging the Ethicality of Corporate Political Activity in Weak Institutional Environments," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 172(2), pages 325-345, August.
    12. Moore, Geoff, 2012. "The Virtue of Governance, the Governance of Virtue," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(2), pages 293-318, April.
    13. Mary Crossan & Daina Mazutis & Gerard Seijts, 2013. "In Search of Virtue: The Role of Virtues, Values and Character Strengths in Ethical Decision Making," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 113(4), pages 567-581, April.
    14. Mario Fernando & Geoff Moore, 2015. "MacIntyrean Virtue Ethics in Business: A Cross-Cultural Comparison," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 132(1), pages 185-202, November.
    15. Luciano Floridi, 2009. "Network Ethics: Information and Business Ethics in a Networked Society," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 90(4), pages 649-659, December.
    16. Aoife Brophy Haney, 2017. "Threat Interpretation and Innovation in the Context of Climate Change: An Ethical Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 143(2), pages 261-276, June.
    17. Antonino Vaccaro, 2012. "To Pay or Not to Pay? Dynamic Transparency and the Fight Against the Mafia’s Extortionists," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 106(1), pages 23-35, March.
    18. Audi, Robert, 2012. "Virtue Ethics as a Resource in Business," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 22(2), pages 273-291, April.
    19. Alma Acevedo, 2012. "Personalist Business Ethics and Humanistic Management: Insights from Jacques Maritain," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 105(2), pages 197-219, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sandrine Frémeaux, 2020. "A Common Good Perspective on Diversity," Post-Print hal-03232779, HAL.
    2. David Dawson, 2018. "Organisational Virtue, Moral Attentiveness, and the Perceived Role of Ethics and Social Responsibility in Business: The Case of UK HR Practitioners," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(4), pages 765-781, April.
    3. Christopher Chan & Subramaniam Ananthram, 2019. "Religion-Based Decision Making in Indian Multinationals: A Multi-faith Study of Ethical Virtues and Mindsets," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 156(3), pages 651-677, May.
    4. Claudius Bachmann & Laura Sasse & Andre Habisch, 2018. "Applying the Practical Wisdom Lenses in Decision-Making: An Integrative Approach to Humanistic Management," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 2(2), pages 125-150, February.
    5. Brenda Nguyen & Mary Crossan, 2022. "Character-Infused Ethical Decision Making," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 178(1), pages 171-191, June.
    6. David Dawson, 2018. "Measuring Individuals’ Virtues in Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 147(4), pages 793-805, February.
    7. Matthew Sinnicks, 2021. "“We Ought to Eat in Order to Work, Not Vice Versa”: MacIntyre, Practices, and the Best Work for Humankind," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 174(2), pages 263-274, November.
    8. Claudius Bachmann & André Habisch & Claus Dierksmeier, 2018. "Practical Wisdom: Management’s No Longer Forgotten Virtue," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(1), pages 147-165, November.
    9. Surendra Arjoon & Alvaro Turriago-Hoyos & Ulf Thoene, 2018. "Virtuousness and the Common Good as a Conceptual Framework for Harmonizing the Goals of the Individual, Organizations, and the Economy," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 147(1), pages 143-163, January.
    10. Kevin Morrell & Stephen Brammer, 2016. "Governance and Virtue: The Case of Public Order Policing," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 136(2), pages 385-398, June.
    11. Patricia Grant & Surendra Arjoon & Peter McGhee, 2018. "In Pursuit of Eudaimonia: How Virtue Ethics Captures the Self-Understandings and Roles of Corporate Directors," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(2), pages 389-406, December.
    12. Martin Schlag & Domènec Melé, 2020. "Building Institutions for the Common Good. The Practice and Purpose of Business in an Inclusive Economy," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 1-6, July.
    13. Rafael Morales-Sánchez & Carmen Cabello-Medina, 2013. "The Role of Four Universal Moral Competencies in Ethical Decision-Making," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 116(4), pages 717-734, September.
    14. Sandrine Frémeaux & Thibaut Bardon & Clara Letierce, 2020. "How To Be a ‘Wise’ Researcher: Learning from the Aristotelian Approach to Practical Wisdom," Post-Print hal-03232780, HAL.
    15. Caleb Bernacchio, 2021. "Virtue Beyond Contract: A MacIntyrean Approach to Employee Rights," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 171(2), pages 227-240, June.
    16. Antonino Vaccaro & Alejo Sison, 2011. "Transparency in Business: The Perspective of Catholic Social Teaching and the “Caritas in Veritate”," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 100(1), pages 17-27, March.
    17. Sandrine Frémeaux & Anouk Grevin & Roberta Sferrazzo, 2023. "Developing a Culture of Solidarity Through a Three-Step Virtuous Process: Lessons from Common Good-Oriented Organizations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 188(1), pages 89-105, November.
    18. Steven Steyl, 2020. "Aristotelian Practical Wisdom in Business Ethics: Two Neglected Components," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 163(3), pages 417-428, May.
    19. Frémeaux, Sandrine & Puyou, François-Régis & Michelson, Grant, 2020. "Beyond accountants as technocrats: A common good perspective," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 67.
    20. Yun Liu & Greg. G. Wang & Yu Chen, 2019. "Why Are Corporations Willing to Take on Public CSR? An Organizational Traits Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-16, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:188:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-023-05326-y. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.