We live in a 'bimoral' society, in which people govern their lives by
two contrasting sets of principles. On the one hand there are the
principles associated with traditional morality. Although these allow
a modicum of self-interest, their emphasis is on our duties and
obligations to others: to treat people honestly and with respect, to
treat them fairly and without prejudice, to help and care for them
when needed, and ultimately, to put their needs above our own. On the
other hand there are the principles associated with the
entrepreneurial self-interest. These also impose obligations, but of a
much more limited kind. Their emphasis is competitive rather than
cooperative: to advance our own interests rather than to meet the
needs of others. Both sets of principles have always been present in
society but in recent years traditional moral authorities have lost
much of their force and the morality of self-interest has acquired a
much greater social legitimacy, over a much wider field of behaviour,
than ever before. The result of this is that in many situations it is
no longer at all apparent which set of principles should take
precedence. In this book John Hendry traces the cultural and
historical origins of the 'bimoral' society and explores the
challenges it poses for the world of business and management. The
developments that have led to the 'bimoral' society have also led to
new, more flexible forms of organizing, which have released people's
entrepreneurial energies and significantly enhanced the creative
capacities of business. Working within these organizations, however,
is fraught with moral tensions as obligations and self-interest
conflict and managers are pulled in all sorts of different directions.
Managing them successfully poses major new challenges of leadership,
and 'moral' management, as the technical problem-solving that
previously characterised managerial work is increasingly accomplished
by technology and market mechanisms. The key role of management
becomes the political and moral one of determining purposes and
priorities, reconciling divergent interests, and nurturing trust in
interpersonal relationships. Exploring these tensions and challenges,
Hendry identifies new issues for contemporary management and puts
recognized issues into context. He also explores the challenges posed
for a post-traditional society as it seeks to regulate and govern an
increasingly powerful and global business sector.
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Business and Management in a Bimoral Society
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780191533112
Publisert
2020
Utgiver
Oxford University Press Academic UK
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter