Ethics Problems and Problems with Ethics: Toward a Pro-Management Theory |
| |
Authors: | Lex Donaldson |
| |
Institution: | (1) Faculty of Business, University of New South Wales, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia |
| |
Abstract: | The move towards having more teaching of business ethics comes in part from a tendency to view managers negatively, drawing
on anti-management theories that are presently popular in business schools. This can lead to a misdiagnosis of the causes
of contemporary business problems. Teaching business ethics can, however, be ineffectual and counter-productive. Education
in ethical philosophy can lead managers to be indecisive, sceptical or to rationalize poor conduct. The ethics of academics
become salient and lapses in them undercut their claims to authority. The philosophical viewpoint that stresses free choice
runs contrary to the social science mission to reveal the causes that determine human behaviour and provide solutions to problems.
Pro-management theory offers a more positive appreciation of managers, with its three components of structural functionalism,
strategic functionalism and stewardship.
Lex Donaldson is Professor of Management in Organizational Design in the Faculty of Business of the University of New South
Wales, Sydney, Australia. He has a PhD from the University of London. He is the author of seven books on organizational theory,
organizational structure and management. In addition, he has written numerous articles and chapters. His articles have appeared
in journals such as Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Learning and Education, Academy of Management Review, Administrative
Science Quarterly, Journal of Management Studies, Organizational Dynamics, Organization Science and Organization Studies. |
| |
Keywords: | anti-management theories business ethics ethical dilemmas ethical philosophy free choice misdiagnosis problems with ethics pro-management theory rationalizing unethical behaviour stewardship structural functionalism unethical academics |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|