Humanistic Management PhD Reading Group: January 29 2019



Welcome to the Foundations in Humanistic Management Reading Group. We meet monthly to discuss significant papers on incorporating humanistic ideas such as dignity and well-being into management scholarship and practice, as well as classic works which have spoken to these concerns across the ages. This series is hosted by the IHMA’s Humanistic Management PhD Network for the purpose of supporting new scholars intellectually, broadening awareness of existing theory, and framing opportunities for future research.


Each week we will consider a small number of articles and possible a selection from a classic work. The readings will be shared a week or so before the meeting and preparation is encouraged, but not required. For the benefit of all, a participant or moderator will summarize the readings at the beginning of the discussion.


 This session, the first of several on the topic of well-being or flourishing, will feature a guided reading of selections from Book I of Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics. We will also discuss two recent papers on flourishing in business, both of which are informed by Aristotle’s ideas. First, Bendetta Giovanola’s article from the Journal of Business Ethics argues that Aristotlean ethics, along with Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum’s capabilities approach, can promote a more ‘humanized’ kind of business. Second, Martine Durand and Romina Boarini, of the OECD, outline the challenge of measuring well-being in a business context. If possible, participants should read the two articles before the meeting, but all are welcome and strongly encouraged to attend regardless of preparation.


The guided reading will follow Joe Sachs’ translation of Nicomachean Ethics, but participants do not need to purchase a copy or read in advance, all reading of this text will be done together during the seminar. If you have trouble accessing the articles, contact Tyson Rallens at tyson.rallens@sbs.ox.ac.uk.


 Articles:


Giovanola, B. (2009). Re-Thinking the Anthropological and Ethical Foundation of Economics and Business: Human Richness and Capabilities Enhancement. Journal of Business Ethics, 88, 431–444.


Durand, M., & Boarini, R. (2016). “Well-Being as a Business Concept.” Humanistic Management Journal, 1, 127–137.


This event is sponsored by the Institute for Ethics in Business at Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh.


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