From Virtue Ethics to Virtuous Corporation Putting Virtues into Business Practice

摘要

This paper aims to contribute to a greater understanding of the theory of virtue ethics inits application in the business arena. In contrast to other ethics approaches, virtue theoryemphasises the virtues and moral characters of the individual as moral agent. As such,the theory of virtue ethics provides a useful perspective in making sense of variousbusiness ethics issues through placing an emphasis on the moral character of theindividuals, and its transformational influences in driving ethical business conduct.Drawing from van Marrewijk's (2003) theory of agency and communion inunderstanding the corporate sustainability value systems, as well as Moore's (2002,2005 & 2008) conceptualisation of Alasdair MacIntyre's philosophical approach toethics, the paper presents a theoretical framework that seeks to explain how individuals,as moral agents, can serve to promote virtuous business conduct and help foster a moraland ethical climate in the organisation as well as society at large