__________________________________________________
Call for Papers Theme: The role of human dignity and well-being in management theory Subtitle: From human rights to human responsibilities Type: International Conference Institution: Global Ethic Institute, University of Tübingen Journal of Business Ethics Humanistic Management Network (HMN) Location: Tübingen (Germany) Date: 8.–10.10.2014 Deadline: 15.6.2014 __________________________________________________ International Conference and Special Issue on The role of human dignity and well-being in management theory – from human rights to human responsibilities. Abstract Submission Deadline (conference): June 15, 2014 Submission Deadline (journal): 31 December 2014 Guest editors: Michael Pirson, Fordham University; pir...@fordham.edu Claus Dierksmeier, University of Tuebingen; clausdierksme...@gmail.com Miguel Alzola, Fordham University; alz...@fordham.edu As many scholars suggest, management theory and practice are facing unprecedented challenges (Drucker, 1999; Hawken, Lovins, & Lovins, 2000; Martin, 2012). The manifold crises evidenced by exacerbating climate change, the ever increasing social inequity within so called developed economies and the increasing loss of public trust in business have long called the current paradigm for business into question (Fontrodona & Mele, 2002; Gladwin, Kennelly, & Krause, 1995; Mele, 2003). The search for alternative paradigms for business and management has intensified in the recent decades (Hart, 2005; Martin, 2011; Senge, 2010). As current management theory is largely informed by economics, it draws substantively from neoclassical theories of human beings (Ghoshal, 2005). Researchers have labeled this paradigm for business research economistic (Mele, 2003) and call for a humanistic paradigm instead (Pirson & Lawrence, 2009). Such a humanistic perspective would include more centrally the notion of human dignity and focus more on the promotion of human well-being rather than wealth creation (Nida-Ruemelin, 2008; Rifkin, 2009). Expressing the economistic perspective of management, Michael Jensen (1998) opined...we all have a price: “Like it or not, individuals are willing to sacrifice a little of almost anything we care to name, even reputation or morality, for a sufficiently large quantity of other desired things; and these things do not have to be money or even material goods.” Kant, however, famously noted that ― ”everything has either a price or a dignity. Whatever has a price can be replaced by something else as its equivalent; on the other hand, whatever is above all price, and therefore admits of no equivalent, has a dignity (Kant, 1785).” The notion of human dignity and its intrinsic value has been central to societal progress since the Middle Ages – the quest for human rights, democracy, and the establishment of modern governance (Kateb, 2011; McCloskey, 2010). Economic historians even argue that the accordance of dignity was a central success factor of economic progress in the West (McCloskey, 2010). From its philosophical and religious origins (Dierksmeier, 2011; Rosen, 2012; Sen, 2001) dignity has been a relevant concept throughout time and across disciplines. While seemingly neglected in traditional management research, the concepts of dignity and well-being have experienced renewed attention from the humanities and social sciences. Recent contributions regarding dignity range from political science, e.g. conflict resolution (Hicks, 2011), to legal studies, e.g. governance and corporate charters (Kateb, 2011; Meyer & Parent, 1992), religious studies (Duffy & Gambatese, 1999), economics, e.g. poverty alleviation (McCloskey, 2010; Nussbaum, 1998), sociology, e.g. alienation (Bolton, 2007; Hodson, 2001; Lamont, 2002), to psychology, e.g. motivation (Harris, 1997). According to John Ruggie respect, protection, and promotion of human dignity is reflected in human well-being and flourishing (Canton, 2012). Such a focus on well-being and flourishing can be seen in the recent surge of scholarship in “positive” psychology and “positive” organizational sciences (Cameron, Dutton, & Quinn, 2003; Luthans, 2002). Even in the realm of economics and public policy there is a renewed focus on well-being as ultimate objective function for organizing and policy setting (OECD, 2012). This special issue provides dedicated space for those contributions that answer the call to rethink management theory from a humanistic perspective. As such, we especially invite contributions that highlight the role and protection of human dignity as a cornerstone in paradigmatic conceptualizations of management theory. Furthermore we wish to open up the debate about the purpose of business to include well-being as a valid organizing objective. The concept of dignity may also serve as an anchor for research on human rights in organizational contexts but also elevate human responsibilities to the degree that they support the promotion of flourishing and well-being (see e.g. positive organizational scholarship). Other contributions could examine the role of freedom and human rights in business theory more directly. The capability approach by Amartya Sen especially could provide fertile ground for a more humanistic management theory. Similarly, the role of human responsibilities could be explored as a focal point of alternative management theory. While this special issue is geared more towards philosophical, conceptual and theoretical contributions we will also consider empirical papers that highlight elements of a humanistic management paradigm directly. Specific research questions can entail but are not limited to: a. What are the failures of the current economic paradigm, and how could they be resolved? b. What are the notions of human dignity that can help advance our discourse in management? c. How can human dignity be understood, protected and promoted within management theory. d. Does a focus on dignity help reorienting the ultimate purpose of business away from profit-maximization? e. Which conceptual underpinnings enhance and promote human dignity and promote sustainable well-being? f. Do business corporations have human rights obligations? g. What is the role of human rights in management theory and how can it be strengthened? h. What role does freedom play in the dominant paradigm and how could a different conceptualization of freedom (substantive or qualitative) culminate in alternative paradigmatic assumptions? i. How can Amartya Sen’s capability approach help with alternative conceptualization of management theory? j. How do human rights and human responsibilities relate, and how does that influence management theory? k. What alternative objective functions should and could management theory embrace? l. What, if anything can be learned from debates in economics and psychology on the notion of well-being and flourishing? Calendar: 1. The Special Issue is intended for publication in 2016. 2. The deadline for the submission of papers for the Special Issue is December 31, 2014. 3. Conference: A conference dedicated to the topic of the Special Issue will be held, organized by the Humanistic Management Network, at the Global Ethic Institute, University of Tuebingen (October 8-10, 2014). Participation in the conference is not required for a paper submission to the Special Issue. However, the conference provides the opportunity to refine arguments and engage in a community of like-minded scholars. Submission of abstract for the workshop: June 15, 2014. Decision by July 15, 2014. Submission of full papers for the workshop: August 31, 2014 Authors may elect to submit papers to a conference to be held at the Global Ethic Institute of the University of Tuebingen, to be held in October 8–10, 2014. To be considered for participation in the conference, please submit an 800–1000 word abstract of your paper no later than June 15, 2014 to pap...@humanetwork.org or ho...@weltethos-institut.org. Abstracts must include the following information: Title; statement of the problems or issues to be considered; statement of thesis and summary of argument; and an overview of the relevant literature. Authors’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, affiliations, e-mail addresses, and biographies (200 words maximum) must be included on a separate page. This information should not be included in the word count. A full version of the paper should be submitted by August 31st, 2014. Submission to the special issue – deadline December 31, 2014 – is required through Editorial Manager at: http://www.editorialmanager.com/busi/ Please follow JBE guideline: http://www.springer.com/social+sciences/applied+ethics/journal/10551 for manuscript presentation This call for papers is supported by The Humanistic Management Network (HMN). The Humanistic Management Network is an international, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral group of scholars, practitioners and policy makers supporting the transition towards a life-conducive economic system. The humanistic management approach holds that the protection of human dignity and the promotion of authentic well-being are viable alternatives to managing for a better world. The network has active chapters in 5 continents and more than 20 countries. You can find more at: www.humanetwork.org Call for papers: http://www.weltethos-institut.org/forschung/call-for-papers/the-role-of-human-dignity-and-well-being-in-management-theory-from-human-rights-to-human-responsibilities/ __________________________________________________ InterPhil List Administration: http://interphil.polylog.org Intercultural Philosophy Calendar: http://cal.polylog.org __________________________________________________
