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Academia, Aristotle, and the Public Sphere – Stewardship Challenges to Schools of Business

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Abstract

In this paper we suggest that the ethical duties of business schools can be understood as representing stewardship in the Aristotelian tradition. In Introduction section we briefly explain the nature of ethical stewardship as a moral guideline for organizations in examining their duties to society. Ethical Stewardship section presents six ethical duties of business schools that are owed to four distinct stakeholders, and includes examples of each of those duties. Utilizing this Framework section identifies how this framework of duties can be used in the process of self-examination and transformation within business schools. Why It Matters section concludes by explaining why the process of examining ethical duties at business schools is vitally important for both business schools and the larger communities that they serve.

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Notes

  1. The hazards of relying upon Aristotle and Greco–Roman ideas about citizenship were outlined by Wood and Logsdon (2002), among others. Yet we feel the virtue model can hold its own, given such caveats.

  2. Additional stakeholders (alumni, staff, government, the environment, etc.) can be identified and are owed stewardship, yet space limitations prohibit their inclusion here. We note too that there may be duties beyond those identified above, and suggest that business schools adapt this framework as is appropriate.

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  1. Department of Business Administration, Louisiana State University at Alexandria, Alexandria, LA, USA

    Cam Caldwell

  2. Graduate School of Management, Clark University, Worcester, MA, USA

    Mary-Ellen Boyle

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  1. Cam Caldwell
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Correspondence to Cam Caldwell or Mary-Ellen Boyle.

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Caldwell, C., Boyle, ME. Academia, Aristotle, and the Public Sphere – Stewardship Challenges to Schools of Business. J Acad Ethics 5, 5–20 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10805-007-9048-2

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