Abstract
One of the main objectives in the information society is to improve the quality of life. — Paying attention to the needs of people seems to be a key element in good ethical behaviour, says Tor Dahl, Managing Director of Manpower Scandinavia. In defining these needs, Manpower used Abraham Maslow's famous pyramid, his hierarchy of needs, as a model for trying to satisfy in practise the needs on each level.
However, they went a step further, asking; what comes after Maslow? To mean something for others; togetherness and that people can be trusted and that they seek a purpose with their work, came out as answers. In his paper Mr. Dahl tells us how Manpower Scandinavia has developed a written set of values, which function as a basis for action and guidelines for behaviour, and where the key idea behind it all is to let people be self-managed. Furthermore, he shows us how Manpower has organised the company according to this conviction.
— If your really have faith in people and show them trust, they will show you trust in return. Then you have a good basis for ethical behaviour, Tor Dahl concludes his paper.
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Tor Dahl, Managing Director, Manpower A/S Scandinavia, had his G.C.E.A. in Norway, 1957. He has studied in Commercial subjects at the Oslo School of Economics and in the U.S.A. His previous positions have been: Advertising-/sales consultant in Frionor (1961–63), Information consultant in Nils M. Apeland A/S (1964), Managing Director Manpower A/S (1965–72), Director of Operations, Manpower Europe (1972–74) and European Director (1974–80). He is married to Monica and has three daughters.
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Dahl, T. The corporation and its employees: A case story. J Bus Ethics 8, 641–645 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00383033
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00383033