Keywords
Church management, philosophical foundations, Catholic social teaching, universal values, management theory, business ethics, epistemology
Abstract
In recent years, there have been increasing efforts to improve management in the Catholic Church. Whilst positive outcomes have been observed, a key challenge is that the accompanying pastoral education and resource materials sometimes conflict with the Church’s theological tradition particularly regarding human work, ethics, and the view of reality. This article notes that a wider debate exists over the principles, effectiveness, and even legitimacy of management per se. It argues that the road to resolution has to begin at the level of philosophical foundations, and that this can be normative for management in both Church and society. An outline of such a foundation is offered by drawing from the Catholic faith tradition while also noting resonant views outside the Church. The article highlights how this foundation helps to address current debates in the field while also reorienting management principles to be more in line with the real, true, and good.
Recommended Citation
Kheng, Christina
(2021)
"Towards a Normative Philosophical Foundation for Management: Contributions from the Catholic Faith Tradition,"
Journal of Religion and Business Ethics: Vol. 4, Article 5.
Available at:
https://via.library.depaul.edu/jrbe/vol4/iss2/5