Keywords
Faith-washing, faith-friendly business, organizational legitimacy, religion and ethics, meat industry
Abstract
Drawing on faith/spirituality at work and organizational legitimacy literatures, a case study of a large global meat company is used to deconstruct the concept of faith-friendly business and explore how faith-washing can provide a business with legitimacy and potentially distract stakeholders from irresponsible activities. In particular, I focus on the faith-friendly communications and initiatives in relation to treatment of non-salaried employees as a primary stakeholder of the company. I highlight a disconnect from religious social thought on meaningful and dignified work and many of the concepts found in the modern faith/spirituality at work literature, as well as societal expectations on health and safety in the workplace. Implications are provided for practice and research, including theoretical development in the areas of strategic legitimacy management and faith-washing in organizations.
Recommended Citation
Driscoll, Cathy
(2025)
"The Dirty Work of Faith-washing in a Faith-friendly Business,"
Journal of Religion and Business Ethics: Vol. 6, Article 1.
Available at:
https://via.library.depaul.edu/jrbe/vol6/iss1/1
