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This book uses Kant's idea of imperfect duty to extend the theory of the firm. Unlike perfect duty which is contractual or otherwise legally binding, imperfect duty consists of those commitments of choice that pursue some moral value, but that have practical limits to their pursuit. The author presents a broad view of the imperfect duties of management, defined as a nexus of all commitments to do good involving relations internal and external to the firm. This nexus consists of three overlapping categories of (i) building a virtuous managerial community, (ii) pursuing reasoned managerial discourse, and (iii) diligent and reasoned pursuit of the body of routine managerial duties such as capital budgeting and internal controls. Specific applications of the nexus theory for stakeholder relations via fair negotiation, and for analysis of the effects on the managerial team of perquisite consumption are presented.This book has major implications for research in business ethicsand allows critical insights into managerial decision making.
List of contents
1. Introduction: The Nexus of Imperfect Duty and the Ethical Norm.- 2.Kant's Categorical Imperative and Moral Duties.- 3. The Nexus of Managerial Duty and its Conceptual Advantages.- 4. Relations of Virtue.- 5. Reasoned Managerial Decisions.- 6. Due Diligence and the Profit Motive: Perfect Or Imperfect Duty?.- 7. Managers, Virtues, and Dispositions?.- 8. Fair Negotiations.- 9. Management Perquisites and Imperfect Duty.
About the author
Richard M. Robinson is Professor of Business Administration at SUNY Fredonia, USA. His research explores the ethical foundation of managerial behavior.
Summary
This book uses Kant's idea of imperfect duty to extend the theory of the firm. Unlike perfect duty which is contractual or otherwise legally binding, imperfect duty consists of those commitments of choice that pursue some moral value, but that have practical limits to their pursuit. The author presents a broad view of the imperfect duties of management, defined as a nexus of all commitments to do good involving relations internal and external to the firm. This nexus consists of three overlapping categories of (i) building a virtuous managerial community, (ii) pursuing reasoned managerial discourse, and (iii) diligent and reasoned pursuit of the body of routine managerial duties such as capital budgeting and internal controls. Specific applications of the nexus theory for stakeholder relations via fair negotiation, and for analysis of the effects on the managerial team of perquisite consumption are presented.This book has major implications for research in business ethicsand allows critical insights into managerial decision making.
