Fuzzy Moral Responsibility Problem in Business Organizations: An Intermediate Position for Enhancing Trust in Business and Management
Fuzzy Moral Responsibility Problem in Business Organizations: An Intermediate Position for Enhancing Trust in Business and Management

Summary/Abstract: For more than three decades, we have been witnessing an academic debate regarding whether we should consider individual or corporate moral responsibility. Despite sound arguments for both sides, the debate is far from over because both propositions demonstrate serious shortcomings and limitations. Business cases of corporate scandals and frauds provide strong evidence of the fuzzy moral responsibility problems in organizations and cannot be fully explained by either individual or corporate moral responsibility approach. This study proposes to acknowledge both types of moral responsibility building on an intermediate position that treats companies as ‘quasi-moral agents’ [Melé 2009]. Such approach eliminates most of the problems related to the two radical positions. Against this backdrop I evaluate two business cases of financial scandals and good behaviours, and explain how the intermediate approach enables enhancing trust in business and management.

• Details
• Contents