An Aristotelian approach to sustainable business

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to provide an Aristotelian alternative to the neo‐classical paradigm for the development of sustainable business research and a preliminary explanation of how to implement the assumptions on the shopfloor.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a conceptual exploration and comparison of sustainable business, Aristotle's view of society and intra‐societal relations, and the neo‐classical model.

Findings

The paper shows how sustainable business research is supported by elements of the Aristotelian model and how this is not the case with the neo‐classical paradigm. Practical implications for corporate governance strategies are detailed.

Originality/value

This paper shows how Aristotelian philosophy may provide a rationale for the normative claims of sustainable business research.

Citation

Grant, P. (2011), "An Aristotelian approach to sustainable business", Corporate Governance, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 4-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/14720701111108808