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Article
Publication date: 1 January 2005

Ana Maria Davila Gomez and Jair Nascimento Santos

In the context of the present, most organizations are developing towards a so‐called efficacy proposed by a world of economic and scientific predominance. As a consequence…

Abstract

In the context of the present, most organizations are developing towards a so‐called efficacy proposed by a world of economic and scientific predominance. As a consequence, organizations have become the target of insignificant actions by human beings, reducing the individuals to automatons. It is necessary to rescue the real nature of organizations and to make changes inside them, in order to attend to the individual diversity and the needs of the community. Thus, only a reflexive and critical look at the articulation of tangible things may help us. Certainly, those are the intentions of our paper, when we propose actions to reach a relation between the individuals and the organizations, using elements extracted from theoretical currents whose authors analyze those subjects as recurrent ones (structuralism, critical theory and post‐modernism). Initially, the paper makes a reflection on the nature of current organizational reality and the theoretical basis often present nowadays. Hereby, we present some propositions and put in question our responsibility as students, professors, researchers and managers, for having in our hands the power to decide if we want continuity or change. Finally, we propose some methodological guidelines for research oriented to elucidate the reality of the reflections afore mentioned. Hence, we argue the need to conduct critical‐action research, by illustrating and questioning the social responsibility of one type of Latin‐American company, petroleum companies, for which we show the social‐environmental impacts of their strategic decisions. Our critical reflections and propositions come from two sources: one is our biographical experience from almost twelve years in Latin‐American countries, either as managers or professors, and the second one is some results of our current research interest regarding social responsibility in the themes of equity and organizational objectives.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 1 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2006

Ana Maria Davila Gomez and David Crowther

Why do organizations exist? Which is their true nature? Why are the majority of our actual organizations exclusively aiming at financial growth and disregarding the needs of…

Abstract

Why do organizations exist? Which is their true nature? Why are the majority of our actual organizations exclusively aiming at financial growth and disregarding the needs of social and human nature? How and why are most of the management practices answering to this financial expectation? Why do we as members of a society that conceives organizations to answer our collective needs, allow some of its members to not answer the prerogatives invested in them? How do we as members of the collective, as well as members of organizations, consider these issues within our knowledge of organizational and management practices and theory? Are we objectives in our own right or just a means of financial productivity?

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Book part
Publication date: 30 November 2020

Ana Maria Davila Gomez and David Crowther

Inequities among people all around the world as well as indifference towards the environment continue to be a constant reality despite the efforts of some organizations worldwide…

Abstract

Inequities among people all around the world as well as indifference towards the environment continue to be a constant reality despite the efforts of some organizations worldwide for a better future. We consider that these efforts need to be amplified by many other organizations, therefore, the role of managers as practitioners who conduct organizations' actions need to be explored in the sense of their contribution for improving our reality. Hence, for a better future, a sustainable world that could be more fair, honest and concerned towards nature. To us, this calls into question the role of management education to this regard. Our research studies indicate that one way to contribute to this aim is by means of introducing in contents and pedagogical practices of our courses, the appropriateness of human values in students, as they are the future managers. In this chapter, we present some of these human values, sometimes considered by many religious traditions as spiritual values, which are: wholeness, forethought, solidarity and compassion. We conceptualize these values, and throughout critical reflections, we show how they are taken into account, or simply disregarded, in various courses and domains of Business Schools. At the end, we present some suggestions for pedagogical practices.

Details

CSR in an age of Isolationism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-268-0

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 13 September 2023

Ana Maria Davila Gomez and David Crowther

The recent pandemic has seen a considerable shift in patterns of work, some of which may well be permanent. One of these changes is the increase in teleworking, which has risen…

Abstract

The recent pandemic has seen a considerable shift in patterns of work, some of which may well be permanent. One of these changes is the increase in teleworking, which has risen considerably in use. Some of this change has been at the insistence of employers while some have been desired by employees. This has had many implications and possible consequences for the future, and even for the mental health of those involved or affected by this change to home working. In this chapter, these changes and their implications are explored in detail, with a prognosis being considered.

Details

Corporate Resilience
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-782-2

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 18 April 2011

David Crowther and Ana Maria Davila Gomez

Technologists typically give little thought to the negative impacts of technology upon society at large, preferring instead to argue that there is no alternative, and to label…

Abstract

Technologists typically give little thought to the negative impacts of technology upon society at large, preferring instead to argue that there is no alternative, and to label those raising social concerns as ‘Luddites’. In any responsible society however it is essential that thought is given to how technological innovation can be managed, and this calls for some government planning – a bete noir of contemporary political thought. It seems that so far all governments have largely failed both to appreciate the significance and pace of developments and have failed to develop a stance in respect to it. They have significantly failed to develop a policy which ensures that society as a whole, and individual members of that society benefit from the future developments in this area. This can be contrasted with many individuals who have readily grasped the power of information technology and have combined into groups who have been able to exert significant influence on those governments. Indeed it can be considered that the entire anti-globalisation movement could not exist without the availability of that information technology. As Barnett and Crowther (1998) point out, the internet removes the need for geographical proximity in order for people to combine in achieving a purpose.

Details

Governance in the Business Environment
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-877-0

Book part
Publication date: 18 April 2022

Ana Maria Davila Gomez and David Crowther

This chapter is concerned with the social pillar of sustainability and how management education can assist in ensuring the equity among people that is necessary to achieve…

Abstract

This chapter is concerned with the social pillar of sustainability and how management education can assist in ensuring the equity among people that is necessary to achieve sustainability. The chapter considers how a sense of responsibility towards ensuring equity and fairness is derived and the sources of this. It argues that early education teaches aspects of fairness, but at a higher education level, further education is a working context continues to be necessary but is very often absent. It is at this stage that the educators in management have a role and responsibility. Unfortunately in a work context, people tend to be considered merely as operands within a production process and not as real people, and thus considerations of fairness and concern tend to be eliminated, with a tendency towards exploitation. This of course is not sustainable, and the chapter argues that at the higher education level this can be addressed with noticeable effect.

Details

The Equal Pillars of Sustainability
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-066-8

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 18 April 2011

Abstract

Details

Governance in the Business Environment
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-85724-877-0

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2005

Mary Ipe

The Supreme Court order dated July 19,2004, ordering relief for Bhopal gas victims is a case of the long arm of justice 20 years after the event. The leakage of a poisonous gas…

1927

Abstract

The Supreme Court order dated July 19,2004, ordering relief for Bhopal gas victims is a case of the long arm of justice 20 years after the event. The leakage of a poisonous gas, Methyl Isocynate (MIC) from the pesticide plant of Union Carbide India Ltd, Bhopal, on December 3, 1984,resulted in a loss of 10,000 lives and permanently disabled nearly 50,000 people. This tragedy raises some serious corporate social responsibility issues to be addressed by manufacturing Companies, in their responsibility towards the community and environment. This Case examines the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and explains what happened and why: The economic, legal and environmental aspects and addresses the wider issues facing the stakeholders and the players.

Details

Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 1 no. 3/4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1747-1117

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 18 April 2022

Abstract

Details

The Equal Pillars of Sustainability
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80382-066-8

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 30 November 2020

Abstract

Details

CSR in an age of Isolationism
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80043-268-0

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