This open access edited book brings together a number of theories under the umbrella of humanistic governance to develop a persuasive alternative perspective on governance, particularly for democratic organisations such as co-operatives. It examines how we can move beyond a profit-first approach to governance, into a framework that prioritises human dignity in all aspects of an operation. This book also discusses key issues for different types of cooperatives and how these might be addressed. And, finally, it addresses how cooperatives can better cope with dynamic change processes. This book will be of interest for academics working in the areas of stakeholder governance, social solidarity economy, ethical management and co-operatives.
This book demonstrates how principles of a Humanistic Management paradigm are practiced in a variety of industries and regions by businesses of different ownership structures and sizes. What unites these businesses is their commitment to the three stepped approach of Humanistic Management, which is grounded in unconditional respect for the dignity of life, the integration of ethics in management decisions, and active engagement with stakeholders. These businesses are not labeled social enterprises, but operate within the mainstream of competitive markets. However, they do have a deep sense of responsibility towards the communities in which they operate and act accordingly, knowing that sustaining business success over time depends on a value proposition to society at large. The cases featured in this book serve to clarify that businesses can thrive not despite but because they are upholding principles of Humanistic Management. It will be valuable reading for academics working in the field of business ethics, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
This book presents a humanistic science-based framework for management, promoting an ethical and responsible approach to addressing current global societal problems.
There are many books about business and society, yet very few of them question the primacy of GDP growth, profit maximization and individual utility maximization. This groundbreaking book questions these assumptions and investigates the possibility of creating a human-centered, value-oriented society based on humanistic principles.
Cultures and moral expectations differ around the globe, and so the management of corporate responsibilities has become increasingly complex. Is there, however, a humanistic consensus that can bridge cultural and ethnic divides and reconcile the diverse and contrary interests of stakeholders world-wide? This book seeks to answer that question.
In developing an enlightened socio-economic-political environment, this book provides a new socio-economic-political system based on (i) Collective Capitalism (CCP) of cooperatively managed institutions and enterprises, and (ii) a Civilian Democracy (CDM) sans political parties, whereby the most qualified representatives of all the functional sectors of the community get elected to the local legislature. It also specifies a new economic-political structure in the form of autonomous functionally-sustainable communities (FSCs), within regional economic zones (REZs) and self-reliant regional unions (SRUs, such as the EU). This system of FSCs, REZs and SRUs will come under the aegis of (and collectively represented by) a World government, over-seeing the development of a comprehensive charter of human rights and social justice for all the people of the world. The neo-humanistic integrated system of CCP and CDM, to be implemented within FSCs, will provide grass-roots socio-economic-political empowerment, contrary to the system of centralized economic and political governance.This book serves as a valuable teaching, learning, knowledge and research resource for (i) a holistic approach to a sustainable living environment promoting collective welfare, and (ii) a multi-stage road-map towards a world government system for unification of all the communities of the world into one global cooperative. The combined system of socio-economic democracy (involving knowledge and conscientious governance executives elected by and directly representing the various functional sectors of FSCs) and world government will help transform the current undignified north-south socioeconomic order into a democratic and equitable globalization order, for collective social security towards achieving sustainable local and global peace.
New Humanism and Global Governance is the first in this subject to study how a variety of factors related to globalization will shape the future of the human community. It discusses the major challenges to today's world order and governance, as well as international experience in responding to these challenges. It covers a wide range of issues including unequal distribution of wealth, the widening income inequality gap, contradiction between economic development and environmental protection, the middle-income trap, de-globalization, democratic crisis, anti-immigration sentiments, nationalism, and radical extremism. It addresses these issues by emphasizing policy implications for governance.The chapters are selected papers from two international conferences jointly held by the Institute of Public Policy(IPP) at the South China University of Technology and UNESCO. Contributors from China, Europe and the US present their questions, observations, and analyses in a narrative and descriptive style which appeal to a wide range of audience.
This incisive Handbook provides a global update on the state of knowledge in cooperatives and mutuals, expertly describing future directions for research and education. Showcasing extensive discussions of cooperative theory, Matthew S. Elliott and Michael A. Boland, and the contributors, assess cooperatives' social, economic and environmental effects and analyse the impact of regional and cultural features that make cooperatives unique.
This volume explores where, how and why the cooperative model is having a distinctive, transformational impact in driving socio-economic changes in a post-pandemic 21st century world. Drawing from a diverse range of examples, the book sheds light on how today’s cooperatives and a co-operative way of organising might serve new societal demands. It examines organisational structures and governance models that develop socio-economic resilience in cooperatives. The book’s contributors reveal how the very pursuit of cooperative values and principles challenges market fundamentalism and promotes participatory democracy. This is a timely contribution to recent debates around transformative economies and an invaluable resource for scholars and activists interested in alternative ways of organising.
