The aim of the paper is to present the economic thoughts of John Calvin and his followers, referring to current issues, such as money lending, usury, or work. The latter, according to the famous thesis of Max Weber, received spiritual value by acting as a bridge between God's will and daily life. The hypothesis of this article differs somewhat from this conviction, assuming that the main economic elements of Calvinist thought have been the consequence of the release of temporal realities from the influence of the direct action of God, according to the protestant theology of the radical separation of nature and grace. Initiated by Protestantism, the dichotomy of nature and grace seems to have important consequences for economic thought. The salvific dimension of human fate remained in the hands of God, he depends entirely on its favour in connection with the dogma of predestination. In the earthly life, a human being was treated as a part of nature, his survival depended on skill and determination. in the struggle with nature, devoid of the grace of God, ruled by the law of necessity. Survival and a better life depended primarily on human labour and effort. The flourishing of economic life has resulted not only from the ethical role of work, but also from the fact that it was no longer inhibited by religious restrictions. Thus, modern man was born, more and more aware of his subjectivity, subordinating nature to himself building the human world in place of the natural world. Building a modern society and economy is part of the Protestant ethos of mastering nature.
The aim of the paper is an attempt to show that the personalist economy – by referring to the idea of a person, containing and expressing all the dimensions of being human in relation to the world of people and things – provides the ability to integrate issues of ethics and economics. To achieve this goal, first, the concept of personalist economics will be presented. Then, ideas common for economics and the ethics of space, which can be a basis for integrating their issues, will be identified and characterized. Finally, the author tries to present the consequences which may result from such an integration, both for the economy as a science and as a practice of everyday life.
There are three working theses formulated and proved in the paper. First, business ethics as a science not wishful thinking, encounters the following, impossible to overcome, difficulties: Lack of a precise definition of business ethics, Ethical relativism, Strong competition on national, international, and global market, Shareholders’ interests vs. social responsibility of a company, Objective (based on scientific laws) limitations of business ethics, Ethical codes vs. the rules of a company, labour and employment legislation. Second, the author claims that a company cannot be treated as an ethical education institution. This kind of education should begin in a family, kindergartens, and schools. The issues of business ethics should be included into ethical education in above mentioned places. (e.g. negotiation, to keep one’s promise, to keep on schedule etc.) Third, the issue of business ethics (ethical codes) should not be restricted to a company only. It should be put into the context of sector, national, multinational, and global market.
Since the beginning of 2020, lockdowns have been introduced in numerous countries across the world in response to the emergence of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that causes the COVID-19 disease. Although the topic of lockdowns has been considered from numerous perspectives, it has not yet been analyzed in the context of Adam Smith’s economic philosophy and liberalism. This paper aims to list – at least to some extent, as the topic is very broad – the most prominent arguments that have arisen in the worldwide discussion on the effectiveness and side effects of lockdowns. In addition, the work provides some elements of Smith’s economic philosophy and liberalism. Finally, the arguments that have arisen in the academic discussion since the introduction of lockdowns are analyzed, and the legitimacy of lockdowns is assessed in the context of Smith’s principles. The methods used for the analysis are text exegesis and rational reconstruction. As far as the conclusions are concerned, an explicit assessment of the legitimacy of lockdowns in the discussed context is considered impossible, although for many elements of Smith’s liberalism, lockdowns are not legitimate at all.
The research problem described in the title of the article can be formulated as a question: by what means is the idea of the University’s social responsibility implemented at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology in its operation? We are talking here about the idea of sensu largo, because universities’ social responsibility requires an even more complete theoretical conceptualization. This idea refers to the theoretically recognized, complex, constantly changing, and multi-directional and network cooperation between the University and the heterogeneous environment. The conclusions of this submission may be a stimulus for further research on the developing concept of university social responsibility. The first part of the article is based on the analysis of the literature of the subject, while the second part examines documents.
It is commonly stated that the behavioral aspect is problematic for economists. Nevertheless, a large strand of the literature on the topic exists, and it is high time we started making use of this fact. Using a simple literature review, the article presents some of the recent psychological discoveries from the fields of social psychology and behavioral economics that can be applied to macroeconomics in the context of estimating and reducing tax gaps (aim 1). Also, some fundamental methodological issues (aim 2a) and ethical distinctions between different meanings of procedural justice are raised (aim 2b).
Customer-centricity – a concept, a trend or an absolute must-have in a modern consumer market? The answer may seem clear, and that no further profound reflections are required. However, it is impossible to specify unambiguously the criteria that should be met by an organization to be considered a customer-centric enterprise. This doubt stimulated the analysis of the available sources in which numerous authors have taken up the topic of the customer and his strategic importance for supporting a wide range of businesses. I focus on five different business concepts that combine a qualitative approach to the customer. The article attempts to define the concept of customer-centricity, and I identify five different qualities that should be met by an organization so that it may call itself “customer-centric”.
The idea of sustainable development as a normative concept emphasizes the necessity for a wider consensus on meeting human needs, ensuring social equity, and respecting planetary boundaries. The purpose of the article focuses on the deontological orientation in perceiving sustainable development. It is expected that looking at sustainability from the deontological perspective might increase individuals’ awareness of responsibility towards respecting the needs of the world’s poor, environmental boundaries, and moral equity, which emphasizes that all people are equal. Any attempt to achieve sustainability demands, first of all, rational action placed on moral duties/obligations before individual people or institutions can achieve their particular desires and goals. According to this perspective, sustainability should be treated as a prior constraint in obtaining economic maximization.
This article concerns Karl Polanyi’s theory of money as a fictitious commodity and its importance for understanding liberal ideology. According to the Hungarian economist, money is not a commodity but a social relation between the debtor and the creditor. Therefore, the complete commodification of money is part of a liberal utopia, as it is associated with a counter-movement and an economic crisis, two processes that make impossible the constitution of a market society. The author analyzes the problem of counter-movement through the prism of Karl Mannheim’s theory of utopia and ideology. The final part of the article deals with the problem of economic crises, Polanyi’s views on the nature of economic breakdown are compared with contemporary reflection on the role of money in financial markets.
Implementing modern methods of quality management improves the services provided by public administration. Quality management systems are tools for changing the structure, methods of operation, and consequently, the image of Polish administration. These systems are a modern method aimed at improving the management and quality of the public services provided. Implementing the system of solutions based on the ISO 9001 standard that ensures quality requires customers’ needs to continually be improved, defined and fulfilled effectively and economically. Such activities in public administration offices make it possible to develop transparent, ordered, self-improving organisations that are open to customers’ and employees’ needs. The system of quality management ensures the functioning of offices in accordance with the rules of law, objectivity, and professional ethics. The purpose of this article is to assess the impact of systems methods of quality management in the public sector on the effectiveness and efficiency of the services provided, including the principles of professional ethics.
The main aim of the paper is to show an existential religious model of business leadership. We want to defend the thesis that leaders, who consider existing norms and regulations, have the greatest influence on how organisational aims are achieved. Thus, based on the concept of Kierkegaard’s modes of existence, we show that the individual values and motives of leaders’ behaviour influence the shape of the leadership itself as well as the management of an organisation. On the basis of a literature review, we propose the following connections: an aesthetic mode with instrumental motives which result in the shareholder perspective; an ethical mode of existence with normative motives which lead to the stakeholder perspective; and the spiritual mode of existence with transcendental motives which enable leaders to introduce a holistic perspective of management. However, we cannot link certain motives with a particular type of leadership, as leaders with different modes of existence might practice the same type of leadership (i.e., leadership based on values, authentic leadership) and combine various types of leadership in their actions. The paper might provide a theoretical basis for empirical research on leadership and managerial behaviour.
Over the years, the Austrian School of Economics has created the image of a thinker associated with ideas of liberalism. The views of members of this school are often considered controversial. However, the concept of freedom clearly displayed by the Austrians is very popular among economists. Carl Menger is said to be the founder and a leading member of the Austrian School of Economics, and his works are mostly devoted to methodology and economic theory. Nevertheless, you can also find his views on the sphere of economic liberalism and freedom. Almost 150 years after the publication of Menger’s main works, it emerged that he had created not only the timeless foundations of the theory and methodology of economics, but his theory of subjective value had become the bedrock which is used to this day in deliberations on economic liberalism. The economy pursued by Menger (based primarily on the ideas of subjectivism and individualism) continues to be an important and timeless foundation for the development of the doctrine of economic liberalism. This article is a review based on an analysis of the literature on the subject.
Despite the conclusions from the contemporary philosophy of science, many economists cherish the ideal of positive science. Therefore, value-free economics is still the central paradigm in economics. The first aim of the paper is to investigate economics’ axiomatic assumptions from an epistemological perspective. The critical analysis of the literature shows that the positive-normative dichotomy is exaggerated. Moreover, value-free economics is based on normative foundations that have a negative impact on individuals and society. The paper’s second aim is to show that economics’ normativity is not a problem because the discussion concerning values is possible and unavoidable. In this context, Weber and other methodologists are investigated. The conclusion of the paper is that science can thrive without strict methodological rules thanks to institutional mechanisms. Therefore, economists could learn from artists who accept the world without absolute rules. This perspective opens the possibility for methodological pluralism and normative approaches.
The purpose of this work is to present arguments that support the thesis about the need to formulate professional ethics for mortgage brokers. Due to the lack of a broader reflection on the professional ethics of this profession, a theoretical gap has arisen between general ethical thinking and the practice of ethical codes. Based on the literature, it was found that to formulate professional ethics, it is necessary to know the specifics of the work and to identify the specific ethical problems of the profession. These issues for mortgage brokers are described in this paper thanks to the use of the retrospective participant observation method. The conclusions of this study make it possible to recommend formulating the basics of professional ethics that refer to the value of professionalism, honesty, and responsibility.
Considering medical students’ experiences gives insights into aspects of their education and socialization to the medical profession that are not visible from official curricula. This article presents the results of a multi-thread focus group study involving medical students studying at three Polish medical universities. The aims of the article are: 1) to describe the surveyed students’ experiences regarding difficulties associated with missing classes and justifying their absence, and; 2) to confront these experiences with their universities’ policies and professional ethics demands that require the development of pro-health attitudes. The practices described by the respondents are considered to constitute an example of a “hidden curriculum”, i.e. the shaping of students’ attitudes not through officially taught content, but, rather, through widespread customs in a given institution. The conclusion is that the medical students’ experiences are inconsistent with Polish law and the regulations of their universities. The described practices also seem to be inconsistent with Article 71 of the Polish Code of Medical Ethics, which prohibits doctors from promoting anti-health attitudes.
Purpose: On the one hand, the aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of responsibility in its rudimentary aspect. On the other, it reflects on the disquieting phenomena that occur in socio-economic practice which can be traced to various origins and which can lead to numerous deficiencies in public administration and business activities. Method: The study was carried out by analyzing the rudimentary aspects of responsibility from the ontological-ethical perspective. Results: It was established that individuals, who are a part of organizational structures, should not only recognize and fulfill various types of responsibility that result from a variety of tasks and goals but more importantly, they should acknowledge the existence of a core responsibility within the organization, which extends beyond legal acts and statutes. The complex nature of the issue of responsibility, as well as its ethical-social implications in the scope of ontological-existential debate, were recognized. Conclusions: The studies conducted show that responsibility plays a key role in defining modern management trends and socio-economic problems. The role of responsibility in business entities and public administration fulfilling tasks, goals and challenges is indisputable. Contribution to the discipline: The conducted analyses further clarify the nature and the basic function of responsibility both in the entity and in socio-economic relations.
Online exams have become a common tool in the academic didactic process, as well as in most online courses in business. Taking exams in a remote location like home, using ICT tools, brings many challenges to both sides, the learner and the examiner. The aim of this article is to show the challenges in the context of ethical attitudes, trust, and respect for one another. Some results of a broader survey in the form of Computer Aided Web Interviews are presented to highlight students’ opinions and expectations, along with the results of personal interviews with academic teachers. In the final part of the article, recommendations are given. The importance of trust and systematic assessment of learners’ progress is emphasized.
Immanuel Kant’s language and concept of foedus pacificum (league of peace) combined with his call for a spirit of trade promised a prescription for world peace—“seeking to end all wars forever.” Nation-state level cooperation between liberal democracies has borne out Kant’s analysis to some effect. A consequence of the twin pursuits of foedus pacificum and spirit of trade has ironically resulted in the exploitation of society. Today’s international corporations adversely affect public policies ostensibly designed to protect citizens through an anti-democratic market-based ideology within the State—as seen through the lenses of Foucauldian post-structural theory and Debord’s society of the spectacle. The author proposes that globalist-corporatist control of governing apparatuses is now exposed for its authoritarian tendencies. This action could result in the ultimate destruction of the representative democratic state with the onset of neoliberalism and authoritarianism.
This research investigates the level of the gender pay gap and gender parity in the Visegrad Group countries in light of the changes that took place in the whole EU during the last decade. The following hypotheses accompany the research objective: (1) the level of the gender pay gap diminished significantly over the last decade in the V4 economies; (2) the V4 countries are following a path to achieve gender parity. Data were taken from Eurostat. The pay gap and the managerial occupations indicators were used to verify the research hypotheses.The empirical investigation did not let us reject the first hypothesis for Poland only. However, it should be rejected for the other V4 economies. In addition, the second hypothesis should be rejected.
The CSR (corporate social responsibility) concept has become an increasingly important part of corporations’ strategies and plans. However, it does not have to translate into investors’ decisions to buy their shares. The article investigates the relationships between companies implementing a CSR strategy, the rates of return on their stocks, and their investment risk. The paper aims to verify whether applying a CSR strategy affects stock market parameters (lower risk, higher investment profitability) and whether investors consider CSR companies less risky or more profitable and reliable than non-CSR firms. The following hypotheses have been formulated: (I) CSR companies are less risky (in terms of investment risk) than non-CRS ones; (II) CSR companies are characterized by higher rates of return than non-CSR ones.
