Firms, Ex-offenders, and Communities: A Stakeholder Capability Enhancement Perspective

This article contributes to the business ethics literature by applying and extending an emerging theoretical perspective-stakeholder capability enhancement (Westermann-Behaylo, Van Buren, & Berman, 2016)-to previously unexplored areas of business ethics inquiry related to work, dignity, and relationships between firms, ex-offenders, and other stakeholders. In particular, I direct attention to ex-offenders as critical community-based stakeholders pursuing employment opportunities with employers in these communities. I discuss how prevailing hiring practices in firms restrict opportunities for ex-offenders to obtain meaningful work and undermine stakeholder capabilities and dignity. I consider three primary pathways for expanding employment opportunities for ex-offenders, enhancing the capabilities and dignity of ex-offenders and other community-based stakeholders, and maintaining critical employer rights. The article concludes with a discussion of potential directions for future research.