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Responsible Management: Engaging Moral Reflexive Practice Through Threshold Concepts

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  • Paul Hibbert
  • Ann Cunliffe

Abstract

In this conceptual paper we argue that, to date, principles of responsible management have not impacted practice as anticipated because of a disconnect between knowledge and practice. This disconnect means that an awareness of ethical concerns, by itself, does not help students take personal responsibility for their actions. We suggest that an abstract knowledge of principles has to be supplemented by an engaged understanding of the responsibility of managers and leaders to actively challenge irresponsible practices. We argue that a form of moral reflexive practice drawing on an understanding of threshold concepts is central to responsible management, and provides a gateway to transformative learning. Our conceptual argument leads to implications for management and professional education. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

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  • Paul Hibbert & Ann Cunliffe, 2015. "Responsible Management: Engaging Moral Reflexive Practice Through Threshold Concepts," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 127(1), pages 177-188, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:127:y:2015:i:1:p:177-188
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1993-7
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    1. Steven Segal, 2011. "A Heideggerian Perspective on the Relationship Between Mintzberg’s Distinction Between Engaged and Disconnected Management: The Role of Uncertainty in Management," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 103(3), pages 469-483, October.
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    4. Thomas Maak, 2007. "Responsible Leadership, Stakeholder Engagement, and the Emergence of Social Capital," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 74(4), pages 329-343, September.
    5. Lynette Osiemo, 2012. "Developing Responsible Leaders: The University at the Service of the Person," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 108(2), pages 131-143, June.
    6. Karin Garrety, 2008. "Organisational Control and the Self: Critiques and Normative Expectations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 82(1), pages 93-106, September.
    7. Nicola Pless & Thomas Maak, 2011. "Responsible Leadership: Pathways to the Future," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 98(1), pages 3-13, January.
    8. Thomas Maak & Nicola M. Pless, 2006. "Responsible Leadership in a Stakeholder Society – A Relational Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 66(1), pages 99-115, June.
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    2. Janette Brunstein & Marta Fabiano Sambiase & Claudine Brunnquell, 2018. "An Assessment of Critical Reflection in Management Education for Sustainability: A Proposal on Content and Form of Shared Value Rationality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-25, June.
    3. Stephen Allen & Ann L. Cunliffe & Mark Easterby-Smith, 2019. "Understanding Sustainability Through the Lens of Ecocentric Radical-Reflexivity: Implications for Management Education," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 154(3), pages 781-795, February.
    4. Boyle, Erik S. & Mintchik, Natalia & Warne, Rick C., 2023. "When it pays to be a friend: Investigating nonprofessional investors' judgments toward CSR companies following an accounting restatement," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
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    6. John G. Cullen, 2020. "Varieties of Responsible Management Learning: A Review, Typology and Research Agenda," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 162(4), pages 759-773, April.
    7. Guénola Nonet & Kerul Kassel & Lucas Meijs, 2016. "Understanding Responsible Management: Emerging Themes and Variations from European Business School Programs," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 139(4), pages 717-736, December.
    8. Christian Hauser, 2020. "From Preaching to Behavioral Change: Fostering Ethics and Compliance Learning in the Workplace," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 162(4), pages 835-855, April.
    9. Rigolini, Alessandra & Gabaldon, Patricia & Le Bruyn Goldeng, Eskil, 2021. "CEO succession with gender change in troubled companies: The effect of a new woman CEO on firm risk and firm risk perceived," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 37(1).
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    11. Ivan Montiel & Peter Jack Gallo & Raquel Antolin-Lopez, 2020. "What on Earth Should Managers Learn About Corporate Sustainability? A Threshold Concept Approach," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 162(4), pages 857-880, April.
    12. Roy, Vivek & Silvestre, Bruno S. & Singh, Shubham, 2020. "Reactive and proactive pathways to sustainable apparel supply chains: Manufacturer's perspective on stakeholder salience and organizational learning toward responsible management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    13. Kathleen A. Tomlin & Matthew L. Metzger & Jill Bradley-Geist, 2021. "Removing the Blinders: Increasing Students’ Awareness of Self-Perception Biases and Real-World Ethical Challenges Through an Educational Intervention," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 169(4), pages 731-746, April.
    14. Emilien Jacob, 2023. "Quelle place pour la réflexivité dans l’apprentissage de la gestion de projet ? Étude du cas de la formation des ingénieurs généralistes," Post-Print hal-04424326, HAL.
    15. Louis W. Fry & Mai Chi Vu, 2024. "Leading Without a Self: Implications of Buddhist Practices for Pseudo-spiritual Leadership," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 190(1), pages 41-57, February.
    16. Martin Fougère & Nikodemus Solitander & Sanchi Maheshwari, 2020. "Achieving Responsible Management Learning Through Enriched Reciprocal Learning: Service-Learning Projects and the Role of Boundary Spanners," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 162(4), pages 795-812, April.
    17. Sorin-George Toma & Catalin Gradinaru, 2018. "Responsible Management For Sustainable Development: A Japanese Approach," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 3, pages 149-154, June.
    18. Christof Miska & Mark E. Mendenhall, 2018. "Responsible Leadership: A Mapping of Extant Research and Future Directions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(1), pages 117-134, March.
    19. Guler Aras & Paul F. Williams, 2022. "Integrated Reporting and Integrated Thinking: Proposing a Reporting Model That Induces More Responsible Use of Corporate Power," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-19, March.

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