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Moral Agency in Charities and Business Corporations: Exploring the Constraints of Law and Regulation

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  • Eleanor Burt

    (University of St. Andrews)

  • Samuel Mansell

    (University of St. Andrews)

Abstract

For centuries in the UK and elsewhere, charities have been widely regarded as admirable and virtuous organisations. Business corporations, by contrast, have been characterised in the popular imagination as entities that lack a capacity for moral judgement. Drawing on the philosophical literature on the moral agency of organisations, we examine how the law shapes the ability of charities and business corporations headquartered in England to exercise moral agency. Paradoxically, we find that charities are legally constrained in exercising moral agency in ways in which business corporations are not. Implications for charities and business corporations are then explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleanor Burt & Samuel Mansell, 2019. "Moral Agency in Charities and Business Corporations: Exploring the Constraints of Law and Regulation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(1), pages 59-73, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:159:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-017-3750-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-017-3750-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kristina Auxtova & Mary Brennan & Stephen Dunne, 2021. "To Be or Not to Be Governed Like That? Harmful and/or Offensive Advertising Complaints in the United Kingdom’s (Self-) Regulatory Context," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 172(3), pages 425-446, September.

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