Banded Contracts, Mediating Institutions, and Corporate Governance: A Naturalist Analysis of Contractual Theories of the Firm

Fort and Noone relate business ethics to notions of transcendence found in nature and anthropology. They address the notion of contracts within corporate legal theory because contracts are used as a model both by those who advocate minimalist, agency business duties and by others who propound a broad business ethic

Adapting Corporate Governance for Sustainable Peace

In previous work, we argued that there is a link between corporate governance and the reduction of violence. In this manuscript, we further explore that link with a focus on how corporations can work toward the goal of reduction of violence in the societies in which they operate. Here, we pose the question of how well suited various corporate governance regimes are to face these complexities, and how they can do so in ways that are consistent with their fundamental principles. We focus on the corporate governance regimes of the United States, Germany and Japan. A common denominator of the political entities addressed is a commitment to a political regime of democracy. Section I outlines our thesis that corporations are in a position to make contributions to peace in society because of shifting political balances of power. It elaborates with the idea that our contemporary world has shifted from traditional balance of power conceptions in terms of the near universal embrace of parliamentary democracy requiring some reformulated description of the optimal relations among democracy, peace, and globalization. This section establishes the general parameters of the argument that democracy and peace are linked and that there are serious charges that globalization works against democracy and thereby threatens the sustainability of peace. Section II analyzes comparative models of corporate governance and considers the extent to which contemporary corporate governance models look to peace and workplace security as aims they should achieve. Concluding remarks follow in Section III.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/39917/3/wp532.pd

ECOLOGY AND VIOLENCE: THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSIONS OF WAR

Research reported by Thomas Homer-Dixon characterizes five social effects that can significantly increase the likelihood of violence in the emerging world, effects that are far deeper than can be controlled by security forces: (1) constrained agricultural production, often in ecologically marginal regions; (2) constrained economic productivity, mainly affecting people who are highly dependent on environmental resources and who are ecologically and economically marginal; (3) migration of these affected people in search of better lives; (4) greater segmentation of society, usually along existing ethnic cleavages; and (5) disruption of institutions, especially the state.1 These kinds of social effects create tensions that can erupt in violent expression. It is difficult to envision how additional security forces will solve the embedded social problems that link violence with economic, social, ethnic, and even religious frustrations. This manuscript seeks to address these concerns. Part I elaborates ways in which these issues of violence manifest themselves in a globalized economy. Part II discusses the business implications of these tensions and suggests a way in which business can be a mediating actor to lessen these tensions. Part III concludes with a suggestion for a recharacterization of the corporation in a way to sensitize it to the ecological-mindedness necessary to address the potential issues of violence in societies. We propose sustainable peace as an aim to which businesses should orient their actions both for reasons of the good of avoiding the activities that contribute to the spilling of blood as well as for the good of sustainable economic enterprises, which are fostered by stable, peaceful relationships. Thus, business must do what it does best and address economic development, even in terms of the extraction of natural resources. But it must also be attentive to the rights of others, to the development of community and meaning, and to stop violence when it is likely. Given the dangers ecological stresses pose for the planet, it is hard to think of a more compelling reason to reorient business behavior.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/40084/3/wp698.pd

Adapting Corporate Governance for Sustainable Peace

In previous work, we argued that there is a link between corporate governance and the reduction of violence. In this manuscript, we further explore that link with a focus on how corporations can work toward the goal of reduction of violence in the societies in which they operate. Here, we pose the question of how well suited various corporate governance regimes are to face these complexities, and how they can do so in ways that are consistent with their fundamental principles. We focus on the corporate governance regimes of the United States, Germany and Japan. A common denominator of the political entities addressed is a commitment to a political regime of democracy. Section I outlines our thesis that corporations are in a position to make contributions to peace in society because of shifting political balances of power. It elaborates with the idea that our contemporary world has shifted from traditional balance of power conceptions in terms of the near universal embrace of parliamentary democracy requiring some reformulated description of the optimal relations among democracy, peace, and globalization. This section establishes the general parameters of the argument that democracy and peace are linked and that there are serious charges that globalization works against democracy and thereby threatens the sustainability of peace. Section II analyzes comparative models of corporate governance and considers the extent to which contemporary corporate governance models look to peace and workplace security as aims they should achieve. Concluding remarks follow in Section III.corporate governance, comparative law, business ethics, peace, democracy, globalization

Business and Naturalism

Bill Frederick’s work calls on business ethicists to consider religion as well as nature. Because there are naturally wired religious impulses in human beings and because of the fairness of including normative approaches meaningful for business people, Frederick suggests that the “R” in CSR4 should represent religion. This article takes up the theme in terms of the emerging field of naturalist theology, particularly (although embryonically) as stated by theologian Paul Tillich. Doing so creates (a) connections between “God as Life” and nature and (b) linkages of the notions of symbol, culture, and transcendence. In addition to avoiding the socalled “naturalistic fallacy,” this integration can foster ethical business behavior.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66505/2/10.1177_000765039903800208.pd