The question of organizational consciousness: Can organizations have values, virtues and visions?

Authors
Citation
P. Pruzan, The question of organizational consciousness: Can organizations have values, virtues and visions?, J BUS ETHIC, 29(3), 2001, pp. 271-284
Citations number
16
Categorie Soggetti
Economics
Journal title
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS ETHICS
ISSN journal
01674544 → ACNP
Volume
29
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
271 - 284
Database
ISI
SICI code
0167-4544(200102)29:3<271:TQOOCC>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
It is common for organizational theorists as well as business practitioners to speak of an organization's visions, strategies, goals and responsibilit ies. This implies that collectivities have competencies normally attributed to individuals, i.e. to reflect, evaluate, learn and make considered choic es. The article provides a series of reflections on the concept of consciou sness in an organizational context. It is argued that, under certain condit ions, it is both meaningful and efficacious to ascribe the competency for c onscious and intentional behavior to organizations. The arguments provided are based on empirical observations, common sense and deductive reasoning.