IESE Business School

The global aim of the Chair of Business Ethics is to overcome the longstanding conceptual separation between ethics and economic and business activities by developing ways to effectively integrate ethics into managerial activity and business organizations. To this end, it seeks to analyze the theoretical foundations and the interrelationship between ethics and economic activity. In addition, it studies and develops practical aspects of business activity by taking an in-depth look at the development of company cultures; the study and prevention of corruption; the relationships between business and society; as well as ethical, social and cultural aspects of economic globalization and business performance in developing countries.

The Chair focuses on six main lines of research:

• Philosophy of Economy, Business and Management. The Chair researches the underlying philosophical foundations of economic systems, management, organizational design, administration theory and business practices. The research examines the works of classical and contemporary scholars who have made a significant contribution to business administration and the projects take an epistemological, anthropological, ethical, and sociological approach in line with their schools of thought.

• Humanism and Company Cultures. Company cultures are expressed by beliefs, shared values and common practices. These cultures are the result of a combination of several factors including leadership, commitment, and individual virtues of team members, especially with regards to senior directors. In addition, corporate values and mission statements influence the creation and implementation of company codes of conduct. This line of research studies organizational cultures, mainly those inspired by humanism.

• Christian Ethics in Economy, Business and Management. Christianity, which is at the root of western civilization, has made significant moral and social contributions to a variety of different fields including business. The Chair's aim is to study this tradition and to relate it to the current situation of business, paying particular attention to Catholic Social Thought. Christian spirituality in management is also included in this research line.

• Ethical Issues in Business and Management. This line of research aims to study the various aspects of corporate governance and general management from an ethical viewpoint. It also studies specific ethical issues related to the management of people, finance, accounting, marketing, operations and information technologies.

• The Relationship between Business and Society. The objective of this line of research is to better understand the nature and mission of the company, the relationship between business and society, and the corresponding responsibilities that companies have to society. The research looks at theoretical foundations, practical implementation and the creation of social capital.

• International Management, Globalization and Solidarity. International management, present an increasing importance and new ethical issues and responsibilities are emerging. In addition, economic globalization poses serious problems that affect working conditions and work distribution, corruption, the environment, handling cultural and religious differences, human rights, and above all, global solidarity. This line of research analyzes and proposes ethical standards with regards to the problems derived from international management, globalization and other circumstances that companies must face when operating in developing countries.

The Chair of Business Ethics is held by Prof. Domènec Melé.

Prof. Melé holds a Ph. D. in Industrial Engineering from Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain and Doctorate degree in Theology from University of Navarra, Spain.

Currently, he is Professor of Business Ethics at IESE Business School. Previously, (until 1986) he was professor of Chemical Technology at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain and Technology of Materials in the University of Navarra, Spain. 

Since 1991, he has chaired the biennial International Symposium on “Ethics, Business and Society” organized by IESE and focused on the advancement of the integration of ethics within business and management.

He is the author of three books on economic and business ethics and social ethics (in Spanish) and has edited ten books (in Spanish), which include ethics in marketing and finance, work and family, ethics and entrepreneurship, moral leadership, and some other topics. In addition, he has written 20 case studies (IESE Publishing) and about 50 articles in journals and chapters in his areas of specialty.

He serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Business Ethics, Philosophy of Management and La Società. He is active in taking part in academic events on economic and business ethics and corporate social responsibility.

Currently the activities of the chair are focused on:

1. Research projects related to:
• Integrating Ethics in Management and Organizations
• Theoretical Foundations of Corporate Social Responsibility
• Case studies on Humanizing Organizational Cultures

2. Doctoral dissertations in process
• Corporate Social Responsibilities and Social Capital (E. Garriga)
• Ethics in Corporate Governance (P. Regojo)
• Philosophical Foundations of Ecology (S. Albareda)

3. Symposium on Ethics, Business and Society
The Chair organizes a biennial symposium that brings together professors and researchers from a variety of specializations as well as business people, executives and other professionals in order to advance the integration of ethics in business and society. Current edition 

4. Conference participation
Those who collaborate with the Chair are active participants in national and international conferences with the aim of disseminating their work. Conferences which are regularly attended include those organized by the Society for Business Ethics (USA), Academy of Management, Social Issues Management Division (USA), European Business Ethics Network (Europe), Management Education and Catholic Social Thought (Worldwide) and Ética, Economía y Dirección (Ethics, Economics and Management, Spain). 

5. Regular sessions within IESE's Continuous Education Program

6. Publications
Publications of the chair include books, chapters in books, scientific articles, case studies, technical notes, monographs and newspaper and magazine articles.

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