Scholarly Works

Where does business theory meet business practice? What happens when the pursuit of profit and the pursuit of meaningful purpose intersect? Explore an array of scholarship inspired by Another Way of Doing Business, the SPU School of Business and Economics' unique business-as-service philosophy, and focused on the integration of faith and ethics in the world of business.

Gary Karns, Ph.D..

SPU Professor of Marketing; Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
Biography

G. Karns (2011). "Stewardship: A New Vision for the Purpose of Business." Corporate Governance Journal. 11:4.

  • Corporate Governance Journal
  • Refereed Publication
  • Abstract
    1. Purpose
      • A new vision for the purpose of business is vitally and urgently needed for emerging and developed markets to replace the shareholder wealth maximization paradigm which has contributed to contemporary ethics scandals creating a credibility and trust crisis for business. In response, this paper presents the Stewardship Model, a new, humane, and sustainable vision for the role of business as a contributor to human flourishing.
    2. Approach
      • This conceptual paper builds on the thinking of those who have championed various reformulated paradigms in pursuit of responsible business behavior.
    3. Findings
      • The center of economic gravity is shifting towards emerging markets. During this time of transition there is both a window of opportunity and an urgent need to change the social contract with business to achieve human flourishing, a more desirable goal than mere economic growth. Efforts to promote virtuous personal and corporate behavior need the mutually reinforcing element of a new business paradigm. The Stewardship Model casts business in the role of being a responsible steward contributing to the well-being of customers, employees and the community; acting with positive ethics; and, partnering with other social institutions for the common good.
    4. Implications
      • Business people and business educators should give the Stewardship Model serious consideration.
    5. Value
      • The paper offers a new paradigm for business that aligns with human flourishing and fits the emerging market context. Adopting this new vision will help to re-write the social contract under which business operates and to rebuild business credibility and trust in emerging and in developed markets.

G. Karns. "Alternate Views on the Purpose of Business: A resource for business ethics instruction Global Conference on Business & Economics. October, 2010. Rome, Italy.

  • Global Conference on Business & Economics
  • Proceedings
  • Abstract
    • This paper provides an instructional resource for business educators to help frame an interaction with students on the purpose of business which will contribute to the development of their business philosophy and their perspectives on business ethics. It is offered as a response to growing calls for a reformed vision on the purpose of business in the wake of numerous ethics scandals associated with the shareholder wealth maximization paradigm. This paper gives a concise overview of the tenets and critiques of the shareholder, stakeholder, and stewardship paradigms and compares their underlying worldviews and their approaches to business ethics. It poses questions for student reflection on the purpose of business and their preferences for the different paradigms.

G. Karns. "A New Vision for the Purpose of Business: Human Flourishing in emerging economies." European Academy of Business in Society. September 2010. St. Petersburg, Russia.

  • European Academy of Business in Society
  • Proceedings
  • Abstract
    • The need for a renewed understanding of the purpose of business, especially within the context of emerging economies is identified. Human flourishing is posed as a more desirable goal than mere economic growth in emerging economies. The Stewardship/“Another Way of Doing Business” (STW/AWDB) approach to the purpose of business is explored as an alternative paradigm for business. STW/AWDB proposes that business is to contribute to human flourishing by serving customers, employees, and the community (Van Duzer et al, 2007) and that managers are stewards having an affirmative duty to pursue this purpose responsibly and ethically. It is intended to encourage the development of a more noble vision of business and to provide a stronger footing for CSR and business ethics in both developed and developing economies.

G. Karns. "Alternate Views on the Purpose of Business: A Resource for Marketing Ethics Education." Marketing Educators' Assn. Seattle WA. April, 2010. Marketing Educators’ Association

  • Proceedings
  • Abstract
    • Recent ethical lapses of businesses have raised concerns about the shareholder wealth maximization (SWM) paradigm and many have prompted business schools to re-think their teaching about the purpose of business. In response, this paper compares the worldviews of the shareholder, stakeholder, and stewardship paradigms and their implications for marketing.

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