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MM 5001

Business Law and Business Ethics

Corporate Spiritualism Business Ethics and Company Growth-

29111311 Haidir Afesina

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

INSTITUT TEKNOLOGI BANDUNG

2012

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However, some argue that to linking religion and corporation is impossible thing. Religion is

sacred and business is mundane. In this modern life, the philosophy of life from west has

successfully spread to the world i.e. Materialism and Capitalism. The most important of

business is the financially growth and profit oriented. In contrast, those who believe based on

survey said that religion help the business to create a culture mindset of the company. The

mindset of educate, enlighten and empowering the community with system and technology

that create meaningful spiritually work life and boost the company performance. It also treat

the customer with fair and encourage citizenship.

The challenge of the Japanese Corporation is that they slowly forget the Gods and the

spiritual values. The science and technology has becoming the new absolute god. Means the

focus is in innovation. Thus, it became the most important factor to achieve greatness.

However, it is believed that they will become more sustainable only if they refer to Buddhism

spirit that focusing in people. The Buddhism teaching or training build the morality, mental

culture and wisdom that will motivate the people. The motivation of people at work is

important to achieve the goal. Therefore the company has to back to their Buddhism root

philosophy i.e. moral principle through teaching and develop spirit. Of course, there is no

guarantee that an individual raised in, or a business organization will be successfully growth.

The philosophy will build the organization that has social soul with good morality of the

employee and god managerial ethics. Therefore through Buddha way (teaching and develop

spirit), it is linking to feedback management system. The feedback management systems are,

planning, implementation, reflection, information, environment, and strategy. Linked it

through evaluation every day on morning briefing by applying the Roku nen. The concept of

Roku nen is a six prayers question of evaluating our day and has faith to the Gods before

everyday activities.

4. Lessons Learned

4.1 The concepts of Kami or Gods

Becoming an expert in a field is likely to be thought of as reaching the stage of Kami (agodlike state). Whatever job people take, if they reach the Kamistage or even if they make astrong effort to it, others will respect them. Therefore it is common those Japanese

corporations are competing to reach the Kami and even create their own Kami to be

respected, such as Toyota. They created the just in time and kaizen culture in order to be

competitive and growth with their innovation (science and technology).

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In contrast with Duskin company that reach the Kami stage with religious aspects. Duskin is

the example of successful Japanese company that grow successfully both of financially and

spiritual. They applied the religious culture to be the core of the company ideology. The

company motivates the employee and encourages the happy life through service, positive

attitudes toward work, volunteerism and appreciation of God-given life. Thus it benefits their

own good and the good of society.

In summary, some of the Buddhism spirit in business context can be listed as below;

Personal self satisfaction Sell only what is good for you, me and others

Profit taking Make money to do more good for others

Business as career Business should have meaning, leave good

mark on society

Ethical leadership Integrity, trust and right livelihood in

capitalism

Business in society Life is cycle, training and educate the

employee and people

Corporate social responsibility Engages in the circle of society, giving those

in needs