BUSINESS ETHICS AND CORPORET GOVERNENCE indianism and indian management

Tara Ali Beig

Indianism and Indian

management Indianism means using Indian civilization

experience and intellectual traditions to develop more relevant knowledge base and culturally relevant theories. Intellectual tradition is very vast. Certain broad streams of thought can be identified and viewed as mini paradigms, which would serve as a basis for developing new ideas in the fields of relevant theories-social, management and development.

Indian intellectual traditions: Nine major different Indian intellectual traditions have been identified, which provides a number of concepts, frameworks and ideas to the world of management. Each tradition may differ depending upon the assumptions about the nature of man and his interrelationship with

state, society and ecosystem, which have created implications for administrators/managers

Indian intellectual traditions

1. Arthashatra. 2. Vedantic/psycho-spiritual. 3. Liberation from oppression

(LIFO)/Sharman. 4. Cyad vada (multiple perspective) 5. Gandhian. 6. Communism. 7. Confluncism. 8. Cultural nationalism. 9. OSHO.

1. Arthasastra tradition: Artha means wealth or manorial

advancement. Kautilya is the architect of arthasastra who gave primary to materialistic dimension. It contains a no of management ideas. It recognizes the existence of the “law of fish” know as “matra nayaya”. Where the stronger would swallow the weak is recognized. Kautilya provides a systematic treatment of management and provides ideas that appeal to modern day administrators/managers. -Logical procedures and principles in respect of labor organization. -Wages paid, strictly in terms of quantity and quality of work. -Punishments for unnecessary delaying or spoiling the work. -Provides excellent insight to personnel management, job description, and qualifications for jobs, selection procedure, execution development, incentive systems and performance evaluation.

Kautilya’s contribution is considered one of the most comprehensive works on organization and management of human affairs. 2.vedantic/psycophilosophical tradition:

It deals with divinity-oriented view of human nature. - “Githa” provides an ideal of karma yoga,

a basis for human action. Each person has the potential of infinity: it is possible to harness this potential at the level of each individual.

- In the modern age, Ramakrishna paramahamsa and swami Vivekananda, are considered as major contributors to psycophilosphical tradition. According to them, each soul is potentially divine: the goal of life is to manifest the divinity within through work or work ship. This tradition emphasizes the value-based approach to management and administration. It goes beyond the dictum

of “doing things right” and put emphasis on “doing the right things”.

3.Liberation from oppression:(LIFO)

Great saints are the contributors this tradition, social reformers n=have drawn their ideas from this tradition. Survival of the weakest and survival of all life norms-human and non-human-is the key concern. It reflects the spiritualistic and humanistic concern. Here life means liberation from exploitation. When work place becomes oppressive, the need for liberation from oppression becomes vital.

4. Sydavada (multiple perspective) Theory of relativity of knowledge. As per Jain tradition. The ‘syad’ or viewing from particular viewpoint is not enough, but also related other viewpoint is essential for arriving at the final conclusion. Hence, problem must be viewed from multiple perspective-recognizing multidimensionality of the problem.

5. Gandhian tradition:(based on theory of contentment) -Overall happiness or contentment is the key to balanced human progress. There is enough for everybody’s need. -He criticized modernization, and gave number of ideas that could serve as an ideology for humanizing the work place. -Provides a basis for the development of human character-as a means of preventing value erosion in society. -Emphasizes on humanistic and harmonic approach towards human and social development. -Swadesi as a basis for economic self-reliance.

6.Communism: It considers ‘common man’ as the pillar of social drive. Implies changes in the government policies, as well as functioning of the government. Under the directorship of the masses. It suggests a holistic view of development. Seen from the common mans perspective in order to create a humanistic and eco-friendly civilization.

7.Confluencism: Confluence is meeting point (sang am) Rig-Veda says that” let noble thoughts come to us from every side”. Implies a creation of new ideas as a result of interaction with different ideas. Emphasizes the ability to assimilate ideas and transform them creatively-give and take processes between various cultures. Without and explicit or implicit dominance, means a two way process of flow of ideas.

8. Cultural nationalism: It is a social-psychological worldview based

on the concept of a nations culture and self-dignity as a basis for societies regeneration. Gives primary to the cultural dimension and long civilization experiences for periodic and self-dignity of the individual society.

9.OSHO tradition: This tradition is, ideas of Rajneesh who

rejected most of the current ideas of worldview about man, state and society. He emphasized on futuristic vision and hope for transformation of society –now man who is an enlightened being, capable of realizing his full potential by liberation himself from the innumerable programming techniques invented by modern society. OSHO literature is very vast and controversial.

Conclusion: Each tradition:

- Have positive and negative aspects. - Antagonism exists between them. - Provides conflicting viewpoints. - Is historically rooted. - Evolution is linked to socio-cultural

contexts and social issues. - Still can contribute something.

Suggestions: -Pick up ideas from various traditions. -Attempt to arrive at an overall framework for social, management and development theories. -Indianic framework could be viewed in terms of various interrelated key theories like: 1.economic theory of Swedish or economic self-reliance. 2.political theory of people power. 3.spiritual theory of oneness of all religions. 4.ethical theory of dharma. 5.work ethic theory of swadharma or excellence in work. 6.kautilyas social justice theory of matsya natya or protection of the weak. 7.social relationship theory of mutuality. 8.socil responsibility theory of liberty coupled with duty. 9.cultura theory of confluences’ or meeting point.