Skip to main content
Disciplines
Automotive Business IT + Informatics Construction + Real Estate Electrical Engineering + Electronics Energy + Sustainability Insurance + Risk Finance + Banking Management + Leadership Marketing + Sales Mechanical Engineering + Materials
Events
DE
EN
Books
Journals
Topic Page
Marketing
Start single access now
Access for companies
EXTENDED SEARCH
Log in
Top
Journal of Business Ethics
Published in: Journal of Business Ethics 4/2020

28-01-2020 | Editorial Essay

Values, Spirituality and Religion: Family Business and the Roots of Sustainable Ethical Behavior

Authors: Joseph H. Astrachan, Claudia Binz Astrachan, Giovanna Campopiano, Massimo Baù

Published in: Journal of Business Ethics | Issue 4/2020

Log in

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

The inclusion of morally binding values such as religious—or in a broader sense, spiritual—values fundamentally alter organizational decision-making and ethical behavior. Family firms, being a particularly value-driven type of organization, provide ample room for religious beliefs to affect family, business, and individual decisions. The influence that the owning family is able to exert on value formation and preservation in the family business makes religious family firms an incubator for value-driven and faith-led decision-making and behavior. They represent a particularly rich and relevant context to re-assess the relationship between ethical beliefs, decision-making processes and behaviors in business organizations at the interface between family and professional logics. This Special Issue is dedicated to deepening our understanding of the role religious values and spirituality play in the formation of organizational ethical practices in faith-led family firms and resulting organizational and family-related outcomes. In this editorial, we introduce the 10 papers included in this Special Issue, which investigate the relationship between religion or spirituality and family firm ethical behavior in various geographical, cultural and religious contexts, using a multitude of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. By focusing on the effects of religious or spiritual orientations on both the business and the family, as well as on the values, norms and goals present in the family business system, further research can gain a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between religious and spiritual believes, and sustainable ethical behavior in family firms.
next article How Religion Shapes Family Business Ethical Behaviors: An Institutional Logics Perspective

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 340 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Versicherung + Risiko




Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now
Literature
Adams, J. S., Taschian, A., & Shore, T. H. (1996). Ethics in family and non-family owned firms: An exploratory study. Family Business Review,9(2), 157–170.
Azouz, A., Antheaume, N., & Charles-Pauvers, B. (2020). An ethnography of fairness perceptions among non-family employees: Does religion matter? Journal of Family Business Strategy.
Balog, A. M., Baker, L. T., & Walker, A. G. (2014). Religiosity and spirituality in entrepreneurship: A review and research agenda. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion,11(2), 159–186.
Binz Astrachan, C., Ferguson, K. E., Pieper, T. M., & Astrachan, J. H. (2017). Family business goals, corporate citizenship behaviour and firm performance: Disentangling the connections. International Journal of Management and Enterprise Development,16(1–2), 34–56.
Blodgett, M. S., Dumas, C., & Zanzi, A. (2011). Emerging trends in global ethics: A comparative study of US and international family business values. Journal of Business Ethics,99(1), 29–38.
Campbell, L., Gulas, C. S., & Gruca, T. S. (1999). Corporate giving behavior and decision-maker social consciousness. Journal of Business Ethics,19(4), 375–383.
Cennamo, C., Berrone, P., Cruz, C., & Gomez-Mejia, L. R. (2012). Socioemotional wealth and proactive stakeholder engagement: Why family–controlled firms care more about their stakeholders. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice,36(6), 1153–1173.
Chrisman, J. J., Chua, J. H., Pearson, A. W., & Barnett, T. (2012). Family involvement, family influence, and family–centered non–economic goals in small firms. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice,36(2), 267–293.
Chua, J. H., Chrisman, J. J., & Sharma, P. (1999). Defining the family business by behavior. Entrepreneurship theory and practice,23(4), 19–39.
Copeland, M. K. (2014). The emerging significance of values based leadership: A literature review. International journal of leadership studies,8(2), 105.
Crossan, M., Mazutis, D., & Seijts, G. (2013). In search of virtue: The role of virtues, values and character strengths in ethical decision making. Journal of Business Ethics,113(4), 567–581.
Cruz, C., Larraza-Kintana, M., Garcés-Galdeano, L., & Berrone, P. (2014). Are family firms really more socially responsible? Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice,38(6), 1295–1316.
Daspit, J. J., Holt, D. T., Chrisman, J. J., & Long, R. G. (2016). Examining family firm succession from a social exchange perspective: A multiphase, multistakeholder review. Family Business Review,29(1), 44–64.
Davis, J. H., Allen, M. R., & Hayes, H. D. (2010). Is blood thicker than water? A study of stewardship perceptions in family business. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice,34(6), 1093–1116.
De Massis, A., Kotlar, J., Mazzola, P., Minola, T., & Sciascia, S. (2018). Conflicting selves: Family owners' multiple goals and self-control agency problems in private firms. Entrepreneurship theory and practice,42(3), 362–389.
Denison, D., Lief, C., & Ward, J. L. (2004). Culture in family-owned enterprises: Recognizing and leveraging unique strengths. Family Business Review,17(1), 61–70.
Discua Cruz, A. (2013). Christian family businesses: Opportunities for future research. Journal of Biblical Integration in Business,16(2), 7–28.
Distelberg, B., & Sorenson, R. L. (2009). Updating systems concepts in family businesses A focus on values, resource flows, and adaptability. Family Business Review,22(1), 65–81.
Driscoll, C., McIsaac, E. M., & Wiebe, E. (2019). The material nature of spirituality in the small business workplace: From transcendent ethical values to immanent ethical actions. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion,16(2), 155–177.
Fang, H., Van de Graaff Randolph, R., Chrisman, J. J., & Barnett, T. (2013). Firm religiosity, bounded stakeholder salience, and stakeholder relationships in family firms. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion,10(3), 253–270.
Ford, R. C., & Richardson, W. D. (1994). Ethical decision making: A review of the empirical literature. Journal of business ethics,13(3), 205–221.
Fritzsche, D., & Oz, E. (2007). Personal values’ influence on the ethical dimension of decision making. Journal of Business Ethics,75(4), 335–343.
García-Álvarez, E., & López-Sintas, J. (2001). A taxonomy of founders based on values: The root of family business heterogeneity. Family Business Review,14(3), 209–230.
Hammond, N. L., Pearson, A. W., & Holt, D. T. (2016). The quagmire of legacy in family firms: Definition and implications of family and family firm legacy orientations. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice,40(6), 1209–1231.
Hilary, G., & Hui, K. W. (2009). Does religion matter in corporate decision making in America? Journal of Financial Economics,93(3), 455–473.
Hill, P. C., Pargament, K. I., Hood, R. W., McCullough, J. M. E., Swyers, J. P., Larson, D. B., et al. (2000). Conceptualizing religion and spirituality: Points of commonality, points of departure. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour,30(1), 51–77.
Kellermanns, F. W. (2013). Spirituality and religion in family firms. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion,10(2), 112–115.
Kidwell, R. E., Kellermanns, F. W., & Eddleston, K. A. (2012). Harmony, justice, confusion, and conflict in family firms: Implications for ethical climate and the “Fredo effect”. Journal of Business Ethics,106(4), 503–517.
Kotlar, J., & De Massis, A. (2013). Goal setting in family firms: Goal diversity, social interactions, and collective commitment to family-centered goals. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice,37(6), 1263–1288.
La Porta, R., Lopez-de-Silanes, F., & Shleifer, A. (1999). Corporate ownership around the world. The Journal of Finance,54(2), 471–517.
Lewer, J. J., & Van den Berg, H. (2007). Religion and International Trade: Does the sharing of a religious culture facilitate the formation of trade networks? American Journal of Economics and Sociology,66(4), 765–794.
Loe, T. W., Ferrell, L., & Mansfield, P. (2000). A review of empirical studies assessing ethical decision making in business. Journal of Business Ethics,25(3), 185–204.
Madison, K., Holt, D. T., Kellermanns, F. W., & Ranft, A. L. (2016). Viewing family firm behavior and governance through the lens of agency and stewardship theories. Family Business Review,29(1), 65–93.
Marques, P., Presas, P., & Simon, A. (2014). The heterogeneity of family firms in CSR engagement: The role of values. Family Business Review,27(3), 206–227.
Naldi, L., Cennamo, C., Corbetta, G., & Gomez-Mejia, L. (2013). Preserving socioemotional wealth in family firms: Asset or liability? The moderating role of business context. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice,37(6), 1341–1360.
Olson, P. D., Zuiker, V. S., Danes, S. M., Stafford, K., Heck, R. K., & Duncan, K. A. (2003). The impact of the family and the business on family business sustainability. Journal of business venturing,18(5), 639–666.
Paterson, T. A., Specht, D., & Duchon, D. (2013). Exploring costs and consequences of religious expression in family businesses. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion,10(2), 138–158.
Patten, D. M. (2008). Does the market value corporate philanthropy? Evidence from the response to the 2004 tsunami relief effort. Journal of Business Ethics,81(3), 599–607.
Pirson, M., Martin, K., & Parmar, B. (2017). Formation of stakeholder trust in business and the role of personal values. Journal of Business Ethics,145(1), 1–20.
Ravasi, D., & Lojacono, G. (2005). Managing design and designers for strategic renewal. Long Range Planning,38(1), 51–77.
Soleimanof, S., Rutherford, M. W., & Webb, J. W. (2018). The intersection of family firms and institutional contexts: A review and agenda for future research. Family Business Review,31(1), 32–53.
Sorenson, R. L. (2013). How moral and social values become embedded in family firms. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion,10(2), 116–137.
Stead, W. E., Worrell, D. L., & Stead, J. G. (1990). An integrative model for understanding and managing ethical behavior in business organizations. Journal of Business Ethics,9(3), 233–242.
Top, J. (2019). Spirituality: The core of leadership. Marine Corps Gazette,103(8), 66–69.
Treviño, L. K., Weaver, G. R., & Reynolds, S. J. (2006). Behavioral ethics in organizations: A review. Journal of Management,32(6), 951–990.
Vallejo, M. C. (2009). The effects of commitment of non-family employees of family firms from the perspective of stewardship theory. Journal of Business Ethics,87(3), 379–390.
Vazquez, P. (2016). Family business ethics: At the crossroads of business ethics and family business. Journal of Business Ethics,150(3), 1–19.
Wang, G., & Hackett, R. D. (2016). Conceptualization and measurement of virtuous leadership: Doing well by doing good. Journal of Business Ethics,137(2), 321–345.
Wicks, A. (2014). Stakeholder theory and spirituality. Journal of Management, Spirituality & Religion,11(4), 294–306.
Yusof, M., Mohd Nor, L., & Edward Hoopes, J. (2014). Virtuous CSR: An Islamic family business in Malaysia. Journal of Family Business Management,4(2), 133–148.
Metadata
Title
Values, Spirituality and Religion: Family Business and the Roots of Sustainable Ethical Behavior
Authors
Joseph H. Astrachan
Claudia Binz Astrachan
Giovanna Campopiano
Massimo Baù
Publication date
28-01-2020
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Journal of Business Ethics / Issue 4/2020
Print ISSN: 0167-4544
Electronic ISSN: 1573-0697
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04392-5

Other articles of this Issue 4/2020

Journal of Business Ethics 4/2020 Go to the issue

Original Paper

How Religion Shapes Family Business Ethical Behaviors: An Institutional Logics Perspective

Original Paper

Spirituality and Corporate Philanthropy in Indian Family Firms: An Exploratory Study

Original Paper

Value-Enhancing Social Responsibility: Market Reaction to Donations by Family vs. Non-family Firms with Religious CEOs

Original Paper

Family Firms’ Religious Identity and Strategic Renewal

Original Paper

Exploring a Faith-Led Open-Systems Perspective of Stewardship in Family Businesses

Original Paper

The Effects of Spiritual Leadership in Family Firms: A Conservation of Resources Perspective