Human Foundations of Management

Management always entails a certain vision of the human being, along with a view of the nature and purpose of the business firm and society. This is evident from the very beginnings of management studies. So far, in practice, many scholars have focused on individual and collective human behavior, rather than in what an individual is. Their work was supported by various social sciences, chiefly psychology, sociology and economics, disregarding Barnard's questions, which are more philosophical than scientific. Human Foundations of Management explores the human foundation of management and economic activity in a way that is accessible to readers. This volume is divided into two parts. The first, entitled 'The Idea of the Human Being,' seeks to review that idea in management and economic activities, and how science, religions and philosophy convey their respective understandings. The second, 'Fundamentals of a Philosophy of the Person', begins with an overview of human nature and the uniqueness of every person, discussing certain traits which make humans similar to, but above all different from, other beings. The structure and contents of this book examines those aspects of the human being which are relevant to management and economic activities.