Business and Management Practices Influenced by Catholic Humanism: Three Case Studies

Abstract

This chapter presents three cases studies which show how Catholic Humanism can be a source of inspiration in managing business. The first case study deals with a medium size company, the owner-manager of which has a solid Catholic education and a great sense of integrity and discipline. This company has high quality policies and practices in treatment of people, acting with justice, care and promoting the development of managers and employees. The second case study focuses on a small company that is organized according to the principles of the ‘economy of communion’. In this case, Christian humanism adopts particular characteristics of the Catholic Focolare movement. This is not merely reflected in particular management and business practices, but it pervades the company, as well as all of its internal and external relations. The third case relates how a retail company, created by a Catholic family, has grown rapidly to become a multinational corporation. During this process the influence of Christian humanism on business practices has evolved and become more indirect, but undeniably, the company has fostered a corporate culture of responsible business.