Disinterested Management: An Early Example of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Philip Talbot

doi:10.11114/ijsss.v3i5.960

Abstract

Disinterested management appears to be the antithesis of modern management theory. The word disinterest conveys a lack of concern whereas modern management involves being active controlling and administering the organisation towards success. Yet this management theory which originated in nineteenth century Sweden embraces an acknowledgment of corporate social responsibility in order to mitigate the anti-social consequences of the alcohol trade. This theory was successfully applied in managing the operations of the British nationalized brewery the State Management Scheme at Carlisle from 1916 until 1974 when it was sold off to the private brewing sector. In an era of witnessing the anti-social consequences of insobriety the innovative lessons of disinterested management can offer solutions for balancing both profit motives and social objectives.

Highlights

Disinterested management appears to be the antithesis of modern management theory
The disinterested management theory was internationally well known from the latter part of the nineteenth and the earlier part of the twentieth centuries where it was linked to the management of the liquor trade
Disinterested management in the liquor trade became regarded as the exercise of impartial management to improve sobriety and to reduce associated social problems

Summary

Introduction

The word disinterest conveys a lack of concern whereas modern management involves being active controlling and administering the organisation towards success. This management theory which originated in nineteenth century Sweden embraces an acknowledgment of corporate social responsibility in order to mitigate the anti-social consequences of the alcohol trade. Disinterested management in the liquor trade became regarded as the exercise of impartial management to improve sobriety and to reduce associated social problems It may be regarded as a recognition of an early form of CSR obligations to the wider society in which the corporate liquor trade operated. The author has further contended that these curiosities of management history are worthy of obtaining a better management understanding of contemporary issues (Talbot, 2003a, Talbot, 2003b)

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