Towards the Integration of Individual and Moral Agencies

Abstract

One prominent solution offered to the problem of business ethics suggests giving individual members of organizations greater autonomy and moral agency (e.g. Ranken, 1987). Although this suggestion has considerable merit, the nature of the relationship between individual moral agency and organizational moral agency is more complex than has been widely recognized. The following paper provides a theoretical framework for evaluating the relationship between organizational and individual agency by arguing that the apparent dichotomy and conflict between the two forms of moral agency can be more usefully conceptualized in non-dichotomous and integrative terms. Such a view has considerable potential for stimulating consideration of how each form might contribute to and complement the other in order that the moral functioning of both be maximized. The desirability of such integration is discussed along with the barriers that must be overcome in order that the resulting benefits be realized.