Taking Heidegger as its guiding philosophy, this book develops a much-needed philosophical foundation to the field of management as an academic discipline. It tackles two fundamental questions: 'What is a corporation?' and 'what is corporate management?'

The book develops a philosophical foundation to the field of management education using the work of Martin Heidegger as a guiding philosophy. It asks the questions 'what is a corporation?' and 'what is corporate management?' These two questions are foundational for management thought in general and management ethics in particular. Most other academic fields are in some way defined and guided by a philosophical discourse. This philosophical discourse is largely missing in the field of management thought and education. Without this foundation it can never be clear what actually belongs into a certain academic discipline and what does not. It also therefore lacks a sound and well articulated ontological foundation critical for developing approaches to ethical management. This book seeks to fill this gap and consequently represents an interdisciplinary effort between the academic field of management/business administration and philosophy, which is vital for business ethics. Intended as required reading for an elective on philosophy of management that is offered annually at the Wits Business School / University of the Witwatersrand / Johannesburg. The structure of the course will be largely based on the structure of the book.

First ontological inquiry of its kind to be conducted Breaks new ground in providing an ontologically articulated foundation for business ethics Provides a new starting point for management development and education

Klappentext
The book develops a philosophical foundation to the field of management as an academic discipline using the work of Martin Heidegger as a guiding philosophy. It asks the questions 'what is a corporation?' and 'what is corporate management?' These two questions are foundational for management thought in general and management ethics in particular. Most other academic fields are in some way defined and guided by a philosophical discourse. This philosophical discourse is largely missing in the field of management thought and education. Without this foundation it can never be clear what actually belongs into a certain academic discipline and what does not. It also therefore lacks a sound and well articulated ontological foundation critical for developing approaches to ethical management. This book seeks to fill this gap and consequently represents an interdisciplinary effort between the academic field of management/business administration and philosophy, which is vital for business ethics.

Inhalt
Acknowledgements.- Table of Contents.- Note on Translations and System of Abbreviations.- Introduction.- Heidegger's Typology of Entities and the Very Nature of the Corporation.- The Corporation as Technological Work and the Nature of Management.- Coming to Terms With the Corporation.- Towards the Enterprise as an Original Work.- Conclusion.-References.- Index.