Human Foundations of Management ― Understanding the Homo Humanus

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.

Domenec Mele is professor and Chair of Business Ethics at IESE Business School, University of Navarra in Spain. Over the last 25 years, he has taught and written extensively on areas related to Business Ethics. He has authored, co-authored or edited 14 books, including Business Ethics in Action (Palgrave, 2009), Management Ethics (Palgrave, 2012) and Human Development in Business (Palgrave, 2012). In addition, he has published over 60 scientific chapters and articles in referred journals and some 20 case studies. Since 1991, he has served as chairperson of the IESE International Symposia on Ethics, Business and Society. Currently, Prof. Mele serves as section editor of Journal of Business Ethics and on several editorial boards of referred journals. His interest in the foundations of ethics and management leads him to focus on a better knowledge of the human person.

Cesar Gonzalez Canton is Assistant Professor at CUNEF–Universidad Complutense of Madrid. He graduated as MBA from IESE Business School and holds a PhD in Philosophy (2004) from Universidad Complutense. He was appointed as Research Fellow of the Business Ethics Chair at IESE. In addition, he has taught at the University of Navarra and Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Spain, and has published in the Journal of Business Ethics and various philosophical publications. His current interests are broad and tend towards the philosophy of economics and management.