Values, Nature, and Culture in the American Corporation (Ruffin Series in Business Ethics) [Paperback]

William C. Frederick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0195096746 | ISBN-13: 978-0195096743

In Values, Nature, and Culture in the American Corporation, distinguished ethicist William Frederick explores issues of fundamental importance to all who aspire to conduct their business affairs ethically. He begins with an examination of the three value systems in business that are basically incompatible, and therefore in constant tension. The first is the need for managers to efficiently allocate resources for maximum profits. The second is the natural tendency for managers, in pursuit of the first goal, to accumulate power for its own sake. The third is the desire for people in the community to create relationships that will perpetuate these communities. Frederick brings in a range of ideas and concepts from the social sciences as well as the natural sciences to illuminate his discussion. In the final section of the book he explores a range of issues of current concern to managers, including corporate culture and technology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The author's task is to explain the values that drive business, especially those individualistic, self-focused values that seem so intransigently opposed to the sustenance of a quality community life. This problem has been taken up by many other scholars in the past, but none has brought to it the grand vision, intellectual claritu, and sense-making that Frderick gives us in this work. I recommend slow, savory, intense reading to get the full benefit of what Frederick has done for us."--Business & Society

"...A very well organized, clear, interesting, useful, and comprehensive book on the nature of business decision making and behavior in the context of a theory of business values that he develops."--Academy of Management Review

"...a masterwork by a scholar long interested in studying business organizations as social systems and ethical environments...a facinating journey..."--Ethics

About the Author

William C. Frederick is at University of Pittsburgh.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 21, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195096746
• ISBN-13: 978-0195096743
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,483,841 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important Book, July 25, 1999

By 

W. David Bayless - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Values, Nature, and Culture in the American Corporation (Ruffin Series in Business Ethics) (Paperback)

Don't be put off by the title, the bland cover, or that it's part of a series in business ethics. This is a terrific and provocative book! Frederick offers a compelling framework for understanding the conflicts among the values centered on the essential economizing function of business; ecology; and the inherent power-aggrandizement of the corporation. The thesis presented here challanges both anti-business environmental elites as well as corporate apologists.

1.0 out of 5 stars A self-important piece of junk!, November 25, 2009

By 

Poor MBA Student (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Values, Nature, and Culture in the American Corporation (Ruffin Series in Business Ethics) (Paperback)

Without a doubt, one of the worst textbooks I have ever read. His style of writing reeks of self-importance. I guess he's trying to impress us with his intelligence. I am required to read this as part of an MBA program. While I fully support a discussion of values as part of an MBA program, this book has absolutely no relevance to today's business world, and universities that choose this as part of the cirriculum are doing their students a dis-service.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ground-breaking, excellent read, April 30, 2008

By 

James Weber - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Values, Nature, and Culture in the American Corporation (Ruffin Series in Business Ethics) (Paperback)

Dr. Frederick provides an excellent, well-crafted view of values within a business-government-society context that is ground-breaking and thoughtful. An excellent read for college students, business managers, and the general public.

Dr. James Weber
Professor of Business Ethics and Management