Integrity and consensus: A Christian perspective on ethical management and education in South Africa

Abstract

Integrity and consensus: A Christian perspective on ethical management and education in South Africa. In this article the compliance-and values-based approaches to ethical management are explained and the challenges of the contemporary business and societal contexts in South Africa noted. The need for both moral integrity and character (with respect to perception, intention and virtue) and ethical consensus is extensively discussed. The importance of ethical dialogue as a means of reaching moral consensus, and the contribution of public theology (particularly Christian theology) are assessed. Finally, vital issues relating to business ethics management and education are outlined and some practical possibilities suggested. Opsomming Integriteit en konsensus: 'n Christelike perspektief op etiese bestuur en opleiding in Suid-Afrika In hierdie artikel word voldoening-en waardegebaseerde benaderings tot etiese bestuur verduidelik en die uitdagings van die huidige sake-en sosiale kontekste in Suid-Afrika uitgewys. Die noodsaaklikheid vir sowel morele integriteit as karakter (met verwysing na persepsie, intensie en eerbaarheid) en etiese konsensus word breedvoerig bespreek. Die belangrikheid van etiese dialoog as 'n metode om etiese konsensus te bereik, en die bydrae van openbare teologie (veral Christelike teologie) word bepaal. Ten slotte word kernkwessies met betrekking tot etiese sakebestuur en-opvoeding aangedui en verskeie praktiese moontlikhede uitgewys.