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The Economy of Communion Movement as Humanistic Management

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Abstract

In this essay we will demonstrate that the Economy of Communion (EoC) movement provides a very good example of Humanistic Management (HM) as characterized by Domènec Melé in particular. EoC provides a unique lens through which to conceive of Humanistic Management which is extraordinarily person-centered, and which maps onto many of the key themes and principles of Humanistic Management practice. We will here present nine features of Humanistic Management which are clearly displayed in EoC scholarship and practice. We will show the commonalities of thought between EoC and HM through their parallel scholarly explanations of business practices, and also through concrete lived examples of EOC entrepreneurs. Our hope is that the Economy of Communion movement and businesses will become a fruitful source of study and investigation for further Humanistic Management research.

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Notes

  1. We attempt to explain this more below, but as Vocation of the Business Leader points out, “The Church calls upon business leaders to receive—humbly acknowledging what God has done for them—and to give—entering into communion with others to make the world a better place” (Dicastery 2018, 3) While Christians are called to this mindset, business naturally involves a stance of trust and gift which expects reciprocity—faith that the customer will pay for their meal (which they eat first), or that they will pay for the order or service call which they will be billed for. But when business provides more than the absolute requirements necessary or paid for, there is gratuity involved, and in nearly any truly human interaction, there is some gift.

  2. One recent example of this was when Bass Pro Shop purchased Cabela’s outdoor equipment company and simply closed down the Cabela’s headquarters, which was the lifeblood of the small Nebraska town of Sidney. See “Life After Cabelas: How Sidney Plans to Rebuild its Economy.” Site Selection Magazine, March 2018 https://siteselection.com/trustbelt/life-after-cabelas-how-sidney-plans-to-rebuild-its-economy.cfm..

  3. For a contemporary bibliography of EoC research in English, refer to Gustafson and Harvey (2020b).

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  1. Heider College of Business, Creighton University, Harper 4th fl, Omaha, NE, 68170, USA

    Andrew Gustafson

  2. College of St. Mary, Omaha, NE, USA

    Celeste Harvey

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Gustafson, A., Harvey, C. The Economy of Communion Movement as Humanistic Management. Humanist Manag J 8, 149–166 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41463-023-00151-x

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