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Confucian Virtue Ethics and Ethical Leadership in Modern China

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Abstract

Research on ethical leadership in organizations has been largely based on Western philosophical traditions and has tended to focus on Western corporate experiences. Insights gained from such studies may however not be universally applicable in other cultural contexts. This paper examines the normative grounds for an alternative Confucian virtue-based ethics of leadership in China. As with Western corporations, organizational practices in China are profoundly shaped by their own cultural history and philosophical outlook. The ethical norms guiding both the practice and theory of leadership in China are underpinned by indigenous Chinese wisdoms imbued in their own traditions and China’s collective psyche. Focusing on three fundamental aspects of Confucian virtue ethics: ren (仁 benevolence), yi (义 righteousness) and li(礼 ritual propriety), this paper proposes that an ideal Confucian leader regards self-cultivation as a first priority; status and material gain, whilst important, are not the foremost concern. S/he exemplifies the virtuous role model, exudes moral charisma and influences others by shaping an organization’s ethical culture through the process of ritualization. The paper concludes by claiming that amplifying the explicit discourse around Confucian virtue ethics will help contribute to the development of better ethical leadership in China.

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Notes

  1. Although arguably the Aristotelian virtue of practical wisdom (phronesis) is realized only as a socio-political practice amongst friends (the central motif of NE), this capacity is dependent on virtuous individuals.

  2. 2 This refers to the dao (the way) of human society instead of the dao of the natural world.

  3. 4 Note: Rong Desheng 荣德生 (1875–1952) was a Chinese national capitalist, philanthropist and national industrialist; Chen Guangfu 陈光甫 (1881–1976) founded the Shanghai Commercial Saving bank, which was the largest private bank during the republican period (1912–1949);Mo ouchu 穆藕初 (1876–1943) a famous cotton expert in the period of the Republic of China.

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Funding

Funding was provided by the National Social Science fund of China (17BZX110).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Philosophy, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China

    Li Yuan

  2. Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

    Robert Chia

  3. Business School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK

    Jonathan Gosling

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  1. Li Yuan
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Yuan, L., Chia, R. & Gosling, J. Confucian Virtue Ethics and Ethical Leadership in Modern China. J Bus Ethics 182, 119–133 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-05026-5

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