This video was an amazing learning tool and made me think a little more critically. The
discussion he had was spot on, as it questioned how businesses can be operated under God. It
made me reflect on how businesses can fulfill God's purposes while maintaining profitability and
keeping their customers happy. In terms of management and organizational research, religion has
generally been regarded as a taboo subject (Van Buren et al., 2020). Religion has played a
significant role in most societies, and it continues to be relevant in almost every community.
Non-governmental organizations that seek to influence businesses have religious backgrounds,
and some of the leading shareholder activism efforts were carried out by religious groups (Van
Buren et al., 2020).
According to Van Buren et al. (2020), in the past few years, the number of companies
taking ethical actions has increased. Several factors have contributed to this phenomenon. First,
the rise of consumerism and income has forced organizations to develop differentiated products
and services. Companies have also started using corporate social responsibility (CSR) to improve
their brand image (Van Buren et al., 2020). Secondly, the rise of multinational corporations has
greatly increased their global reach and influence. As a result, they are now under increased
scrutiny and are required to perform in a more responsible manner (Van Buren et al., 2020).
Lastly, Due to the rise of social media and the spread of democracy around the world, companies
have become more scrutinized by their consumers (Van Buren et al., 2020).
According to Van Duzer, profit should not be your business's sole purpose. Instead, focus
on your company's mission. While a company can contribute to the community by creating
employment, it should always strive to do good and not harm. Instead of focusing on maximizing
profitability, businesses should prioritize their customers. According to him, good ethics are
essential for a successful business. He then stated that doing what God calls us to do will
inevitably cost us. That was such a powerful statement that resonated with me.
References
Van Buren, H. J., Syed, J., & Mir, R. (2020). Religion as a Macro Social Force Affecting
Business: Concepts, Questions, and Future Research. Business & Society, 59(5), 799–
822. https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650319845097
Reply
Hi Nicole,
I too was greatly impressed by how he explained his perspective on the Bible and how he sees
work as it relates to it. I came across an article by Van Buren et al. (2020), which stated that
religion has a significant and constitutive role in society's social environment. It should not be
regarded as a mere endorsement of its presence or an assumption of its positive effects. This
made me think of Van Duzer’s statement that sometimes what God calls you to do will cost you.
It should not be assumed that its positive effects are always guaranteed and that its negative
impacts are merely temporary. I also agree with you that even non-profit organizations whose
main goal is to serve their communities need to have a source of income to support their
operations. For me, as a nurse currently working for a non-profit hospital, our focus for next
fiscal year is to find ways to save money and bring in more revenue to service our low-income
patient population.
References
Van Buren, H. J., Syed, J., & Mir, R. (2020). Religion as a Macro Social Force Affecting
Business: Concepts, Questions, and Future Research. Business & Society, 59(5), 799–
822. https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650319845097
