BUSINESS ETHICS AND

CORPORET GOVERNENCE
indianism and indian management
Tara Ali Beig
Indianism and Indian
management
Indianism means using Indian civilization
experience and intellectual traditions to develop
more relevant knowledge base and culturally
relevant theories. Intellectual tradition is very
vast. Certain broad streams of thought can be
identified and viewed as mini paradigms, which
would serve as a basis for developing new ideas
in the fields of relevant theories-social,
management and development.
Indian intellectual traditions:
Nine major different Indian intellectual
traditions have been identified, which provides a
number of concepts, frameworks and ideas to
the world of management. Each tradition may
differ depending upon the assumptions about the
nature of man and his interrelationship with
state, society and ecosystem, which have created
implications for administrators/managers

Indian intellectual traditions

1. Arthashatra.
2. Vedantic/psycho-spiritual.
3. Liberation from oppression
(LIFO)/Sharman.
4. Cyad vada (multiple perspective)
5. Gandhian.
6. Communism.
7. Confluncism.
8. Cultural nationalism.
9. OSHO.
1. Arthasastra tradition:
Artha means wealth or manorial
advancement. Kautilya is the architect of
arthasastra who gave primary to
materialistic dimension. It contains a no of
management ideas. It recognizes the
existence of the “law of fish” know as
“matra nayaya”. Where the stronger would
swallow the weak is recognized.
Kautilya provides a systematic treatment of
management and provides ideas that appeal
to modern day administrators/managers.
-Logical procedures and principles in
respect of labor organization.
-Wages paid, strictly in terms of quantity
and quality of work.
-Punishments for unnecessary delaying or
spoiling the work.
-Provides excellent insight to personnel
management, job description, and
qualifications for jobs, selection procedure,
execution development, incentive systems
and performance evaluation.
Kautilya’s contribution is considered one of
the most comprehensive works on
organization and management of human
affairs.

2.vedantic/psycophilosoph
ical tradition:
It deals with divinity-oriented view of
human nature.
- “Githa” provides an ideal of karma yoga,
a basis for human action. Each person has
the potential of infinity: it is possible to
harness this potential at the level of each
individual.
- In the modern age, Ramakrishna
paramahamsa and swami Vivekananda,
are considered as major contributors to
psycophilosphical tradition. According to
them, each soul is potentially divine: the
goal of life is to manifest the divinity
within through work or work ship.
This tradition emphasizes the value-based
approach to management and
administration. It goes beyond the dictum
 of “doing things right” and put emphasis
on “doing the right things”.

3.Liberation from
oppression:(LIFO)
Great saints are the contributors this
tradition, social reformers n=have drawn their
ideas from this tradition.
Survival of the weakest and survival of all life
norms-human and non-human-is the key
concern. It reflects the spiritualistic and
humanistic concern.
Here life means liberation from exploitation.
When work place becomes oppressive, the need
for liberation from oppression becomes vital.
4. Sydavada (multiple
perspective)
Theory of relativity of knowledge.
As per Jain tradition. The ‘syad’ or viewing
from particular viewpoint is not enough, but also
related other viewpoint is essential for arriving
at the final conclusion. Hence, problem must be
viewed from multiple perspective-recognizing
multidimensionality of the problem.
5. Gandhian
tradition:(based on theory
of contentment)
-Overall happiness or contentment is the key to
balanced human progress. There is enough for
everybody’s need.
-He criticized modernization, and gave number
of ideas that could serve as an ideology for
humanizing the work place.
-Provides a basis for the development of human
character-as a means of preventing value erosion
in society.
-Emphasizes on humanistic and harmonic
approach towards human and social
development.
-Swadesi as a basis for economic self-reliance.
6.Communism:
It considers ‘common man’ as the pillar of
social drive. Implies changes in the government
policies, as well as functioning of the
government. Under the directorship of the
masses. It suggests a holistic view of
development. Seen from the common mans
perspective in order to create a humanistic and
eco-friendly civilization.

7.Confluencism:
Confluence is meeting point (sang am) Rig-
Veda says that” let noble thoughts come to us
from every side”. Implies a creation of new
ideas as a result of interaction with different
ideas. Emphasizes the ability to assimilate ideas
and transform them creatively-give and take
processes between various cultures. Without and
explicit or implicit dominance, means a two way
process of flow of ideas.
8. Cultural nationalism:
It is a social-psychological worldview based
on the concept of a nations culture and self-
dignity as a basis for societies regeneration.
Gives primary to the cultural dimension and
long civilization experiences for periodic and
self-dignity of the individual society.

9.OSHO tradition:
This tradition is, ideas of Rajneesh who
rejected most of the current ideas of worldview
about man, state and society. He emphasized on
futuristic vision and hope for transformation of
society –now man who is an enlightened being,
capable of realizing his full potential by
liberation himself from the innumerable
programming techniques invented by modern
society. OSHO literature is very vast and
controversial.
 Conclusion:
Each tradition:
- Have positive and negative aspects.
- Antagonism exists between them.
- Provides conflicting viewpoints.
- Is historically rooted.
- Evolution is linked to socio-cultural
contexts and social issues.
- Still can contribute something.
Suggestions:
-Pick up ideas from various traditions.
-Attempt to arrive at an overall
framework for social, management and
development theories.
-Indianic framework could be viewed in
terms of various interrelated key theories
like:
1.economic theory of Swedish or
economic self-reliance.
2.political theory of people power.
3.spiritual theory of oneness of all
religions.
4.ethical theory of dharma.
5.work ethic theory of swadharma or
excellence in work.
6.kautilyas social justice theory of matsya
natya or protection of the weak.
7.social relationship theory of mutuality.
8.socil responsibility theory of liberty
coupled with duty.
9.cultura theory of confluences’ or
meeting point.