The World of Production and Consumption - Essay Example

To what extent do religious teachings impact upon attitudes towards sustainability in both production and consumption? Introduction The world of production and consumption can be considered as an important facet in the society. There are certain ways wherein the society can be perceived. In relation to such perception, the world of commerce, trade and industries being one of the components in the society is one of the main bases of the study on the application of the different theories in values and religion. The said application can be perceived as an essential field in business ethics. The importance of the study conducted on the relationship of the values as superimposed by the religious practices can be considered as one of the issues that attracts a considerable attention. This is in the specific aspects in the society such as the business and commerce. Such view is due to the fact that any field acts and works on the basis of accepted norms perceived as values. The main objective of the study conducted a focus on the effects of religious teachings and practices in the commencement and operation of business and industrial world. The Perception of Values Values are largely related to ethics, an acceptable set of actions often perceived through morality. This can often be measured through a virtue of positive projection. Business ethics are measures of perceived guidelines of application and course of action in the local and international business arena (Megone and Robinson, 2002). There are certain general concepts that can be considered essential. One of the important considerations in the study of business ethics is in relation to the religious practices that can affect the commencement and the values in business. The relationship of values and the operation of business and any aspect of commerce had developed to be one of the most important factors in the field. These values can be considered as included in the outer factors that serve as the major affective factors, which are referred to as the moral constraints in the operation of the business. These can be considered as the main factors that set up the standards in the operation of the system in relation to ethics (Megone and Robinson, 2002). In the given perspective the understanding of the conception of values as applied in the business is essential. The concept of values experienced an evolution through the course of history. This can be considered as an important development due to the fact that it is now recognized as one influential component in the field of economics. Though the concept was recognized to be a key factor in the commencement of business operation including the manufacturing and production, the moral environments and the impacts that can be brought about was not considered of importance. But through the course of history, there have been significant representation in cases of failure of industries on the basis of negligence in terms of giving importance in the role of values in organizations (van Deth and Scarbrough, 1998; Penalver, 1997). Upon the recognition of the significant effects of values in the commencement of the activities and operation of different industries and business establishments, the study and research conducted on the said area was improved. The dynamics that were not recognized in the early part of history were attributed to the affective force of values in the production in the different industries and other operations in the market. One of the observable results is the importance given to the human resources department. Presently, it can be viewed that morality and values can make a company. Values, at a modern perspective have an affective role in the society including the economic and the industrial aspects (Penalver, 1997). Upon the determination of the perception of the society on the role of values in the economy and the different industries, it is important to study the concepts related to values. Such process will enable the determination of the specific fields related to the ethics of business. One of the concepts that can be perceived to have a connection in the study of values is religion. The Perception of Religion Religion is one of the concepts that can be related to values and ethics. Business as the main focus of the study is the specific field under consideration regarding the effects on the production and operation. Religion can be considered to have an impact on the operation of the different systems in the economy such as business organizations and manufacturing companies. The importance and the influence of religion can be expressed in the roles that it can play in the society. One of the most significant manifestations of the significance of religion is the formalization of the right of the people to be able to practice any religion of their choice. The attention that the concept had achieved in the constitution is the main expression. Although the main objective of the constitution is to define religion and explicitly discuss the right to exercise such concept, definition of religion can be considered as a challenge (Epstein, 1998). In relation to the objectives of the study conducted, religion is perceived as the concept that can define the values and the ethical orientation of a person and the members of the organization. The influence of religion on the society was established. The influence of religion and religious teachings in the economy specifically the different industries and is the main focus of the study. Religion and the Field of Commerce an Industries In the field of economics under the constraints of the different organizations and enterprises, the importance of values and ethics can be considered as an acceptable notion in the modern society. Although this is the case, the establishment of governing principles is a challenge due to the fact that the most effective method in such study is descriptive. The study can be considered challenge due to the limited methods and even studies conducted on the area. The effects of religion can be considered as an accepted notion. Based on the norms of the society the role of religion is accepted even in the absence of significant studies (Dodd and Seaman, 1998). Although there is insufficiency in the study conducted regarding the exploration of the subject regarding the relationship of religion, which is an essential aspect of value systems, and the business arena, the role of religion and the considered importance in shaping the society is the main motivation in the study. Religion can influence the society significantly, thus, the effects of religious practices is important in the field of economy. There are different perceptions in the study of the effects. One of these is the study through the effects of religion in the society and another is the need to the system for the values related to the religious practices. Business as an Effect of Religious Practices One of the angles in the study of the effects of religious beliefs and practices in the establishment and operation of business and industries is having the religious organization itself inspires the operation of the business. This notion can be related to the outlook that the management of the business itself is the main calling and way of expressing devotion of the religions group (Chamberlain, 2004). The concept of business as a calling can be attributed to the social moral environment of the said organization. Given a particular religion such as catholic groups that aim to establish a company on the basis of set moral goals, there are different effects that can be attributed to the religious practices. Such effects may be advantageous or detrimental to the system (Megone and Robinson, 2002). The main issue related to the establishment of such businesses that are aimed to uphold the religious teachings regarding morality is the fight against different frauds occurring in the economic groups in the society. This is due to the increasing prevalence of business that operated illegally. One of the notions that are being considered in the proliferation of these types of organization is the establishment of moral foundations in the industries and companies to be able to uphold the true objectives of the company (Chamberlain, 2004). Although the intentions of the religious teaching are positive in nature, there are certain cases wherein there are problems that are encountered. These problems can be related to the profitability of the venture. It is important consider though that the main purpose of the application of values in business revolves around the notion that religious teachings serve as the main guidelines in the advocacy against the different industrial fraud and crimes. It can be noted that legal aspects are not sufficient in removing the taint of power abuse and other forms and other forms of problems that can be related to the moral aspect (Chamberlain, 2004; Stivers, 1979). The Trend in the Influence of Religious Teachings Based on different studies that were conducted, it can be perceived that the influence of religious belief became less. This effect is exhibited by the transformation of organizations and business systems on the main objective of profitability. The morality and the ethical angle of the business are considered as an ancient belief (Chamberlain, 2004; Stivers, 1979). The transition of development was recognized as being a vocation toward being an outside force, a concept of decreasing significance to the operation of the system. One of the examples that can be perceived is the development in the Catholic religion. If a business was included in the main objectives of the group terms such as being a “calling” or a “vocation” is referred to such projects. On the other hand, it is important to take into consideration the capital prowess and the profitability of the system (Chamberlain, 2004; Garvey, 2004). Religious practices can then have both the positive and the negative implications. Included in the positive aspects of application of religious beliefs is the motivation of the members of the organization to move at a unified decision making. These groups tend to be moved by the religious belief and the aim to bring success to the group. On the other hand, there are groups that oppose the influence of religion on the belief that it can hinder the success of the company. This view can be related to the view upheld by the advocates of capitalism. Upon in-depth consideration of the trend in the influence of religion in business, it can be surmised that there are differences on the perception of the different groups. The other group that advocates the influence and the need for religious practices in the operation of industries relates the increasing influence of the said concept in the development of the society. On the contrary, the group that perceived the negative effects of religion in operation refuse to recognize its influence in the system. Concept of Profitability If a business is operated by the religious group, the teachings and beliefs of the said group are inculcated within the system. This factor is needed to be taken into consideration. Such study is important due to the fact that companies have 2 major objectives to survive in the competitive market arena. One is through the methods of profitability. Another is taking into consideration the importance of values in the operation of the system. Upholding the ethical values and the profitability is ideal in a business system but an also be considered as a complicated challenge. It can be perceived that the operation of the system often involve weighing and balancing between the said concepts. The imbalance of the two concepts can cause detrimental effects to the company. If the management gives greater attention and importance to the profitability of the company, the tendency is to neglect the values that guides the decision making process of the company (Garvey, 2004) Too much focus on the religious beliefs of the system can lead to the hindrance in the development and profitability of the company. This can be attributed to the fact that some decisions that are needed to be made to be able to increase the profitability of the company though legal can be against the religious principles of the company. In the consideration of such cases it is important to consider the difference between the concepts of profitability and religion. Profitability is the target of any company while values and religion steers the way through decision making with the main difference in recognition of the influence of the religious beliefs and practices in the steps taken by the company. The Application of Religious Beliefs in Business To be able to study the success of the business and the different dynamics in operation of the system, there are factors that are taken into consideration. Included in the factors that are important in the systems can be studies through the presentation of a specific religious influence such as the Christian faith. A. The Influence of Catholicism in the Society On the basis of the teachings of different religions, differences in the perception for decision making process is the result. The Catholicism can be considered as one of the most influential religions in the society. The extensive influence of the church can be perceived not only in the industries but in politics as well. The church, the economy and the politics are the groups in the society that are considered to have an interdependent and have influence with one another (Harcourt, 1998). Taking consideration of this view, it can be recognized that the role of the religion is not limited in the economic field but in other key institutions in the society. It can then be surmised that religion is an important concept of influence. B. Catholic Teachings in Business Based on the study of the teachings of the Catholic Church, the importance in the decision making even includes the economic processes. The main teaching of the Church is theism which is the belief in God and His existence. This can be considered different from the beliefs of other religion on the presence of many gods or even the absence for other groups (Wishloff, 2004). One of the most important notions is in relation to creation of the people in the image of God along with the given stewardship over the resources in the world. These teachings are based on the main reference of the Catholic Church which is the bible. With these teachings the people were able to take hold of the confidence due to the notion that their decision through the guidance of God and their values will result to the attainment of the goal of the economy and the business establishment (Wishloff, 2004). Catholic teachings as compared to other religion can be considered to be relatively less complicated. As compared to other religion, it has lower ceremonies performed. Unlike Islam that are required to pray to Allah a number of times a day and the practice of religions in Asia to ask permission to the gods in every decision, the Catholicism’s main requirement is just to upheld the values and teachings of the Church in decision making (Epstein, 1998). Upon the study of the complexity of the Catholic teachings it is important to take into consideration that the teachings of the Church are deeply rooted in the traditions. Thus, it can be perceived that the influence of the teachings of the Church can vary depending on the integration of the teachings and practices in the local tradition of the locality where the business establishment is located. Implication of the Religious Beliefs In the study of the influence of the religious orientation of the leaders of an organization or even the faith upheld by the business system, it was known that the influence of the inculcated values cannot be neglected. Though the influence and the affective factor of these ethics and values were recognized, there is an important notion that is needed to be taken into consideration. A. The Close Interaction of Religion and the Business Organizations An important perception regarding religion and business ethics is the fact that the concepts themselves cannot be isolated from the system and the measurement of the reacting factors cannot be measured. They cannot even be clearly identified. It is the manifestations of such beliefs and values that can be observed to be able to determine these variables are present (Shapiro, 1989). This can only mean that the teachings of the church and its effects cannot be separated from the activities and the decisions undertaken by the company. This point of view can be the main reason for the lack of definitive studies on the possible effects of the varying effects of different religions in a system. Such reason limits the study of the effects of religion to descriptive and qualitative method. B. Religion and the Economy The relationship between religion and economics can be described on the basis of four different notions. One of these notions is the independence of religion from economics. It can be observed that both systems are completely functional in the absence of the other. Also, these concepts are of very different orientation. Another point of view is economics and industries as the manifestation of religious beliefs. In such cases, religious groups are the ones that established the business. Still another view is the application of religion to be able to guide the economic operation of business establishments. Lastly is the case wherein the objectives of the two systems are unified and the decisions that are made balanced the two concepts (Mueller and Welch, 2001). The perceptions of different groups in the society fall under any of the said points of view. Some regard the independence of religion from economic aspects of the society. On the other hand, there are groups that give importance to one concept over the other. One of the significant views regarded in terms of the relationship of economy and religion is the recognition of economy as a moral science. This is due to the fact that economy deals with the interaction and principles regarding the human population (Mueller and Welch, 2001). The importance of the interaction between the two concepts is the important and the most common view. There is a high variation of view regarding the relationship of the two notions due to the fact that there are presently lack distinctive studies regarding the specific interaction and the effects that can be attributed to the two concepts. In effect, the study related to the extent of the effects of the religious teachings in the operation of industries can be considered as a field that needs further in depth study. Summary and Conclusion The study that was conducted was mainly aimed to determine the effects of religious practices and teachings in the operation of different business establishments and industries. These are different obstacles that were met in the course of the study conducted. One of the main trials is the insufficient references on the area. This is due to the complexity of the concepts under study, the concept of religion and the concept of the economy within which the business establishments are included. Another is the subjectivity of the issue. The relationship and the effects of religion can be viewed on different ways. As a result, there is partition in the perception of the effects of religion. Based on the results of the study then, the interaction of the two concepts, religion and the operation of economic establishments it can then be surmised that there is a significant effect of the practice of religion in the economic system. The significance and the extent of the influence of religious practices in industries and corporations depend on the basis of the ways allowed by the policies and the system of the company itself. Thus, determination of the degree of influence can be considered as case specific mainly based on the policies of the company. References Buck, R. E. (1993) Protestantism and Industrialization: an Exami¬ Nation of Three Alternative Models of the Relationship Between Religion and Capitalism. Review of Religious Research, 34 (3), p. 210. Byrnes, J. F. 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