For-profit activity and human value : are they compatible, and what can business do about it?

This paper reviews the relationship between the management of for-profit activity and human value. It draws from economic, social and political philosophy literature to investigate four perspectives on the relationship. Two of these perspectives are found to be of particular relevance and are evaluated in more detail. The paper identifies recommendations for management theory and practice regarding the scope and limits of action that could be taken by business organisations to improve human value. The need for management theory to develop a typology of factors determining positive, negative or mixed effects of for-profit activity on human value is identified, and preliminary suggestions are advanced.