In search of a theory Gustav Schmoller on economic justice

a guide to present problems in business ethics?

Henk L. van Luuk

pp. 206-220

in: Peter Koslowski (ed), The theory of ethical economy in the historical school, Berlin, Springer, 1995

Abstract

During the last ten to fifteen years, business ethics as a discipline and as a practical competence has shown a solid growth, in the United States, and even more strikingly in Europe. Signs of scientific maturation are the number of university chairs in business ethics and corporate responsibility in Europe — the first one being founded in 1984, fifteen chairs existing today, with more to come —, three serious journals in the field — the monthly Journal of Business Ethics, the Business Ethics Quarterly, and Business Ethics. A European Review, next to a growing number of courses taught at universities and business schools, and a steady stream of books in various European languages. If we add to all this the Annual Conferences of EBEN, the European Business Ethics Network, in which academics and representatives of business meet to discuss ethical problems in business, plus EBEN's Annual Research Centres Meetings, where representatives of a growing number of research groups and centres present work in progress, and the EBEN National Networks, established in several European countries, and under construction in others, then it seems fair to say that business ethics is here to stay.