Search Results (54)

In the context of increasingly severe global climate change, both companies and investors are placing greater emphasis on investment philosophies centered around environmental protection, social responsibility, and corporate governance (ESG). This paper, based on data from 847 Chinese A-share listed companies over the period 2007–2022, employs a two-way fixed effects model to investigate the relationship between ESG controversies and firm investment efficiency. The results indicate that ESG controversies significantly reduce overall firm investment efficiency. Further analysis reveals that ESG controversies affect investment efficiency by exacerbating agency costs and reducing audit quality. Meanwhile, financing constraints and robust internal control quality mitigate these negative effects. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact is more pronounced for firms with higher pollution levels, non-state-owned enterprises, those with higher analyst coverage, and firms with lower levels of digitalization. The findings have significant implications for encouraging companies to fulfill their social responsibilities and promote high-quality economic development. Full article

With ongoing cyber threats stemming from persistent hacking attempts, relentless efforts are being made to prevent such threats at their source. Recently, the concept of “zero trust”, introduced by the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has emerged as a promising approach in this regard. Zero Trust (ZT) is not a standalone security solution but rather a framework of concepts aimed at achieving a higher level of security. It provides a paradigm that outlines the fundamental philosophy, core principles, and operational guidelines for enhanced security. While the guiding principle of “Never Trust, Always Verify” has gained widespread acceptance, many corporate security managers remain uncertain about how to implement ZT effectively. To address this challenge, this paper presents a security network designed to align with the corporate sector’s concept of security architecture based on the principles of ZT. Furthermore, it proposes and verifies a method to strengthen security using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Digital Rights Management (DRM). These technologies were selected because, among the various principles of Zero Trust architecture (ZTA), they effectively support centralized policy management and access control. This paper is expected to be effective in preventing related risks and contribute to building a more effective information security system that helps organizations combat increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Full article

The initial studies that connected accounting and sustainability concentrated on the shortcomings of traditional accounting as well as the boundaries of the underlying accounting philosophy, which typically emphasizes monetary, quantitative measures of corporate economic activity. Some authors believe that accounting has sought to respond to sustainable development in a variety of ways. This raises the question of the relationship between accounting and sustainability and the role of accounting in sustainability. The aim of the paper is to identify different ways of linking accounting with sustainability and to determine the contribution of the accounting profession to sustainable development. This study is based on information that was gathered through an extensive literature review (research publications and research studies [documents]) using internet and research databases and the authors’ own experience. Methods of analysis, comparison, selection, abstraction, induction, deduction, determination, and statistics were used. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. The identified correlation between “accountant” and sustainability, reporting, sustainable development, and responsibility highlights the importance of the accounting profession in promoting sustainability and fostering responsible practices. Also, a correlation between accountants and artificial intelligence was identified. Full article

This paper brings the analysis of epistemic injustices and the perspective of media philosophy into dialogue by proposing the new concept of medial epistemic injustice. After introducing the topic, the contribution confronts some metaphilosophical stances in light of the recent medial turn in order to suggest that, despite all their controversies, philosophers seem to agree that doing philosophy uniquely involves writing texts. This discussion sets the stage for the claim that institutionally sanctioned philosophy manifests a mono-genreism that only admits one particular kind of written text and a mono-medialism that excludes all media other than writing. Next, the relationship between non-verbal media and philosophy is examined more closely on two levels. First, it is emphasized how academic philosophy leaves no room for corporeal thinking and visual thinking; second, it is illustrated how this may harm some individuals, using the example of deaf people and visually oriented autistic people. The conclusion proposes a provocative Gestalt-switch: What if current “angelic” philosophical knowledge were itself atypical, exhibiting the traits of an aphantasic mind? Full article

In recent years, “environment, society and governance” (ESG) has attracted widespread attention. As an investment philosophy focused on long-term value creation and non-financial performance indicators, ESG addresses internal governance challenges and fosters high-quality economic and social development. This study uses panel data analysis of 9125 observations from 1305 eligible companies to examine the relationship between ESG ratings, financing constraints, corporate research and development (R&D), and total factor productivity (TFP). It focuses on heavily polluting enterprises listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares from 2012 to 2022. The findings show that (1) ESG ratings significantly impact TFP for the better, and (2) financial limitations act as a go-between for the ESG ratings and TFP connection, and (3) corporate R&D also serves as a mediator between ESG ratings and TFP. These findings offer valuable insights for shaping corporate ESG strategies, driving green transformation, enhancing productivity, advancing sustainable development, and supporting high-level environmental protection. Full article

The worldwide launch of neoliberalism ushered everyone into an atomized society. Neoliberalism transforms Homo sapiens into Homo economicus, a narcissistic self-entrepreneur that positions their body as a factory, skills as resources, and earnings as products while relying less on others. Such atomization of individuals undermines the community. Following the Cartesian moment, enlightenment, and postmodernism’s later wave, the world is disenchanted, deprived of unity in the form of community fragmentation. Foucault offered a Greco–Roman philosophical remedy for contemporary society, focusing on the formulation of ‘Spiritual-Corporality’ through the practice of care of the self. Foucault believed the one who takes good care of himself is often self-assured of his ability, expectations, and missions in relationships with others, he does not resort to tyranny in those relationships, giving him an ethical advantage in caring for his family and fellow citizens. If everyone strives to take care of themselves, the city-state will prosper. However, Foucault relied on Stoic philosophy over other ancient schools and failed to provide concrete practices on how to bind ourselves with others through care of the self. In partial agreement with Foucault, the present study chooses Hadot’s spiritual exercise as a more accurate terminology to justify Greco–Roman philosophies’ affordance to contemporary social unification. After reviewing the philosophies of Aristotle, the Stoics, and Epicurus, the present study selected the spiritual exercises of ‘hitting the mean as deliberation’, ‘reframing of self’, and ‘thinking outside the box’ as suitable practices for community flourishing. Full article

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be examined from the point of view of the fundamental philosophy of business and society, many companies focus solely on profit. The main goal of this research is the investigation of the relationship between CSR and organizational financial performance, and the role of customer satisfaction in the proposed relationship. To investigate the proposed relationships, PLS–SEM analysis was performed using the statistical software Smart PLS. The sample used for this study consists of 165 large companies that operate in the Republic of Serbia, each with more than 250 employees (large organizations). The obtained results showed that in companies in Serbia, there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between CSR and customer satisfaction and a positive but statistically insignificant relationship between CSR and financial performance. Regarding the mediating role of customer satisfaction in explaining the relationship between CSR and financial performance, a positive full mediation relationship was found. Theoretical and managerial implications are also provided. Full article

This study examines the evolving concept of human vulnerability within the context of globalization and contemporary societal complexities. Its aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of vulnerability’s proposed definition and its ethical relevance, particularly through an embodied ethical–theological lens. The research argues that this anthropological category when approached from an interdisciplinary perspective, reveals nuanced ethical dimensions essential for addressing contemporary challenges. Through the synthesis of insights from various disciplines, the study delineates the intricate interplay between corporeal experiences, affective states, and ethical considerations in understanding vulnerability. Interdisciplinary research methods were employed, drawing from theology, psychology, sociology, and philosophy. Grounding the inquiry in human experience and dialogues within different disciplinary narratives, the study explores vulnerability’s multifaceted nature and its implications for ethical engagement. The conclusions underscore the imperative role of theology in fostering ethical responses to contemporary dilemmas. By reframing vulnerability within an interdisciplinary and embodied framework, the research enriches ethical reflection and praxis, promoting human flourishing in a globalized world. Full article

In recent years, more and more research has focused on the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on business activities. Due to the existence of two different theoretical perspectives, shareholder value theory and managerial opportunism theory, the research on CSR has reached different conclusions. Meanwhile, the motivations for environmental investments in enterprises have received attention from scholars. However, there is a lack of empirical research on the relationship between CSR and environmental investment. Therefore, this study conducts a regression analysis on the external evaluation of CSR and enterprises’ environmental investment using data from Chinese listed companies. The empirical results show a significant positive relationship between the external evaluation of CSR and enterprises’ environmental investment. The mediating tests conducted based on information transmission and resource acquisition mechanisms explain the reasons for this promotion effect, supporting the shareholder value theory. Furthermore, our research finds that this promotion effect is more significant in non-state-owned enterprises, enterprises receiving fewer environmental subsidies, enterprises disclosing environmental philosophies, and enterprises identified as key pollution-monitoring units in reports. The research findings of this study are meaningful for clarifying the economic consequences of CSR and provide practical evidence for Chinese enterprises to understand the importance of environmental investment and the government’s advocacy for enterprises to proactively engage in environmental investment. Full article

This paper delves into the evolving post-pandemic business arena, focusing on how liability options and social norms are reshaping industry structures. We anticipate lasting transformations due to the emergence of new safety standards that bridge the gap between corporate interests and societal welfare. To foster these changes, effective post-lockdown economic policies could encompass not only rigorous social standards but also specific financial incentives. Examples of such incentives include tax relief for businesses implementing comprehensive health protocols and subsidies for those transitioning to remote work or modifying production layouts to minimize infection risks. Our analysis delineates two predominant operational frameworks for firms in this new environment: the liability and property regimes. These are determined by each firm’s financial outcomes and the extent of damages incurred, all measured against societal expectations. Firms within the liability regime may exhibit only partial compliance, often attributed to ambiguous standards and prevailing uncertainties, potentially leading to a dip in profits. In contrast, entities operating under the property regime are likely to engage in more extensive organizational restructuring. A key insight from our study is the paradigm shift in investment behavior, increasingly influenced by risk management, particularly in the strategic choice between liability and property rules. This shift is evident in how firms now prioritize managing potential external liabilities, such as environmental hazards or evolving regulatory landscapes, in their investment decisions. Consequently, the traditional growth-centric investment paradigm is being supplemented by strategies that emphasize safeguarding against various external risks, marking a significant realignment in corporate investment philosophies post-pandemic. This transition underscores the intricate interplay between economic policies, corporate strategies, and societal dynamics in the contemporary business milieu. Full article

Ecological thought and practice have a longstanding presence in the Daoist tradition, yet these principles are not adequately upheld in contemporary times. This can be attributed to two primary factors: firstly, adverse environmental conditions due to economic reasons have hindered the maintenance of a viable interconnection between humans and nature. Secondly, intense competition has impeded the preservation of human-to-human interconnections. In this regard, it is inappropriate to place the blame for ecological threats solely on the Daoist cultural sphere. Prior research has predominantly focused on Daoist ecological thought, often neglecting the real problems concerning ecological responsibilities and potential solutions. To address this, two theoretical bases were proposed. First, attention was given to the Daoist concept of “connection”, which emphasizes the relationship between humans and nature, and among humans themselves. As “connection” is a universal human concept, it carries significant weight even when discussed from a Daoist perspective. Second, through a critical reflection on “the myth of meritocracy” prevalent in Western discourse and the application of a “social model of disability”, understanding and assistance from developed countries were solicited. These theoretical underpinnings form the basis for advocating improvements within the fragile ecology of the Daoist sphere. Before criticizing the Daoist cultural sphere—often perceived as a global factory—it is crucial to confront the realities faced by both developed and developing countries and the disparities between corporate headquarters and impoverished factories. This study suggests that a portion of excessive profits should be invested in ecological improvement initiatives. This would enable entities within the Daoist cultural sphere to uphold its ecological thoughts and practices independently—an ethos deeply rooted in their long-standing practice of being one with nature. This philosophy is increasingly vital given our interconnected existence on Earth. Full article

This article presents a constructive dialogue between contemporary theological phenomenology and systematic theology. It considers the writings of the French phenomenologist Emmanuel Falque by offering a precis of his unique approach to “crossing” the boundaries of theology and philosophy. This methodological innovation serves as an intervention into contemporary theological phenomenology, which allows him to propose an overlooked dimension of human corporeality, what he calls the spread-body (corps épandu). Within the latter is embedded a conception of bodily existence that escapes ratiocination and is comprised of chaotic forces, drives, desires, and animality. The article challenges not so much this philosophical description but rather suggests that Falque’s theological resolution to this subterranean dimension of corporeal life consists in a deus ex machina that re-orders these corporeal forces without remainder through participation in the eucharist. It argues that Falque’s notion of the spread body can be supplemented theologically by an account of ‘affectivity’ that is distinguished from auto-affection, as in the case of Michel Henry, and which also gleans from the field of affect theory. This supplementation is derived from current research in systematic theology, which looks at the doctrines of pneumatology and sanctification to offer a more plausible account of corporeality in light of the Christian experience of the affective body. Full article

Europe has just established the first regulation for artificial intelligences. Large technology corporations and private educational institutions are already imagining neural networks educating us. Has anyone stopped to think about who, how and for what purpose we humans are going to educate machines? The Spanish critical pedagogy research team (PEDACRI), after participating in international conferences on digital education, robotics, ethics in the metaverse and cartography of hyperreality and participating in various publications on the challenges of pedagogy and ethics in the technologisation of educational processes, reflects in this essay on the challenges and questions we need to ask ourselves to imagine the post-human or trans-human community to come. Reviewing works coming from philosophy and those plays, series and films that address the future and the relationship between humans and machines, we analyse the opportunities and threats that can humanise machines or programme them as soulless weapons, which can civilise us or return us to a state of barbarism. The word robot, let us not forget, is derived from the Polish word roboca, which means “slave”. Will we be able, as the replicant in Blade Runner wonders, to programme silence? What can philosophy and pedagogy contribute to the ethical programming of algorithms? Full article

The pursuit of economic growth remains a consistent focal point in the development of nations. However, this heightened emphasis on economic expansion has precipitated a global environmental crisis (e.g., climate change, air pollution, etc.). Numerous countries have announced targets and commitments aimed at mitigating carbon emissions. Enterprises are the mainstay of economic development. In the context of low-carbon development, the current challenge faced by enterprises lies in transforming their business philosophy and value orientation to achieve a harmonious integration of economic growth and carbon emission reduction. Consequently, within the framework of sustainable development, the stability and developmental trajectory of enterprise value have emerged as prominent research subjects in recent years. As the concept of sustainable development gradually permeates society, there has been widespread attention from various sectors toward evaluating corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. This study focuses on listed companies in China’s manufacturing industry as the research subject. Drawing upon the principal–agent theory, stakeholder theory, upper echelon theory and tournament incentive theory, we aim to validate the feasibility of selecting a top management team that aligns with the characteristics of sustainable development during enterprise transition. By constructing a structural equation model and conducting hypothesis testing under the premise of limited rationality among top management, we explore how green incentives provided to top management impact both enterprise transition toward sustainability and enhancement of corporate value. Additionally, we investigate how demographic characteristics of top management contribute to amplifying the role of green incentives on corporate value. The results show that executive green incentives and top management team characteristics positively impact the corporate environment, social and government (ESG) performance and that implementing environment, social and government aspects can improve corporate value. Upon further analysis, it is found that there is a moderate degree of coupling between top management team characteristics and executive green incentives in promoting better ESG performance and enhancing corporate value. This study provides empirical evidence of the favorable economic outcomes associated with environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, which offers valuable insights for companies to consider when selecting and incentivizing executives, as well as for government departments aiming to enhance environmental, social and governance (ESG) incentive policies. Full article

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the theoretical discussion on the best way to define Corporate Social Responsibility. The methodology used is a bibliographic review through a search for articles in different catalogues (Redalyc, Ebsco, JStor, SAGE, Science Direct, and Springer), focusing on articles that addressed the study of definitions of this concept. The different ways of defining it are identified and analysed in order to find a definition can encompass all the others. The paper also proposes that locating this concept at the level of management philosophy (and not simply as a desirable or expected behaviour) facilitates the construction of agreements around a consensual definition, unlike under the predominant behavioural approach of its conceptualisation as corporate behaviour. The paper concludes by proposing to define Corporate Social Responsibility as a management philosophy based on the responsible management of the company’s operational externalities on stakeholders, society, and the environment. It is concluded that this definition contributes to the theoretical discussion, strengthens empirical research, and improves the application of Corporate Social Responsibility in the corporate world. Full article