INDIAN WISDOM TOWARDS ETHICS

&
INDIAN ETHOS TOWARDS BUSINESS
ETHICS
 Ancient Indian wisdom for
management
• The Indian civilization, with recorded history of more than
5000 years is one of the oldest civilizations in the world
and the contribution of India and Indians to this world is
enormous in various fields of knowledge including
management field also. Several classics such as Vedas,
purans, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata etc. offers
several managements lessons which can be useful even in
modern context.
 Principle of management as per
Indian wisdom
• Each soul is a potential god- every human being is
a part and particle of almighty god. His heart and soul is
directly attached to the divine power. Therefore every
human being has adequate power and energy for his self-
development. He can do anything and everything if his
efforts are for common good and excellence and god
always help people for their development.
• Holistic approach- holistic approach of
management refers the whole world as a union.
All the people are same. There is no difference
between them given from god. This is a concept of
Advaita. All people should be given equal
opportunity to develop and prove themselves.
• Equal importance to subjective and objective-
Indian ethos of management combines both
subjective and objective resources. Subjective
resource refer to ethical values and qualities as-
integrity, purity, truth, social awareness, courage,
vision etc. which are related to heart and soul.
Objective resource refers to materialistic things
as money, material, info etc.
• Karma yoga (selfless work) or Nishkaam
karma- human life is made to work. But this work
should not be only for self. Karma yoga refers to
selfless service to other. Once should work for
other, for society, for nation. With development of
society and nation, one will also develop.
• Yogah karmasu kaushalam( excellence of
work)- yogah refers to concentration for
excellence. Every work should be excellent. One
should work with determination and ability. It will
result in a smart work human head, heart and
soul should cooperate with hand. It will give the
qualities of wisdom worker.
• co-operation- co-operation refers to the collect
or teamwork. In this modern life, there is too
much competition for survival and growth. By
mutual help and cooperation one can achieve the
heights of human welfare and development and
this will lead a harmonious and peaceful life.
Indian Ethos in Management

'Indian Ethos in Management' refers to the values and practices

that the culture of India (Bharatheeya Samskriti) can contribute to
service, leadership and management. These values and
practices are rooted in Sanathana Dharma (the eternal essence),
and have been influenced by various strands of Indian
philosophy.
What is Indian Ethos For
Management?
It means application of principles of management revealed in our ancient
wisdom described in Upanishades and Gita. The following basic principles of
management are as per ancient Indian Wisdom and Insight :
– Each Soul is a Potential God
– Holistic Approach
– Equal Importance to Subjectivity/Objectivity
– Karma Yoga (selfless work)
 Components of Indian ethos

Indian believe:
• Ego sublimation rather than ego assertion
• Sacrificing spirit rather than fighting spirit
• Team achievement rather than individual achievement
• Spiritual attainment rather than material prosperity
Components of Indian ethos
• Self control rather than outside control
• Concept of duties rather than concept of rights
• Yielding rather than dominating
• Concern for this age world and improvement
• Respect for and search for all truth whatever be its source
Need of the Indian ethos
Management attitude

Humanizing organization

Interiorizing (self)

management Self

introspection

Brain stilling

Stepping back

Self dynamising
Insights into Indian ethos

Indian ethos provides that „Business‟ need not be regarded evil, tainted
and unethical. Business is sacred. It is a matter of attitude, approach and
level of management consciousness. One can do business, make money,
earn profit, build up property and even then it can be managed with due
recognition to human and ethical values and respecting all persons in the
enterprise and in the society as human beings. Indian ethos demands
subjective management system, giving due importance to virtues like
compassion, honesty, co-operation etc.
Managerial effectiveness
under Indian ethos in
management
Basic of
differenc
Western management Management Based on
Indian ethos
e
Belief Production, productivity, profit at any Material gain, with belief in achieving human
cost and social welfare also
Guidance Management guided by mind only, Management by consciousness power beyond
led away by ego and desire, mind, i.e., soul. Interiorized management
soulless management
Emphasis Worker development, management of Development of man, integrated growth,
others, profit maximization. Human harmony, happiness and health, Management
being given only lip sympathy of self
Tools 5Ms as resources- men, money, Men, machines, materials and methods as
materials, machines, markets. conscious partners all having consciousness
Science and technology information whether manifested or dormant. Information and
for decision marking intuition for decision.
Ethics and values combined with skills
Basic of Western management
difference
Proble Conflict resolution by
m negotiation, compromise,
solving arbitration, liquidation of
differences only for a temporary
period. No reference to higher
consciousness
Decisio Brain storming (round table
n approach)
making
Development Physical, vital and mental only.
Soul or spirit ignored. Material
development only, even at the
cost of man and nature
Approach External behavior. Mental,
material, selfish only- soulless
Management Based on Indian
ethos
Conflict resolution through integration
and synthesis on
stressing super ordinate common goals so
that enduring harmony and unity is
assured. Self introspection, stepping back
aids the search for solution
Brain stilling (entering the room of timeless
silence)
Integrated development, whole man approach,
breath
control and meditation emphasized.
Human enrichment and total quality
Noble attitudes. Inner guidance, team spirit,
total harmony, global good
Business ethos principles practiced by Indian
Companies
Indian companies are guided by certain rules of conduct in the form of ethical and moral standards.
Some
of the business ethos principles, practiced by Indian companies are listed below

1. Principle of `sacrifice’
An individual is trained by the principle of `sacrifice’ through the process of `give and take’ policy. A person,
who is willing to sacrifice part of his bread or effort, commands a superior place in the organization.
2. Principle of `harmony’
An individual is trained in such a way that to avoid conflicts and friction one should be
guided by certain set of moral conducts and principles.
3. Principle of `non-violence’
This principle protects an organization from strikes and lockouts and unnecessary
avoidable conflicts.
 4. Principle of `reward’
The one who performs well are encouraged to do so. This implies that the activities of individuals need
to be monitored and encouragement in the form of `rewards’ may cultivate the spirit of higher
productivity among groups.
5. Principle of `justice’
The one who works hard is `rewarded’ and the one who fails to do so is `punished’. This is essence the
principle of Justice.
6. Principle of `taxation’
The one who is taxed more is encouraged to stay fit for a longer period by proper appreciation
and encouragement. This principle applies to individuals who are hardworking and productive.
7. Principle of `Integrity’
An integrated mind is more productive. Groups are encouraged to stay united in order toreap the benefits of
division of labour.
Application of Indian Ethos to
Management

– Indian ethos provides that „Business‟ need not be regarded evil, tainted
and unethical. Business is sacred. It is a matter of attitude, approach and
level of management consciousness. One can do business, make money,
earn profit, build up property and even then it can be managed with due
recognition to human and ethical values and respecting all persons in the
enterprise and in the society as human beings. Indian ethos demands
subjective management system, giving due importance to virtues like
compassion, honesty, co-operation etc.
Quality of work life and Indian Ethos

Why work? – To purify my mind and heart and to become wise. To

provide public benefit.
What is work? – To nurture each other. My work is a for of yagna,
sacrifice. I develop the spirit of sacrifice. It is a worship of the Divine.
How to work? – With the spirit of renunciation, i.e.. Tyag and to serve
others. I must work without self-interest.
Spirits of work : Excellence in work. Perfection in work and quality of
output.