‘Other-wise’ Organizing. A Levinasian Approach to Agape in Work and Business Organisations

Abstract Humanistic management emphasises the importance of respecting humanity in and through meaningful work within organisations. In this paper we introduce a Levinasian approach to organising. Levinas argues that Other appeals us allows take responsibility towards – i.c. an employee, customer, supplier, etcetera. article our focus is on employees. By taking as starting point his reflections, helps transform organisation humans business Based concept alterity becoming susceptible appeal comes what refers ‘face Other’, argue philosopher calls for ‘an agapeic turn’ organisation. This turn means well-being employee needs, interests, ideas, expectations perceived by him or her should be at core As result, increased self-determination self-organisation allow both voice control over behaviour, actions contributions outputs outcomes one’s organisational unit. Through approach, concretize deepen traditional understanding agape, making it more relevant functioning setting. agape introduced analytical guides structuring effectuation human interaction